Why Is My Garage Door Opening Crooked?

Is your garage door opening crooked, unevenly, or at an angle? Well that is usually a sign that something in the garage door system is worn, damaged, or out of alignment. While it may still move at first, continuing to use a crooked garage door can put extra strain on the opener, tracks, cables, springs, and rollers. Below are some of the most common causes and what homeowners should know before trying to use the door again. A garage door opening crooked can be caused by worn rollers, damaged cables, bent tracks, or broken springs.

What Causes a Garage Door Opening Crooked?

A garage door relies on several parts working together at the same time. Springs, cables, rollers, tracks, and the opener all help the door move smoothly and evenly. If one of those parts fails or starts wearing down, one side of the door may move faster than the other, causing the garage door to open crooked.

Broken or Damaged Garage Door Cables

Garage door cables help lift and lower the door evenly. If one cable becomes frayed, loose, or breaks completely, the door may start lifting higher on one side than the other. This can make the garage door look crooked and may eventually cause it to get stuck or come off track.

Worn or Damaged Rollers

Rollers help your garage door move along with tracks. When rollers become worn, cracked, or damaged, the other may shake, drag, or move unevenly. In some cases, bad rollers can make one side of the door move slower than the other.

Bent or Misaligned Tracks

Your garage door tracks guide the door as it opens and closes. If a track is bent, loose, or out of alignment, the door may not move evenly. This can cause the garage door to open crooked, scrape against the track, or stop before fully opening.

Broken or Weak Garage Door Springs

Garage door springs carry much of the door’s weight. If a spring breaks or starts losing tension, the door may become heavy, unbalanced, or uneven while opening. Spring problems should always be handled by a trained garage door technician because of the tension involved.

Can I keep Using a Garage Door That Opens Crooked?

It is best to stop using the garage door until the problem is inspected. A crooked garage door can put extra stress on the opener and other parts of the system. Continuing to use it may turn a smaller repair into a larger and more expensive issue.

When Should You Call a Professional?

If your garage door is opening crooked, making loud noises, shaking, or getting stuck, it is time to schedule professional garage door repair. A technician can inspect the cables, springs, rollers, tracks, and opener to find the source of the problem and restore safe operation.

Final Thoughts

A garage door opening crooked is not something homeowners should ignore. Whether the issue is caused by damaged cables, worn rollers, bent tracks, or spring problems, getting the door inspected early can help prevent further damage. If your garage door is opening unevenly, Coney’s Garage Doors here in Arkansas is here to help with professional door repair and service around Conway, Fayetteville, and Hot Springs areas.