Garage door closes by itself?
The door no longer holds in the open position and slides down by gravity - slowly or suddenly. Crushing risk for people and vehicles. The cause is almost always a worn spring that no longer counterbalances the panel weight.
A worn spring = door falling under its full weight with no brake.
Why your door closes by itself
3 possible causes. The balance test tells them apart in 30 seconds.
Worn torsion spring
After 10 to 15 years, the spring gradually loses tension. It no longer counterbalances the panel weight - the door slides down by gravity.
- Slow and progressive descent
- Door heavier to lift manually
- Gets worse week after week
- Balance test: door falls back at mid-height
Stretched lifting cable
The steel cable has stretched over the years. The spring still compensates but the cable has slack - the door slides when the slack is taken up.
- Visible slack on cable in open position
- Small jolt before the door descends
- Sudden descent after a few seconds of standstill
- Cable appears intact but is not taut
Misadjusted motor limit switch
The motor releases the door too early (open position poorly defined) - the door is not truly held at the top. It slides down as soon as the motor disengages.
- Immediate descent after opening
- Motor seems to have completed its cycle
- Problem appeared after power outage
- Open position lower than before
Risk of crushing
A door that closes by itself weighs 80 to 120 kg. It can seriously injure a person or crush an object.
Secure the open position
Prop the door open with a support or solid object under the last panel. Do not let anyone pass underneath without propping.
Disconnect the motor
Unplug the motor to prevent any accidental operation. Use the red release cord if the door must remain closed.
Call for rebalancing
The technician retensions or replaces the spring, checks the cables, and reprograms the motor limit switches. Complete intervention on site.
Complete rebalancing
From diagnosis to a stable panel in every position.
Phone diagnosis
Guided balance test: open the door to mid-height and release. If it falls back, it's the spring.
Travel
Genuine calibrated Hörmann springs.
Rebalancing
Spring retensioning or replacement, cable check, limit switch adjustment.
Balance test
Door stable at mid-height without rising or falling = perfect balance.
Prices rebalancing
Rebalancing is a quick and moderate intervention. Spring replacement is only needed when retensioning is no longer sufficient.
Every intervention is priced with a free quote.
Door closing by itself = immediate danger.
Prop the door and call. Do not pass underneath.
“Fast, flawless callout for 2 problems with my Hörmann garage door (motor and guide rail replaced). Office team (Sandrine) and technical team (Peter) ★★★★★. (Original review in French, translated)”
Frequently asked questions
Answers to our customers' most common questions.
Often a precursor to serious failures
Door closing by itself? Danger.
Prop the door, disconnect the motor, call +352 691 545 407. Emergency service Monday to Friday (8am-12pm / 1pm-5pm), fast response subject to availability.
Service areas