What to Do When Both Garage Door Cables Snapped
- Nate Jones
- Nov 20
- 12 min read
It might seem like a freak accident, but it’s surprisingly common to find that both garage door cables snapped at the same time. Since they were installed together, they’ve done the exact same amount of heavy lifting over the years. They share the load equally, so they tend to wear out at the same rate. When one finally gives way, the sudden extra strain on the other is often too much to handle. While the sight of a jammed or crooked door is alarming, it’s usually just a sign that your system’s parts have reached the end of their lifespan. Here’s what causes this double failure and what to do next.
Key Takeaways
- Stop Everything and Secure the Area
: If a cable snaps, your first move is to stop using the door entirely. Don't touch the remote or try to lift it yourself. The most important step is to keep family and pets away from the area until a professional can safely handle the situation.
- This is Not a DIY Project
: Garage door springs are under extreme tension, and attempting to replace a cable without proper training and tools is incredibly dangerous. Always call a professional to prevent serious injury and ensure the repair is done correctly.
- Think in Pairs for Long-Term Savings
: When one cable fails, the other has endured the same amount of wear and is likely to break soon. Replacing both cables at the same time is the most cost-effective solution to prevent another service call and keep your door running smoothly.
Your Garage Door Cables: What They Do and Why They Matter
When you think about how your garage door works, the powerful springs probably come to mind first. They do the heavy lifting, after all. But the springs can’t do their job without a critical partner: the garage door cables. These high-tension steel cables are the unsung heroes of the system, responsible for safely and smoothly guiding your door up and down its tracks every single time you press that button.
Think of them as the link between the spring’s power and the door’s movement. When a cable fails, the entire system is compromised, often leading to a door that’s crooked, stuck, or completely inoperable. Understanding what these cables do and how to spot trouble is the first step in preventing a major headache—and a potentially dangerous situation—down the road.
How Cables and Springs Work Together
Your garage door’s springs and cables are a dynamic duo. The springs store an immense amount of energy needed to lift a door that can weigh hundreds of pounds. The cables are what channel that energy effectively. As the door opens, the springs unwind, and the cables, which are wrapped around a drum, pull the door upward evenly on both sides. When the door closes, the cables carefully guide it back down as the springs re-tension.
This partnership is what keeps your door balanced. Without two functioning cables, one side would move without the other, causing the door to jam, go crooked, or even fall out of its tracks. This synchronized system is essential for the safe operation of all types of residential doors.
Cables rarely snap without giving a few warning signs first. Being able to recognize these red flags can save you from a much bigger problem. If you notice your door squeaking, shaking, or just acting strangely, it’s time to take a closer look. A failing cable is a serious issue that needs prompt attention.
You likely need a repair if you see any of these signs:
One side of the garage door is hanging lower than the other.
The door is stuck open or closed, or it has come off its tracks.
You can see visibly frayed, loose, or hanging cables near the top of the door.
The garage door opener motor sounds like it’s straining to lift the door.
If you spot any of these issues, it’s a clear signal that your cables are under stress and could fail completely. Don't wait for a loud snap—it's best to contact a professional for an inspection.
Why Did Both My Garage Door Cables Snap?
Seeing one snapped garage door cable is bad enough, but finding both have failed can be alarming. You might wonder if something catastrophic happened, but it’s usually less dramatic than it looks. Since both cables were likely installed at the same time, they’ve been subjected to the exact same amount of work and environmental stress. When one gives out, the other is often not far behind. The failure of the first cable also puts immense, sudden strain on the second, which can cause it to snap almost immediately. Let’s walk through the common reasons why your garage door cables might have failed together.
Everyday Wear and Tear
Your garage door is heavy, and the cables do the hard work of lifting and lowering it thousands of times over the years. Just like anything that’s constantly under pressure, cables get weaker and fray over time from all that use. Each cycle of opening and closing contributes to metal fatigue. Because both cables share the load equally, they wear down at virtually the same rate. So, it’s not a coincidence that they would fail around the same time—it’s a sign that they’ve simply reached the end of their functional lifespan together. This is the most common culprit behind a double cable snap on both residential and commercial doors.
Installation and Maintenance Mistakes
A garage door system is a finely tuned machine. If the cables weren't installed perfectly, they will wear out much faster. When cables are misaligned, improperly secured, or adjusted to the wrong tension from the start, it creates constant, uneven stress. This strain will eventually cause them to fail prematurely. A lack of routine maintenance can also play a big role. Without periodic inspections and lubrication, small issues like fraying or rust can go unnoticed until it’s too late. Getting a professional installation from a trusted team is the best way to ensure your system is set up for a long, safe life.
Damage from Rust and Corrosion
Your garage is a battleground of changing temperatures and moisture, and your metal garage door cables are on the front lines. Humidity, rain, snowmelt, and road salt brought in by your car can create the perfect environment for rust and corrosion. As rust forms on the steel cables, it eats away at the metal, weakening the individual strands and making them brittle. Since both cables are exposed to the same conditions inside your garage, they will corrode at a similar pace. Here in Ohio, with our humid summers and icy winters, this process can happen faster than you might think, leading to a sudden and unexpected break.
Too Much Tension or Weight
Balance is everything when it comes to your garage door. The cables must have just the right amount of tension to function correctly. If they are too tight, they’re under constant strain that can lead to a snap. If they’re too loose, they can slip off the pulley drums and get tangled, creating a sudden jerk that can break them. Another common scenario is a spring failure. The springs are what do the actual lifting; the cables just connect that force to the door. If a spring breaks, the cables are instantly forced to support the door's full weight—a load they were never designed to handle. This sudden, immense pressure is often what causes both cables to snap at once. If you suspect a tension issue, it's best to contact a professional right away.
Both Cables Snapped? Here's What to Do Right Now
Hearing a loud bang from the garage followed by the sight of a crooked or fallen door is alarming. When both garage door cables snap, the entire system is compromised, making it unstable and dangerous. I know your first instinct might be to figure out how to get the door closed, but your immediate priority should be safety. Don't panic. By following a few clear, simple steps, you can manage the situation safely until a professional can take over. This isn't just about fixing a door; it's about protecting your family and your property from further damage or injury. Let's walk through exactly what you need to do, right now.
First Step: Stop Using the Door Immediately
This is the most important rule: do not try to operate the garage door. Don't touch the wall button, don't use the remote, and absolutely do not try to lift it manually. If a cable has snapped or is even just fraying, you need to stop using the garage door right away. With both cables gone, the heavy springs have lost their connection to the door, meaning nothing is controlling that immense tension. The door's weight, which can be hundreds of pounds, is no longer supported correctly. Trying to move it could cause it to crash down suddenly, leading to serious injury or significant damage to the door, your car, or your home.
Clear the Area and Secure the Door
Your next priority is to make the area safe. Move your cars out of the garage if they aren't parked underneath the door. Get any bikes, tools, or storage bins out of the door's path. Most importantly, make sure children and pets are kept far away from the garage until the door is repaired. If the door is stuck in a partially or fully open position, it creates a security risk for your home. Resist the urge to try and force it down. Instead, lock the interior door that leads from your garage into your house and wait for professional help. Securing your home from the inside is the safest way to handle the situation.
When to Call a Professional Immediately
This is a job for the experts, period. Garage door cables and springs are under extreme tension, and attempting a repair without the right training and tools is incredibly dangerous. Trying to fix a broken garage door cable yourself can lead to severe injury. When you call a professional, they will not only fix the immediate problem but also inspect the rest of your system—including the springs, rollers, and tracks—to ensure everything is working correctly for the long haul. Whether you have a residential or commercial door, getting an expert on-site is the only safe solution.
Why You Shouldn't DIY a Snapped Cable Repair
When something breaks at home, the urge to fix it yourself can be strong. I get it—a quick YouTube search and a trip to the hardware store often does the trick. But a snapped garage door cable is a completely different beast. This is one of those jobs where trying to save a few bucks can cost you dearly, not just in money for more extensive repairs, but in serious personal injury. The entire garage door system is under extreme tension, and one wrong move can have dangerous consequences. Before you even think about grabbing your toolbox, let’s walk through why this repair is strictly for the pros.
The Dangers of High-Tension Springs
The most critical reason to avoid a DIY cable repair is the garage door springs. Whether you have torsion springs (a bar above the door) or extension springs (on the sides), they are wound incredibly tight to lift a door that weighs hundreds of pounds. When a cable snaps, that tension becomes unstable. Trying to replace the cable without knowing how to safely release and reset this tension is incredibly risky. Professionals often compare these loaded springs to "undetonated bombs" because if they release unexpectedly, they can cause severe injuries, concussions, or worse. Our team of technicians has the training to handle this potential energy safely.
It Takes Specialized Tools and Expertise
Fixing a snapped garage door cable requires more than just a wrench and some pliers. Professionals use specific tools like winding bars to safely adjust torsion springs and cable pullers to get the right tension. Beyond the tools, it takes a deep understanding of how the entire system works together. A technician knows how to diagnose the root cause of the break, ensure the door is properly balanced, and check that the tracks are aligned. You can see the precision this work requires in some of our repair videos. Without this expertise, you could easily miss a critical step, leading to another failure soon after your attempted fix.
What a Professional Repair Looks Like
When you call a professional, they do more than just slap on a new cable. A thorough technician will inspect the entire garage door system. They’ll likely recommend replacing both cables at the same time. Since both cables were installed together and have endured the same amount of stress, the second one is probably not far from snapping, too. This preventative step saves you from another breakdown in the near future. They will then properly thread the new cables, balance the door, and test it multiple times to ensure your residential garage door opens and closes smoothly and safely.
Avoiding Further Damage from DIY Mistakes
An improper cable repair can cause a cascade of other problems. If the cables aren't tensioned equally, the door will lift unevenly. This can cause it to jam in the tracks, potentially bending the tracks or damaging the door panels themselves. An unbalanced door also puts immense strain on your garage door opener, which can burn out the motor. What started as a broken cable can quickly turn into a much more expensive repair involving tracks, panels, and the opener. To prevent these headaches, it’s always best to have a professional handle the job right the first time. If you're facing this issue, it's best to contact us right away.
What to Expect: Repair Costs and Prevention Tips
Dealing with snapped garage door cables is stressful, but knowing what comes next can make the process much smoother. Once you’ve called a professional, you’ll want to have an idea of the repair costs and, more importantly, how to keep this from happening again. Let's walk through what you can expect for the repair and how a little prevention can go a long way.
What Does Cable Replacement Cost?
When it comes to budgeting for a repair, transparency is key. Generally, a professional garage door cable replacement will cost between $150 and $400. If only one cable needs to be replaced, you can expect the cost to be in the $150 to $250 range. However, if both cables are replaced at the same time, the cost is typically between $200 and $400. This price covers the new cables and the expert labor required to install them safely. To help with unexpected expenses, we always offer valuable coupons to make your repair more affordable.
Save Money in the Long Run: Replace Both Cables
If one of your garage door cables snaps, it might seem practical to replace only the broken one. However, we almost always recommend replacing both. Think of it this way: both cables were installed at the same time and have endured the same amount of stress and wear. When one fails, the other has been carrying an extra load and is likely not far behind. Replacing both cables at once is more efficient and saves you money on a second service call in the near future. It’s the best way to ensure your door operates smoothly and safely for years to come.
Simple Maintenance to Prevent Future Breaks
The best way to deal with a broken cable is to prevent it from breaking in the first place. A little routine maintenance can make a huge difference. You can help extend the life of your cables by lubricating all the moving parts of your garage door system to reduce friction and strain. Beyond that, scheduling regular professional maintenance is a fantastic investment. A trained technician can spot early signs of wear, make adjustments, and ensure everything is working correctly, saving you from the headache of an emergency repair. Our team has the expertise to keep your door in top condition.
How to Inspect Your Cables and Spot Trouble
You don’t have to be an expert to keep an eye on your garage door’s health. A quick visual inspection every six months can help you catch problems before they escalate. Take a look at the cables on both sides of your residential door. Look for any signs of fraying, rust, or other visible damage. You should also pay attention to how your door operates. If you notice one side is hanging lower than the other, the door is moving unevenly, or you hear a sudden loud snapping sound, it’s time to contact a professional right away.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal for both garage door cables to snap at the same time? Yes, it’s actually quite common. Since both cables were installed together, they’ve been doing the exact same amount of work for the same amount of time. They wear down at a nearly identical rate from use and exposure to moisture. When the first one finally gives out, it transfers the door's entire weight onto the second cable, which is often enough to make it snap almost immediately.
Can I open my garage door manually if a cable has snapped? No, you should never try to open or close the door—manually or with the opener—if a cable has snapped. The cables and springs work together to manage the door's immense weight. Without the cables, the door is unstable and can come crashing down without warning. The safest thing to do is to clear the area and call a professional right away.
How can I tell if it's just the cable or a bigger problem like a broken spring? It can be difficult to tell because a broken spring often causes the cables to snap. The clearest sign of a broken torsion spring is a visible gap in the spring coil above your door. However, both issues result in a door that won't operate correctly. A professional technician can quickly diagnose the root cause and determine if other parts were damaged as a result.
How long does a professional cable replacement usually take? A straightforward cable replacement is a relatively quick job for a trained technician. In most cases, the repair can be completed in about an hour. This includes replacing both cables, checking the spring tension, balancing the door, and performing a full safety inspection to make sure everything is working smoothly.
How often should I get my garage door serviced to prevent cable breaks? Scheduling a professional tune-up once a year is the best way to prevent unexpected problems like a snapped cable. During a service call, a technician will inspect the cables for wear, lubricate all moving parts, check the door's balance, and make any necessary adjustments. This small investment can save you from a much bigger headache down the road.
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