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Garage door stuck open or closed
A door stuck open leaves your garage insecure. One stuck shut can trap your car. Here are the safe things to check first, and when to call in a specialist.
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Safe checks you can do
- Electric door: check the power at the socket and fuse, and the remote battery. Look for anything blocking the photocell sensors at the bottom of the opening, and wipe the lenses.
- Power cut: most electric doors have a manual release. Use it only as the manufacturer's instructions describe, and only if the springs and cables look intact.
- Lock: on a manual door, make sure the lock is fully released.
- Obstructions: look for stones, debris or ice in the tracks or along the bottom edge.
Stop and call a specialist if…
- You heard a bang, or a spring or cable is visibly broken or slack
- The door is crooked, off its tracks or dropping
- A motor is humming but the door doesn't move
Don't force the door or prop it with anything. A door that's off balance can drop suddenly.
Common causes
The most common causes are a broken spring, a snapped or slack cable, bent tracks or worn rollers, a seized lock, or an electric fault such as a misaligned sensor or a failed motor or control board.
Cost
The cost depends on the cause. Checkatrade puts a general repair at £40–£120 and a spring repair at about £75 on average. Out-of-hours call-outs typically add £50–£150 (No1 Garage Doors).
Sources: Checkatrade, garage door repair cost (updated May 2026); No1 Garage Doors, spring replacement cost UK (2026). Typical ranges only, checked 24 October 2026. Your quote will depend on your door and garage.
Common questions
My electric garage door is stuck closed and my car is inside. What can I do?
Check the power and remote battery first. Most electric doors have a manual release for power cuts. Use it only following the manufacturer's instructions, and only if the springs and cables look intact. If not, ask a specialist.
Why is my garage door stuck halfway?
Common causes are a broken spring or cable, an obstruction or bent track, or an electric door's safety sensors or force limits stopping it.
Is a garage door stuck open an emergency?
It can leave your home or belongings insecure, so it's worth getting it looked at quickly. Choose 'Urgent' in the form. We can't guarantee same-day availability.
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