How to test the balance of a garage door

WARNING

To prevent possible SERIOUS INJURY or DEATH:

ALWAYS call a trained door system technician if your garage door binds, sticks, or is out of balance. An unbalanced garage door may not reverse when required.
NEVER try to loosen, move or adjust garage doors, door springs, cables, pulleys, brackets, or their hardware, all of which are under EXTREME tension.
Disable ALL locks and remove ALL ropes connected to the garage door BEFORE installing and operating the garage door opener to avoid entanglement.

CAUTION
To prevent damage to the garage door and opener: ALWAYS disable locks BEFORE installing and operating the opener. ONLY operate the garage door opener at 120V, 60Hz to avoid malfunction and damage.

Perform these steps to test the balance of the garage door. These steps work for both a sectional and a one-piece door.

Close the garage door.
Disconnect the garage door from the garage door opener:
- If you have a chain or belt-driven opener that uses a 5-piece square rail, pull the manual release rope straight down.
- If you have a chain or belt-driven opener that uses a T-rail, pull the manual release rope down and back towards the motor unit.
- If you have a screw drive opener, pull the manual release straight down.
- If you have a jackshaft opener, pull down on the manual release until you hear a click then release the rope.
With the door still disconnected, open and close the door by hand. The door should move easily with one hand. If the door sticks or binds, remove any obstructions and lubricate the door tracks, rollers, and hinges. After lubricating the door, check if the door is still sticking or binding. If you are unable to resolve the sticking or binding issue, contact a professional door technician.
Lift the door 3-4 feet off the ground. Release the door. If balanced it should stay in place, supported entirely by its springs.
- If the door slowly rises upwards or falls to the floor gently, this is acceptable.
- If the door slams shut or shoot upward with force, the door is out of balance. Contact a professional door technician.
If the door passes the balance test and is not sticking or binding, reattach the door to the opener:
- If you have a chain or belt-driven opener that uses a 5-piece square rail, pull the manual release rope down and back towards the motor unit.
- If you have a chain or belt-driven opener that uses a T-rail, pull the manual release rope straight down. Activate the garage door opener and the door will automatically reconnect.
- If you have a screw-driven opener, pull the manual release down and back toward the motor unit.
- If you have a jackshaft opener, pull down on the manual release until you hear a click then release the rope.