Garage Door Back on Track in Lakewood: Top Section Off Track + Cable Off Drum

If your garage door suddenly looks crooked, won’t open evenly, or sounds “wrong” halfway up, you may need Lakewood garage door repair fast. We recently helped a homeowner in Lakewood, Colorado with a 16×8 insulated garage door with windows where the top section slipped off the track and the lift cable came off the drum. This kind of issue can cause binding, uneven lifting, and safety risks, so we restored proper alignment and smooth operation.

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What Was Going On

The homeowner noticed the door wasn’t moving straight and the top panel had shifted out of alignment. Once a section comes off track, it changes how the door’s weight is distributed. That uneven load can also pull a lift cable out of position, which is exactly what happened here: the cable came off the drum, throwing the system even further out of balance.

Why an Off-Track Section + Cable Off Drum Is a Big Deal

Garage doors are heavy, especially insulated doors with window sections. When the door is off track or a cable is off the drum:

The door can bind and jam, or lift at an angle.
The opener can strain, or the door can stop mid-travel.
Cables can fray or snap if they’re pulled incorrectly.
The door can become unsafe to operate until it’s reset and balanced.

In short: if you’re seeing an uneven door, a loose cable, or a roller popped out, it’s best to stop using it and get it corrected.

Check our list of garage door repair and installation services.

How We Fixed It

For this Lakewood service call, we focused on restoring smooth, straight travel and safe operation:

Reset the top section back into the track and verified the rollers were seated properly.
Re-seated the lift cable onto the drum and ensured it tracked correctly in the grooves.
Checked door alignment so the sections travel evenly without rubbing or binding.
Verified balance and movement to confirm the door runs smoothly and safely.

Common Reasons Cables Come Off Drums

There are a few usual suspects when a cable slips off the drum:

Door hits something (bins, a bumper, a vehicle) and shifts a section out of position.
Worn rollers or track issues that let the door drift.
Improper tension or balance problems that cause uneven lift.
Loose hardware over time from regular vibration and use.

If you’re not sure why it happened, that’s okay, the important part is correcting it before it causes bigger damage.

Signs You Might Need Off-Track Garage Door Repair

Door looks tilted or uneven when opening/closing
Grinding, popping, or scraping sounds on one side
Cable appears loose, hanging, or wrapped incorrectly
Door stops halfway or reverses unexpectedly
Top section is visibly out of the track

Garage Door Repair in Lakewood, CO

Harmony Garage Door Repair helps homeowners across Lakewood with off-track doors, cable repairs, tune-ups, spring work, opener issues, and more. If your door is stuck, crooked, or you suspect a cable problem, give us a call, we’ll walk you through what to do next and get you scheduled.

See our complete list of Denver Metro service areas.

FAQs

Is it safe to run the opener if the cable is off the drum?

Usually, no. Operating the door can make the cable wrap incorrectly, fray, or snap, and can also pull the door further out of alignment.

Can I put the cable back on myself?

We don’t recommend it. Cables and drums are tied into spring tension, and the door’s weight can shift quickly. A proper reset includes alignment and a balance check, not just “getting it back on.”

What should I do right now if my door is off track?

Stop using the door, keep people clear of it, and avoid forcing it closed. If you need access urgently, call us and we’ll advise you safely based on what you’re seeing.

Call Harmony Garage Door Repair

Need garage door repair in Lakewood? We’ll help you get the door back on track and running smooth again.