Updated: January 7, 2025
Your garage door is likely one of the mechanical objects in your home whose smooth operation you take for granted. But when your garage door rollers detach from the track, repairing the problem should become a top priority. Some fixes are easy do-it-yourself projects, while others require help from a professional. Here are the most common reasons that garage doors detach from the tracks, how to fix the problem and what you can do to prevent it from happening again.
Things to Know in This Article:
Detached Garage Door Causes
Typically, a garage door becomes detached from its tracks as a result of one of the following issues:
1. A Hit to the Garage Door
The most commonly cited reason for a garage door jumping its tracks is that something hits it. Your garage door system is a delicate mechanism, and any significant impact is enough to knock the door off its tracks.
This might happen if you accidentally bump the door with your car. Additionally, something like a bike or a tree hitting the door and even severe weather that requires an insurance claim for repairs can be enough to dislodge the door from its tracks.
2. Misaligned Tracks
Your door may come off the tracks even without an impact or with only a very slight one if the tracks are not aligned correctly. It is crucial for the effectiveness of your garage door system that the horizontal tracks be parallel and perfectly aligned with the vertical rails.
A common way your garage door may come out of alignment is if the bolts on the bracket holding the horizontal tracks come loose. If these bolts are not tight enough, the bracket may wobble due to door vibrations or minor impacts, eventually altering the alignment enough that the rollers can jump the tracks.
3. Worn Parts From Repeated Use
Your garage door is a complex mechanism, and like any such mechanism, its parts will wear out over time no matter what you do. The more worn out various components are, the harder the system has to work.
Eventually, if a part isn’t strong enough or if it breaks, the rest of the system may not be strong enough to keep the door’s rollers properly connected to the track.
Adopting a garage door maintenance routine or working with a garage door specialist for an annual tuneup can help you identify when parts are nearing the end of their life and ensure you replace them before they cause your garage door to detach from the track.
4. Broken Cables or Garage Door Roller Off-Track
Naturally, for your garage door to effectively roll along its track, its rollers need to be in good condition. If a garage door wheel is off-track or the roller breaks, it makes it much easier for the others to jump the track.
Additionally, having fewer than the full number of functioning rollers can bend the rails, pulling the door out of alignment and creating another opportunity for the door to come off the track.
The lift cables are another crucial part of keeping your garage door aligned. If one breaks, the door’s weight will transfer to the other side, unbalancing it and making it simple for it to jump the track.
Identifying a Garage Door Off-Track
Garage door systems can be complex, and it may not always be easy to know what is wrong if you run into issues. Here are some key signs that your garage door is off-track:
- Unusual noises during operation: Most garage door systems generate some noise while operating, but they generally open quietly. Unusual sounds like loud clunking, banging and scraping are cause for concern and can indicate that your garage door is off-track.
- Visual misalignment of the door: One of the most obvious indications that your garage door is off-track is a clear visual misalignment of the door. Your garage door may look uneven, unbalanced or crooked, or it may also look like it is hanging loosely.
- A gap between track and rollers: If there is a noticeable gap between the track and the rollers, this is likely due to a bent track that has caused the rollers to rise off it. The rollers will struggle to move more smoothly along the track, and it is a sure sign that your garage door is off-track.
- Difficulty opening or closing: Your garage door should not struggle to open and close. If it takes longer to open and close, or if you have to repeatedly troubleshoot to stop it from jamming, it is likely off-track.
- Warped tracks: Over time, your garage door tracks could become bent due to extreme weather conditions like high humidity, storms and high winds. These factors can cause the tracks to become bent and warped, which can easily cause your door to be off-track.
How to Fix a Garage Door That Is Off-Track
There are several ways to troubleshoot an off-track garage door. Depending on what caused the door to come off the tracks and the severity of the situation, you might be able to fix it yourself.
Garage door systems are intricate mechanisms involving heavy doors, moving parts, springs under enormous pressure and motors. When working with your garage door, you must prioritize safety above all else. Before you begin, carefully consider that you have the right tools, sufficient assistance if needed and the knowledge to complete big DIY tasks. If you are uncertain about your ability to fix your off-track garage door, consult a garage door expert for a safe and effective solution.
Gather Necessary Tools and Safety Gear
To fix a garage door that is off track, you will generally need:
- A level
- A ladder
- A mallet
- A screwdriver
- A pair of locking pliers
- A wrench or socket set
It is also a good idea to gather some cleaning and maintenance supplies, including a microfiber cloth to dust and clean away debris before and after the fix and an appropriate lubricant for the tracks. You should also wear safety gloves and a safety helmet.
Disconnect the Garage Door Opener
Disconnecting the garage door opener by disconnecting the power is vital to safety. You can do this before or after gathering your tools, but it is a crucial step before attempting to fix the door. The door should not be operating while you fix it, as this can create an extremely dangerous scenario and further damage the door or tracks. You can disconnect the garage door opener by pulling your door’s emergency release cord.
Secure the Garage Door
If the door is badly off-track and standing partially open, you must stabilize it first. Secure the door with study, strong objects like your ladder or some wooden blocks. These will prevent the door from moving while you are fixing it, which is an important safety measure. Even if the door seems to close easily, stabilizing it to keep it open while you repair any issues is critical.
Realign the Tracks
If the cause of your garage door being off track is misaligned tracks, you will need to loosen the screws before readjusting it. Loosen the track fasteners using your screwdriver, socket set or wrench, but be sure not to remove the screws completely — as this will make the fix even more difficult. You only want to loosen the screws a bit so you have enough movement for realigning the track.
Move the track back into place and check that the rollers are not damaged. If they are severely damaged, you will need to replace your garage doors or tracks. If they are functional, clean them with a microfiber cloth to remove any debris and dirt that can affect smooth movement. If the track is separated, use the pair of pliers to reposition them. You can use a mallet to gently straighten the tracks if they are a little warped or bent. However, if the tracks are badly misaligned, you may need to call a professional about having a repair or replacement.
Once you set the tracks back in place, use a level to check that everything is properly aligned. Fasten the screws tightly while ensuring the track remains in place. If you notice that any other hardware is loose after you have realigned the track, take a few minutes to tighten that too.
To complete your fix, lubricate the moving parts and clear up the workspace by removing all your tools. Then reconnect the garage door opener and allow the door to open and close a few times to verify that the door is working properly.
Preventing Future Off-Track Issues
One of the best ways to prevent future issues with your garage door is to maintain it well and regularly. Following these garage door maintenance tips can help you keep your garage door in good condition:
- Visual inspections: Regularly check the condition of your garage door system for signs of wear and tear. Inspect the condition of the tracks and rollers, springs, cables and other hardware. Signs of wear and tear include rust, corrosion, frayed wires, misaligned tracks and loose hardware.
- Repair or replace: Let your visual inspection guide your maintenance — you can tighten loose hardware and repair or replace parts that are quite worn.
- Lubricate moving parts: Use an appropriate lubricant, such as silicone-based lubrication, on moving parts approximately once or twice a year, as needed.
- Keep parts clean: Dust and wipe the tracks and other moving parts with appropriate cleaning supplies to keep them free of dirt and debris.
- Test safety features: Regularly testing your garage door system’s safety features is an essential part of maintenance. Test the door’s auto-reverse feature and clean the photo-eye sensors.
Prevent a Detached Garage Door With DistribuDoors
An off-track garage door can be a challenging issue to deal with, but it is possible to address when the problem is not severe. With a few household tools and some DIY knowledge, you can realign your garage door’s tracks and have it working smoothly again.
When the issue is more severe and a DIY fix is not safe or ideal, consulting with garage door experts is the best solution. For expert garage door guidance, you can rely on DistribuDoors to assist. Since 1985, we’ve served homeowners throughout the Seattle and Tacoma area with various garage door services and solutions, including repairs, opener installations and opener replacements. We are also an exclusive dealer of Clopay® and LiftMaster and offer high-quality work. Our team is fully trained and certified.
If you need garage door installations, repairs or replacements, contact us today, and we can provide a free estimate and further assistance.
