Garage Door Rollers Off Track: How to Repair

Dawn reflects off of a white garage door.
What You'll Need
Wrench or ratchet handle and socket
Hammer or rubber mallet
Block of wood
Level
Screwdriver
Mild detergent
Lubricant spray or powdered graphite
Silicone spray or household oil
What You'll Need
Wrench or ratchet handle and socket
Hammer or rubber mallet
Block of wood
Level
Screwdriver
Mild detergent
Lubricant spray or powdered graphite
Silicone spray or household oil

The doors on your garage are moved smoothly up and down by garage door rollers. These are held in place by brackets that are attached to the door of your garage. The roller has a stem that fits into a bracket sleeve while the roller itself fits into a track. However, it's not guaranteed that the roller will stay there no matter what. It can jump off track from time to time and when that happens with no one else to fix it, you have to do it on your own. But first, you have to determine the cause and remedy it.

The Track Is Loose or Anchors are Bad

Before doing anything, make sure that the tracks are still well-anchored on your wall. One of the main reasons why garage door rollers go off track is because the tracks themselves have come off the wall. If the brackets that are anchoring them are loose, tighten the bolts using a wrench or a ratchet handle with the correct socket size.

Dents or Damage

The tracks have to be checked for dents and damages as well. A bad dent will cause the garage door to go off track easily, similar to what a damaged rail can do to a train. You can repair serious dents by pounding on them using a hammer and block of wood, but if you have a rubber mallet around, use it instead. If there is heavy damage on the tracks, simply replace them. They are not worth the effort to try to fix and in their condition, they present a serious safety hazard.

Track Is out of Alignment

Make sure that the tracks for your garage door rollers are in their proper alignment by using a level. If you have a horizontal track, they should have a slight angle towards the back of your garage. If you are using a roll-up door, the track section should be precisely leveled. If they are not sitting correctly, loosen the brackets that hold them in place. Then, tap on them carefully until they have a perfect alignment. Tracks should also be of the same height on either wall.

Dirt and Grime Buildup

Off-track garage door rollers can also be caused by dirt and grime that accumulates on the track. A good household cleaning solution can do the trick for fixing this.

Lack of Lubrication

To ensure that your rollers will run smoothly and don't run off course, lubricate the track as well as the other parts of your garage door with a spray lubricant. Powdered graphite can also be used as an alternative. This step will ensure that your garage door will open and close smoothly. The rollers themselves are best lubricated with a silicone spray but you can also use household oil as an alternative.

Other Loose Parts

Loose parts may also cause your garage door rollers to come off track so tighten any bolts and screws that appear loose. If you have a roll-up door, check the hinges that connect the panels together as well. Loose hinges will make the door sag, which can disrupt its motion and roll it out of position.