Garage Door Only Opens a Few Inches
Why does my garage door only open a few inches and then stop?
What is actually causing it
Most likely first, based on what our crews find on the call.
01Broken torsion spring
The textbook presentation. Without the spring the opener is lifting the door's full dead weight, the force limit trips almost immediately, and you get two to six inches of travel. Do not keep pressing the button — you will strip the opener's gear on top of the spring bill. This is a technician repair; wound springs are lethal to work on without the right bars and training.
Do not attempt this yourself. It is under spring or cable load and it injures people every year — this one is a licensed-technician job.
02Manual lock or slide bolt engaged
A thrown latch lets the door rise only as far as the play in the panels allows. Check the side latch bar first — it costs nothing and it is occasionally the whole answer.
Safe to check yourself, with the door closed and the opener unplugged.
03Door frozen or stuck to the slab
Bottom seals bond to concrete overnight in cold, damp conditions. The door breaks free an inch and stops. Warm the seal, do not force the opener.
Safe to check yourself, with the door closed and the opener unplugged.
04Cable wrapped or bound on the drum
A cable that has jumped a groove binds within the first few inches of travel. Under tension, and not a homeowner job.
Do not attempt this yourself. It is under spring or cable load and it injures people every year — this one is a licensed-technician job.
05Up-force limit set far too low
Occasionally the springs are fine and the setting is simply wrong — usually right after someone else worked on the unit.
Do not attempt this yourself. It is under spring or cable load and it injures people every year — this one is a licensed-technician job.
06Obstruction at the bottom of the tracks
Look for something wedged under a roller or against the bottom of the door before assuming a spring.
Safe to check yourself, with the door closed and the opener unplugged.
Need this fixed today?
Need this fixed today? Find your city.
Pick your city and you land on the spring crew that covers it — with its own dispatch number, its own hours and its own price band. Or skip the reading and call now.
Not listed, or the box does not suggest anything? Every market below is a link.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my garage door only open a few inches and then stop?
Is this safe for me to fix myself?
How much will the repair cost?
Are you licensed?
Describe the noise. We will tell you what broke.
Most calls are diagnosed in under two minutes, with a price range before anyone drives out.
CA-GARAGEDOOR California — California contractor licence CSLB #1098234. Licensed, bonded and insured. 1-year parts & labor.