How to Fix Garage Door Cable Snapped

A snapped or loose garage door cable can shut down your whole routine in seconds. One minute, everything works fine. The next, the door is stuck, uneven, or making grinding noises.

Cables handle the lifting tension, so if they break or slip off, the door becomes unstable and dangerous to use.

Knowing how to fix a garage door cable gives you a safer, faster way to get things back on track without damaging the door or hurting yourself in the process.

You’ll want to act quickly, but not carelessly.

Fixing the issue the right way can extend the life of your door, keep the opener motor from burning out, and prevent unnecessary repairs later on.

How Do Garage Door Cables Work?

Garage door cables are connected to the bottom brackets on both sides of the door. They wrap around drums mounted above the door, and those drums turn as the torsion springs do their job.

That movement lifts and lowers the door smoothly and keeps it balanced.

When a cable breaks or slips, the system becomes unstable. You might see one side of the door drop lower than the other or hear grinding and clanking sounds as the opener struggles.

This imbalance puts pressure on other parts of the system and could cause more damage if the problem is ignored.

First Things First: Is the Cable Broken or Just Off the Drum?

A snapped cable is usually easy to identify. You’ll likely see it dangling, and the door may be crooked.

But sometimes the cable just slips off the drum without breaking. In that case, it may still be usable if it’s not frayed or worn.

If the door is hard to lift or won’t stay open, or if it slams shut, the spring tension could be off. That’s not a job you want to take on by yourself.

Fixing the cable is one thing. Adjusting spring tension safely takes the right tools and training.

Tools You’ll Need to Get It Done

If it’s safe to move forward, grab the tools you’ll need ahead of time:

Stepladder
Locking pliers or clamps
Socket wrench
Work gloves
Matching replacement cable (if needed)
Safety glasses

Never skip the safety gear, and always unplug the garage door opener before doing any work. Disconnect the opener using the release cord so you can lift the door manually.

Then clamp the track below the bottom roller to keep it from moving while you work.

Fixing the Cable the Right Way

Once the door is secured, locate the cable drum on the side where the cable came off or broke. If you’re reattaching a loose cable, start at the bottom bracket and thread the cable upward, wrapping it evenly around the drum.

Make sure the cable sits neatly in the grooves and is wound tightly without overlaps. If the cable is damaged or fraying, remove it and install a replacement that matches your door model.

Once it’s in place, tighten the set screws on the drum so the cable stays secure.

Repeat on the other side if needed. Remove the clamps and lift the door slowly to check balance and movement. It should stay open halfway without drifting or slamming.

Common Missteps That Can Cost You Later

Homeowners often skip steps that seem minor but make a big difference. Not clamping the track is one of the biggest mistakes. If the door shifts while you’re working, it can throw the whole system off or cause injury.

Another common issue is overtightening the cable or not checking both sides for balance. Even if only one side came off, both drums should have even tension.

Ignoring these details can lead to the same problem happening again, or worse, damage to the opener motor or bent tracks.

Prevention Checklist: Keep Your Cables Working Longer

Cables wear down over time, but you can reduce problems by catching small issues early. Use this simple routine every few months:

Inspect cables for rust, fraying, or loose strands
Clean the tracks and drums
Lubricate rollers and hinges with silicone spray
Test the door’s balance manually
Tighten loose bolts or hardware
Listen for scraping or grinding sounds

Most of these steps take just a few minutes but help extend the life of your door and reduce repair costs.

If the Problem Keeps Coming Back, Look Deeper

Sometimes fixing the cable isn’t enough. If the door continues to sag, bind, or feel uneven after a cable repair, you may have a bigger issue like spring imbalance or a worn-out drum.

These underlying problems can force the cable to slip off again, no matter how well you reattach it.

At that point, it’s worth having a technician look at the entire system. Getting professional support can save you time and prevent future breakdowns, especially if your door is more than 10 years old or hasn’t had regular maintenance.

Handle It Now, So It Doesn’t Get Worse

Knowing what to do if your garage door cable snapped gives you a practical solution to a common problem.

But fixing it the wrong way or ignoring signs of deeper trouble can end up costing you more. If the door still doesn’t feel right after the repair, it’s better to pause than push forward.

Peter and Sons Construction works with homeowners across Niles and surrounding areas to fix cable issues quickly and safely.

Whether the cable needs a quick reset or full replacement, we’ll walk you through what’s going on, get it done, and make sure the door works the way it should—no stress, no wasted time.