Garage door problems
Why your garage door won't open
A UK garage door that won't open is commonly a flat remote battery, a tripped operator circuit breaker, or a broken spring. Springs carry the door's full weight — 40–70kg or more on a sectional door — so a snapped spring makes the door feel immovable and unsafe to force. Spring replacement typically costs £150–£350 and needs an engineer.
Start with the checks that cost nothing, then move to the ones that need a look at the mechanism from a safe distance.
Power and remote checks
The most common no-cost cause is a flat remote battery or the operator simply not receiving power — check a wall socket hasn't tripped, an extension lead hasn't come loose, or (on some installations) a nearby RCD hasn't tripped for an unrelated reason. Try a second remote or the wall-mounted control if one is fitted before assuming a mechanical fault.
Listen to the operator
If the operator hums or clicks but the door doesn't move, that points to a mechanical jam or a broken spring rather than an electrical fault — the motor is trying to lift a load it can't manage. If the operator is completely silent, suspect the power supply, the operator's fuse, or a tripped thermal cut-out after heavy use.
Broken springs — the most serious cause
UK up-and-over doors typically use canopy gear (springs mounted across the top of the frame, doors up to roughly 2438mm wide) or retractable gear (springs running along both sides, used on wider single doors and mandatory on doubles). Sectional doors use torsion springs mounted above the opening. A snapped spring on any of these means the door's counterbalance is gone — it will feel extremely heavy, may hang unevenly, and should not be forced open by hand or by the operator.
Frozen or seized mechanism
In UK winter conditions, moisture that has worked into the tracks or hinges can freeze overnight, effectively locking the door shut. This is common after a wet spell followed by a hard frost and usually resolves once the ice melts or is carefully cleared — do not force the operator repeatedly against a frozen door, as this can burn out the motor.
| Cause | DIY fixable | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Flat remote battery / signal fault | Yes | £0–£20 |
| Broken spring (pair) | No | £150–£350 |
| Operator repair or replacement | No | £180–£500 |
| Snapped cable | No | £120–£250 |
Prices include VAT. A call-out fee of £40–£80 may apply on top. Out-of-hours emergency call-outs add £50–£150.
Step by step
1.Check power and the remote
Swap the remote battery, try a second handset, and confirm the operator has power at the socket.2.Look at how the door sits
From a safe distance, check whether the door is level and sitting square in its frame, or visibly dropped on one side.3.Check for a snapped spring
Look at the spring(s) — on canopy gear across the top of the frame, on retractable gear along the sides, or the torsion spring above a sectional door. A visible gap in the coil confirms a break.Safety: Do not attempt to open a door with a broken spring by hand or by forcing the operator, and never attempt to replace or re-tension a spring yourself. Springs under UK garage doors store enough energy to cause serious injury or death — this is always an engineer job.
4.Book an engineer if the fault is mechanical
A broken spring, cable, or a jammed operator needs a trade visit. Expect a call-out fee of £40–£80 on top of the repair cost.
Questions people ask
- Why is my garage door suddenly very heavy to lift?
- A sudden jump in weight almost always means a broken spring, which under normal operation counterbalances most of the door’s mass — 40–70kg or more on a sectional door. Stop trying to lift it and book an engineer; spring replacement typically costs £150–£350 for the pair.
- Can I open my garage door manually if the operator has failed?
- Most UK electric operators have a manual release cord for exactly this situation, usually a red pull-cord hanging near the header. It disengages the trolley so the door can be lifted by hand, provided the springs are intact — see our guide to opening a garage door manually.
- Why does my garage door operator hum but not move the door?
- A humming motor with no movement usually means the operator is trying to lift a load it can’t shift — most often a broken spring or a jammed track. Switch off at the socket and do not keep triggering the remote, as repeated attempts can burn out the motor.
- How much does it cost to fix a garage door that won’t open?
- A simple fix such as a battery or limit reset can cost nothing. A mechanical repair such as a spring or cable replacement typically runs £120–£350 inclusive of VAT, plus a £40–£80 call-out fee.
UK standards and regulations referenced
- BS EN 13241
- PUWER 1998
Related
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