Loose or slipped cable
One side loses lift support.
Springs and balance
Garage Door Is Uneven on One Side
A door that sits lower on one side usually has a cable, spring or drum problem. It may bind, jam or come off track, so it needs prompt attention.
Short answer
Check from a distance for a loose cable, a broken spring or a door that is twisted in the opening. Stop using the opener and keep people away. A technician will secure the door, fix the cable or spring and rebalance it.
Likely causes
Broken spring
On two-spring doors, one side may drop.
Drum slippage
A drum that slips on the shaft winds cables unevenly.
Uneven floor
The slab may make the door look uneven when closed.
An uneven door puts all the load on one cable and one side of the springs, which can quickly damage drums, bearings and the bottom brackets. If the door is uneven only when closed, an uneven floor may be part of the picture; if it tilts while moving, the cause is almost always mechanical. Photos of both sides of the door, especially the cable drums above the door, help the provider understand the situation before arriving.
Safe checks you can make
- Look for loose cables
- Check for spring gaps
- Compare the gap at each end when closed
Stop and call a technician if
- The door tilts while moving
- A cable or spring is broken
- The door binds
What a technician may inspect
- Cables and drums
- Springs
- Tracks
- Floor contact
Describe what the door is doing when you call. A provider may ask follow-up questions, but a reliable price normally needs an on-site look rather than a phone-only quote.
Services that address this problem
Garage Door Cable Repair
On a torsion system, cables wind around drums at each end of the shaft.
Garage Door Balance Adjustment
Springs are sized and tensioned to offset the door's weight.
Garage Door Off-Track Repair
Doors usually come off track after a vehicle bump, a broken cable, a worn roller or a misaligned track.
Frequently Asked Questions
A loose or slipped cable, a broken spring or a slipping drum are the most common causes.
No. An uneven door can jam, come off track or fall. Stop using it.
An uneven slab can make a closed door look crooked, but if it tilts while moving, the cause is mechanical.
Usually yes, so the cables match in length and wear and the door stays level. The drums and bottom brackets are checked at the same time.
Yes. A tilted door binds in the tracks, which adds strain to the opener and can bend the rail or strip the drive gears over time.
It should be handled promptly. An uneven door is unsafe to operate and the damage to cables, drums and tracks tends to get worse with each cycle.
Get your garage door working safely again
Call to schedule a technician visit with an independent provider who serves your area.