After a long day, you pull into your driveway and press the garage door remote — and it won’t budge. Or maybe you’re rushing out, only to find the door stuck. Whether it’s the result of a power outage, a dead remote battery or a mechanical issue, a malfunctioning garage door can be frustrating.
You don’t have to be locked in or out of your garage while you wait for repairs. You can learn how to open and shut the garage door manually with this guide.
How to Manually Open or Close Your Garage Door From the Inside
It’s possible to open and close your garage door without a remote. However, there’s a significant pinch hazard when manually operating garage doors. It’s important to do it correctly to avoid injuring yourself. The first step is verifying that there are no mechanical issues before attempting to open or close the door, since damage increases safety risks. If you’re not sure whether you’re dealing with a broken door or not, stop and call a technician.
Manually Opening a Garage Door From the Inside
Follow these steps if you need to manually open a residential garage door from the inside:
- Disconnect the opener from electricity: If you have power in the household, start by unplugging the opener from electricity. This step will keep you safe in case the motor activates while you’re trying to open the door.
- Locate the emergency release: Find the red cord hanging from the garage door opener — it’s usually near the center of the ceiling. Before pulling the emergency release cord, make sure nothing is underneath the door, as a falling door can cause severe or even fatal injuries. Firmly pull the cord straight down to disengage the opener.
- Open the garage door: Grip the door with both hands and lift it. If the springs are in good condition, the door should move with minimal resistance. If you notice any resistance, stop immediately and seek professional help. A door that feels heavy in your hands could indicate a mechanical problem.
When you open the door, it should stay up until you close it. If it doesn’t, there could be a mechanical issue like broken pulleys and springs. If it falls back by itself, call your technician to fix the problem as soon as possible.
Manually Closing a Garage Door From the Inside
You can follow these steps to close your garage door manually:
- Pull the emergency release: Locate the red emergency cord hanging from the opener and pull it down to disengage the garage door from the automatic opener.
- Gently lower the door: Pull the garage door down until it reaches the ground. Lower it evenly to prevent it from coming off the tracks.
- Reconnect the trolley: Move the door along the track until it clicks into place.
One of the signs that your garage door needs urgent repair is the inability to close properly. Reach out to a professional to determine the issue and correct it.
How to Manually Open and Close Your Garage Door From the Outside
You’ll need the emergency key to open and manually close the garage door from the outside. Follow these steps to open it:
- Locate the emergency release mechanism: Look for a small keyhole near the top of the door. This keyhole is designed for manual operation from the outside. The key will open a kit that stores the emergency release cable.
- Unlock the door: Insert your key into the emergency release lock and turn it counterclockwise. Once the lock disengages, remove the key and tug the release cord toward you to unlock the garage door.
- Manually lift the door: With the lock disengaged, you should be able to lift the door with ease. If the door fails to open or it’s difficult, schedule repair services — there’s likely an issue with the moving parts.
To manually close the garage door from the outside, pull it down until it securely touches the ground. Then, you can use the key to lock the door securely.
What If You Can’t Manually Open Your Garage Door?
Garage doors work on spring and trolley systems that allow you to manually operate them and disengage from the automatic opener. While doors are heavy, you should be able to disengage and lift yours easily.
If you can’t lift the garage door manually, it’s best to get in touch with a professional. A few factors could be to blame.
1. Broken or Worn Springs
If you’ve followed this guide but are still unable to open your garage door, the most probable culprit is malfunctioning springs.
Springs are responsible for lifting the entire weight of your door. If there’s an issue with the springs, the door will be too heavy to lift by hand. Remember, if the springs are broken, do not attempt to replace them yourself or force the door open — this can cause injuries and further damage. Instead, call for professional spring replacement services to restore the door’s functionality.
2. Disconnected Release Cord
The red emergency release cord disengages the door from the opener. If you pull on it and it doesn’t detach from the opener, triggering manual operation, the release mechanism could be faulty. It may also be that the trolley is not in good working condition. Issues with the release cord and trolley system are best left to professionals.
3. Jammed Tracks
If the tracks are obstructed or bent, the rollers won’t slide well along them, making it challenging to open the door manually. Check for any debris or objects blocking the tracks and clear them before trying to reopen the door.
Confirm that the door has not come off its tracks, as misalignment could make manual operation challenging and risky. This could happen if the rollers are worn out or something has knocked the door off its path. If you notice any misalignment, call technicians to inspect the system and restore the door to its tracks.
4. Malfunctioning Opener
If the garage door opener is damaged or its internal gears fail, it may not correctly disengage when you pull on the emergency release. When that happens, your automatic garage door won’t close or open even with power on. If the opener is unresponsive, manually lifting the door may be impossible until it’s repaired.
Get Back on Track With Garage Door Services
If your garage door fails to operate with the remote control, opening and closing it manually is the best short-term solution while you wait for service. When you call a technician, let them know if you can’t operate it manually — they may be able to prioritize your repairs.
Remember that serious garage door failures like broken springs, misaligned tracks and loose or snapped cables require expert attention to ensure safe, reliable repairs. You also need instant repair services when you notice strange noises from the door or opener.
At Poulson Doors LLC, we know a malfunctioning garage door is more than an inconvenience. Reach out today to request a service appointment.
