If you’re trying to figure out how to manually open your garage door because it won’t open automatically as it should, you should try to determine the potential cause first.
We say this because a couple of these causes could make it difficult to lift the door, making it potentially dangerous for you.
Here’s a list of possible causes and how to manually open your garage door when they occur.
How to manually open your garage door when the power is out
If the power is out and your garage door won’t open, disconnect the power cord to your garage door opener if possible. It’s best to make certain the power doesn’t come back on while you’re manually opening your garage door.
To open the door manually, the best option is to enter the garage and pull the emergency release cord. Which way you pull the cord depends on your system.
If you have a screw drive opener, you’ll pull the emergency release cord down to release your garage door from the opener. To re-engage, you’ll pull the cord down and towards the opener.
If you have a chain or belt opener, you’ll pull the cord down while pulling it towards the door. To re-engage, you’ll pull the cord down and towards the opener.
Now you should be able to manually open your garage door. Don’t forget that since you’ve detached your door from the opener system, your door can be opened by anyone inside or outside your garage. So, remember to lock your garage door using the key lock on the outside after you leave.
To be able to use your automatic door opener while the power is out, both Genie and LiftMaster have openers with a battery backup!
Manually opening a garage door with a broken spring
If your garage door has a broken cable or spring, opening it manually is going to be quite difficult and potentially dangerous.
We recommend contacting a garage door repair professional because if a spring is broken the door is going to be very heavy to lift. You could also potentially damage the door and its components further.
If you absolutely have to get the door open by yourself, you’ll go through the same steps as above to get the door open. You’ll pull the emergency release cord down and towards the door until you feel the lever locking into position.
When letting the door back down, do not let it slam to the ground or you will likely cause more damage. To re-engage the opener system, pull the cord down and towards the opener.
How to manually open garage door when motor isn’t working
If your opener has no power but it is plugged in, your circuit breaker is on, and you know there’s nothing wrong with the outlet the motor is plugged into there’s a good chance you have a faulty motor.
Unless you know how to repair a motor or replace it, this fix will also require a professional.
Until then, you’ll have to pull the emergency release cord on your opener down and towards the door to disengage it from the opener.
How to manually open garage door from the outside
If you do not have a door to get inside your garage from outside your home, you could benefit from having an emergency release kit that works with a key.
If you do, all you have to do is insert and turn the key, pull the lock tumbler out, and lift the door.
Once inside, let the door back down without letting it slam. Then, re-engage the emergency release by pushing up on its lever or by pulling the emergency release cord down and towards the opener until you hear a click.
Garage door repair and installation
If you live in Springfield, MO or the surrounding Missouri Ozarks and your garage door isn’t opening properly or not at all, Garage Door Guy is the only call you need to make. We take great pride in honesty, integrity, customer service, loyalty, and a strong desire to give back to the community we live in.
If you need service right away, call 417-413-3813.
