Garage door off track? Stop, secure it, then call
Updated October 2026
A garage door that's come off its track is one of the true emergencies. The door can twist, jam or fall, and the parts holding it are under tension. The best thing you can do is leave it alone, keep people away, and call for help.
Signs the door is off track
- One or more rollers sitting outside the track
- The door hanging crooked or tilted
- A gap between the door and the frame on one side
- Grinding or popping sounds before the door stopped
What usually causes it
- A car or object bumping the door or track
- A broken cable or spring that lets one side drop
- Worn rollers or loose track brackets
- Something left in the track
What to do right now
- Stop using the opener and unplug it.
- Keep kids, pets and cars away from the door.
- Don't pull the emergency release. The opener may be the only thing holding the door up.
- Don't try to hammer the track or push the rollers back in.
- If the door is stuck open, secure the door between your garage and house.
- Call a garage door company and say the door is off track. Most treat it as a priority call.
What the repair usually involves
The technician will release tension safely, straighten or replace bent track, put the rollers back, and check cables and springs. If a broken cable or spring caused the problem, they'll replace it too.
Find a 24/7 garage door company near you, or read how to tell if it's an emergency.