How to Tell if a Garage Door Cable Is Frayed

Garage door cables carry the weight of the door. They run from the bottom corners up to the drums or pulleys. A worn cable can snap. When it does the door can jam or fall on one side.

What a frayed cable looks like

• Thin strands of wire sticking out.
• A section that looks flat or thin.
• Rust spots along the cable.
• A kink or bend.
• A cable that sits loose on the drum.

Where to look

Start near the bottom of the door on each side. That is where wear shows first. Look at the full length of the cable up to the drum. Check both sides.

Stay safe

The bottom bracket and the cable carry a lot of tension. Do not touch either one. Do not loosen bolts. Look from a safe spot and take a photo.

Other signs a cable is wearing out

• The door lifts unevenly.
• One side of the door hangs lower.
• The door shakes or jerks.
• You hear a scraping noise near the track.

What to do

Stop using the door if the cable looks badly frayed. Call a technician. A cable is not a do it yourself fix. Cables are often replaced together. Ask your technician about the second one.

Learn more about cable repair or read how to tell if a garage door spring is broken.

Related guides: what to do if one cable has already broken and why a cable slips off the drum.