
Garage Door Misalignment
Your garage door is one of the largest moving parts of your home and serves as an essential entry point for your family, vehicles, and belongings. While it may operate smoothly for years, natural wear and tear, shifting structures, and mechanical failures can lead to garage door misalignment.
A misaligned garage door isn’t just an inconvenience—it can become a serious safety issue, leading to unexpected breakdowns, property damage, or even injury.
Many homeowners ignore early warning signs, thinking a minor squeak or slow movement isn’t a big deal. However, these seemingly small issues can worsen over time, resulting in costly repairs or complete system failure.
So, what causes a garage door to become misaligned, and how can you prevent it?

Signs of a Misaligned Garage Door
Before diving into the causes, it’s essential to recognize the symptoms of a misaligned garage door:
- One side of the door sits higher than the other, creating an uneven appearance or a gap between the door and the floor.
- The door moves unevenly or hesitates when opening and closing.
- You hear grinding, squeaking, or excessive vibrations during operation.
- The door gets stuck, either partially open or closed.
- There is visible damage to components such as rollers, hinges, cables, or tracks.
If you notice any of these issues, it’s time to address them before they worsen.
Common Causes of Garage Door Misalignment
1. Mispositioned Cable Drums
Cable drums play a crucial role in balancing the weight of your garage door. Over time, bolts can loosen, or the tension on the cables can shift, causing the door to tilt. When this happens, the door may struggle to open and close properly, leading to misalignment.
2. Worn or Frayed Door Cables
Garage door cables lift and lower the door; like any mechanical component, they wear out over time. Frayed or stretched cables can result in uneven weight distribution, causing the door to operate unevenly or become stuck. If cables snap entirely, the door could slam shut or hang at an angle.
3. Incorrect Torsion Assembly Calibration or Broken Springs
The torsion spring system evenly distributes force when opening and closing the door. If improperly calibrated during installation or after years of use, it can cause the door to shift off balance, leading to uneven or difficult operation.
Broken Springs: Faulty or damaged tension springs can throw off the door’s balance, causing misalignment and uneven operation.
4. Failing Bottom Brackets
Bottom brackets connect the cables to the door and help maintain proper tension. The wires can lose grip if they become loose or worn, causing the door to close at an angle or operate inconsistently.
5. Damaged or Shifted Tracks
Garage door tracks guide the door’s movement and must be perfectly aligned for smooth operation. If the tracks become bent, misaligned, or loose due to impact from vehicles, tools, or everyday wear, the door may struggle to stay on course, leading to grinding noises or uneven movement.
6. Shifting Foundations
Over time, homes settle due to changes in soil and temperature fluctuations. This natural movement can cause garage door tracks to shift out of alignment. Structural settling could be to blame if you notice gaps between the door and the floor or difficulty closing the door fully.
7. Loose or Worn Rollers and Hinges
Rollers and hinges allow smooth movement along the tracks. If they wear down or loosen, the door may struggle to move properly, resulting in jerky or uneven operation. Regular lubrication and inspections can help prevent these issues.
8. Improper Installation or DIY Adjustments
Garage doors must be installed with precise alignment to function correctly. If installed incorrectly or a homeowner attempts a DIY repair without proper tools or expertise, it can lead to long-term misalignment. How to perform a garage door balance test can be found here.
9. Improper Limit Settings
Incorrectly set limit switches on the garage door opener can prevent the door from closing fully, leading to misalignment.

Why Proper Garage Door Alignment Matters
A misaligned garage door may not seem like an urgent issue, but it can lead to significant problems if left unaddressed.
- Increased Wear and Tear: Strained components wear out faster, leading to premature repairs or replacements.
- Safety Hazards: A misaligned garage door can suddenly fall off track, posing a serious injury risk.
- Security Risks: A door that doesn’t close properly leaves your home vulnerable to intruders.
- Vehicle and Property Damage: If the door doesn’t move smoothly, it can scrape against objects or suddenly close on your vehicle.
- Higher Repair Costs: Small alignment issues can escalate into costly mechanical failures.
How to Prevent Garage Door Misalignment
While garage door misalignment often develops gradually, regular maintenance can help prevent many common issues. Here are some tips:
- Inspect your garage door regularly for signs of wear, including frayed cables, bent tracks, or uneven movement.
- How to perform a garage door balance test can be found here.
- Lubricate moving parts such as rollers, hinges, and tracks to keep them operating smoothly. For more on how to properly lubricate a garage door.
- Check and tighten hardware to ensure brackets, bolts, and screws remain secure.
- Avoid DIY repairs unless you have proper training—garage doors operate under extreme tension and can be dangerous to adjust.
- Schedule professional inspections at least once a year to catch potential issues before they become costly problems.
Professional Garage Door Alignment Services
Fixing garage door misalignment may seem like a simple DIY task, but garage doors are under high tension and can be dangerous to adjust without the proper knowledge and tools. While some minor adjustments, such as cleaning debris from tracks, can be handled by homeowners, a professional should always perform realignment and significant repairs.
At Overhead Door Company of Huntsville/North Alabama™, we’ve provided expert garage door repairs and installations for over 55 years. Our experienced team can diagnose and fix misalignment issues quickly and safely.
If you’ve noticed uneven movement, grinding noises, or gaps in your garage door, don’t wait until the problem worsens—call us today for a professional inspection.
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Final Thoughts
A properly aligned garage door is essential for smooth operation, safety, and security. By recognizing the signs of garage door misalignment early and scheduling regular maintenance, you can prevent costly repairs and ensure your door continues to function reliably for years.
If you suspect your garage door is out of alignment, trust the experts at Overhead Door Company of Huntsville/North Alabama™ to get it back on track—literally! We are your only authorized Overheaad Door™ Brand distributor in North Alabama.
Disclaimer: The information provided is for informational purposes only. Professionals should perform garage door repairs. Overhead Door Company of Huntsville/North Alabama™ disclaims any responsibility for injuries or damages resulting from reliance on this information.