Same-Day Garage Door Off-Track Repair
Certified, insured technicians. Fully stocked trucks. Warranty-backed parts.
Better Faster Reliable Garage Door Service & Repair
Signs Your Door Is Off Track
*Warning: An off-track door is unstable and can fall. Do not try to move it or operate the opener, as this can cause serious injury and damage.
A garage door that has come off its tracks is a serious issue that requires immediate professional attention. Call us for same-day service if you see any of these clear indicators:
- Rollers Popped Out of the Track: You can visibly see one or more of the door’s wheels are no longer seated inside the metal tracks.
- Crooked or Gaps: The door hangs at an angle, with one side noticeably higher than the other, or there is a visible gap between the door and the frame.
- Bent or Damaged Tracks: The vertical or horizontal metal tracks are bent, dented, or pulled away from the wall.
- Grinding or Scraping Noises: The door makes loud, metallic scraping or popping sounds when you attempt to move it.
- Slack or Tangled Cables: One of the lift cables is loose, hanging, or has created a “bird’s nest” of tangled wire near the drum.
- The Door is Stuck or Jammed: The door has stopped moving partway up or down and refuses to budge, often at an angle.
If your door shows any of these symptoms, disconnect the opener and call for a safe, professional repair.
Why Doors Come Off Track
A garage door usually comes off its tracks due to a specific point of failure in the system. Identifying the root cause is key to preventing a repeat problem. The most common reasons include:
- Impact or Obstruction: This is the most frequent cause. Accidentally backing a car into the door, even lightly, or a forgotten object in the door’s path can knock the rollers right out of their tracks.
- Worn or Broken Rollers: Rollers have a limited lifespan. Once the wheels wear down, crack, or the bearings seize, they can bind in the track and get forced out.
- Loose Track Hardware: Over time, the vibrations from the door’s operation can loosen the brackets that hold the tracks to the wall. A misaligned or loose track creates gaps for rollers to pop out.
- Broken Spring or Cable: The lift cables and springs work together to lift the door evenly. If one cable snaps or a spring breaks, the door becomes instantly unbalanced, pulling one side up and causing the other to derail.
- Incorrect Opener Force Settings: If the opener’s force is set too high, it may try to power through an obstruction instead of reversing. This immense pressure can easily bend a track or force rollers out.
Our Off-Track Repair Process
Secure & Inspect
The first priority is safety. Our technician will disconnect the opener and securely clamp the door in place to prevent it from moving or falling during the repair.
Diagnose Root Cause
We conduct a thorough inspection of the tracks, rollers, cables, and springs to determine exactly why the door came off track. Identifying the root cause—whether it's a broken roller, misaligned track, or damaged cable—is critical to preventing a recurrence.
Realign Tracks & Hardware
The technician will repair any bent sections of the track and ensure both vertical and horizontal tracks are perfectly aligned and level. We also inspect and tighten all track brackets and fasteners to make sure they are secure against the wall.
Balance & Test
Once the tracks are secure, we carefully guide the rollers back into the track and reset the lift cables on their drums. We then re-tension the springs and balance the door so it can be lifted with just a few fingers.
Clean Up & Advise
Finally, we perform multiple test cycles to ensure the door travels smoothly and quietly. We verify the auto-reverse safety sensors and other features are working perfectly, lubricate all moving parts, and leave your garage clean.
Honest Pricing & a Warranty You Can Trust
We believe in clear communication and fair pricing. Before any work begins, you will receive a free, no-obligation quote that details all costs for parts and labor. You’ll know the full price upfront, with no hidden fees or surprises.
Most off-track door repairs are safely completed in under 90 minutes, restoring your garage’s security and your peace of mind.
All our off-track repairs are backed by a comprehensive parts and labor warranty. We stand behind our work, ensuring your door operates safely and reliably long after our visit.
Serving Homeowners Across New England
Our certified technicians provide fast, professional off-track garage door repair across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. An off-track door often signals other underlying problems, which we can inspect and fix during the same service call.
Explore our other common repair services:
- Broken Cable Repair: A primary cause of unbalanced and off-track doors.
- Roller & Track Replacement: We replace worn rollers and damaged tracks that cause derailment.
- Garage Door Opener Repair: We fix openers that contribute to track issues by applying incorrect force.
Frequently Asked Questions About Off-Track Garage Doors
Is it safe to use an off-track garage door?
No, you should never attempt to use an off-track door. The door is unstable and under extreme tension from the springs, creating a serious risk of it falling suddenly. Disconnect the opener and call a professional for a safe repair.
Why did my garage door come off its tracks?
The most common causes are a physical impact (like backing a car into it), worn or broken rollers, or a snapped lift cable. Misaligned horizontal tracks can also cause the rollers to pop out over time.
Can I just push the rollers back onto the track myself?
We strongly advise against it. Without addressing the underlying cause and properly resetting the system’s tension, the door will likely come off track again. A DIY repair can be dangerous and often leads to more extensive damage.
How quickly can you fix my door and how long does it take?
We offer same-day and 24/7 emergency service and can often arrive within a few hours of your call. A standard off-track repair, including a full system inspection and tune-up, is typically completed in about 60-90 minutes.
Will you find and fix the root cause of the problem?
Yes. Our service is not just about getting the door back on its tracks. Your technician will perform a complete inspection to identify and fix the reason it happened, whether it’s a bad roller, bent track, or cable issue.
What does an off-track garage door repair cost?
The cost depends on the extent of the damage. Before we begin any work, your technician will provide a clear, upfront quote detailing all parts and labor. We guarantee honest pricing with no hidden fees.
Why Choose AB Garage Door Services
- Certified & Insured: Licensed techs with 7+ years’ experience on all major brands.
- Transparent Pricing: Upfront quotes, no surprises, parts & labor warranty.
- Fast, Local Service: Same-day appointments across MA, NH, RI, and CT.
- 5‑Star Support: Friendly experts, clear communication, clean job sites.
- Trusted by 10,000+ New England homeowners
Don't Risk It.Get a Professional Repair.
