If your garage door shifts to the left every time it opens, you’re not imagining things. It’s not just annoying, it’s a sign that something’s off. Doors are supposed to move straight up and down. When they don’t, it usually means a component is worn out, misaligned, or broken. And if you don’t fix it soon, it could lead to bigger (and more expensive) problems.

The Most Common Causes of a Garage Door Shifting to One Side

When your garage door shifts left as it opens, it’s often due to uneven tension, misaligned tracks, or worn-out hardware. Here’s what’s likely going on.

1. Uneven Spring Tension

Garage doors rely on springs to lift and lower evenly. If one spring is tighter than the other or if one is wearing out faster, it throws off the balance. This makes one side of the door rise faster than the other, causing it to shift left.

2. Damaged or Misaligned Tracks

If your left-side track is bent, loose, or out of alignment, the door will naturally favor that direction. This is one of the most common problems we see in Portland homes with older garage systems or heavy doors.

3. Worn or Frayed Cables

Each side of your garage door has a lift cable. When one cable stretches, frays, or slips, it stops pulling with equal force. That imbalance forces the door to lean or twist, which is why you’ll see the door shift left during opening.

4. Loose Hinges or Rollers

Rollers and hinges guide your door along the tracks. If one side’s rollers are worn or loose, the door won’t glide smoothly. Instead, it’ll drag or pull toward the damaged side, usually the left if that’s the side with more wear.

5. Obstructions or Debris

Sometimes, the issue is simpler than you’d think. A small object in the left-side track or a buildup of dirt can restrict movement and cause uneven lifting. Don’t overlook this.

What Happens If You Ignore It?

Garage doors are heavy. When they move unevenly, they put strain on everything: springs, cables, openers, and tracks. Over time, that strain turns into damage. You could end up with:

• A snapped spring
• A broken cable
• A door that comes off its tracks entirely
• An opener motor that burns out

What starts as a slight shift becomes a full-blown breakdown if you wait too long.

Can You Fix It Yourself?

Some homeowners try. You can check for visible damage, tighten any loose bolts, or clear out debris in the tracks. But adjusting springs or cables is a different story. These parts are under high tension. One wrong move and you’re looking at serious injury—or a garage door that won’t open at all. If you’re not trained in garage door repair, it’s safer (and cheaper in the long run) to call a pro.

What We Do at PDX Garage Door

When a customer in Portland calls about a shifting garage door, we do a full inspection. We check spring tension, track alignment, cable condition, and roller wear. Then we balance the system so it opens and closes smoothly, no pulling, no jerking, no surprises. We don’t just patch the symptom. We fix the root cause.

Final Word

If your garage door shifts left when it opens, don’t wait for it to get worse. It’s a sign of imbalance, and imbalance leads to breakdowns. You can try clearing debris or tightening visible parts, but if that doesn’t work, get it looked at. At PDX Garage Door, we’ve helped homeowners all over Portland get their doors back on track—literally. We’ll inspect it, fix it, and make sure it stays smooth and reliable. Call today or book online. Let’s fix it before it fails.

Cities We Serve

PDX Garage Door proudly serves cities across the Portland metro area, including Beaverton, Salem, Tigard, and Hillsboro. We deliver expert garage door installation and repair services tailored to the unique needs of each community.