Chamberlain Door Spring or Counterbalance Failure

Garage door opens only a few inches and then stops.

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

Broken torsion or extension spring, Cable off drum, Door severely unbalanced, Opener force limit reached

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: A broken spring or cable is extremely dangerous. Do not attempt to repair or adjust springs or high-tension cables yourself.

Steps to fix:

  • Disconnect opener: Pull the emergency release and attempt to lift the door by hand. If it is extremely heavy or will not lift, the springs or cables have likely failed.
  • Inspect from a safe distance: Look for a visible gap in torsion springs or hanging/broken cables. Do not touch or manipulate them.
  • Do not increase opener force: Do not try to compensate by turning up the opener force; this can damage the opener and is unsafe.
  • Call a professional: Contact a qualified garage door technician to replace springs or repair cables. After repair, reattach the opener and test.
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Repair Difficulty

Professional Required 5/5

Required Part

Garage Door Springs / Lift Cables
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