Every garage door opener has a manual release — the red cord hanging from the trolley on the rail. Pull it and the door disconnects from the motor so you can lift it by hand. It takes ten seconds. But do the one check below first, because there's a case where lifting by hand is the wrong move.
First: is the spring broken?
If the power is simply out, skip ahead. But if the door stopped working on its own — especially if you heard a loud bang from the garage recently, or the door looks crooked — do not pull the release and lift. A door with a broken spring weighs its full weight with nothing to counterbalance it. It can come down hard on you, your car, or your fingers. Leave it closed and call a pro.
From inside the garage
- Make sure the door is fully closed. Releasing a partly open door can let it slam down.
- Pull the red emergency release cord straight down (or down and back toward the motor on some models). You'll feel the trolley click free.
- Lift the door by the handle or the bottom edge with both hands. A balanced door should rise with moderate effort and stay put when you let go partway. If it's very heavy or drops back, stop — that's a spring problem.
- Slide the manual lock if you're leaving the door closed with the opener disconnected.
From outside, when you're locked out
If your door has an emergency release lock — a small keyed cylinder near the top center of the door — turn the key and pull the cable inside it. That trips the same release. If there's no exterior lock and no other way in, a locksmith can open the side door, and a garage technician can release the door from outside without damaging it. Don't pry the door up from the bottom; you'll bend the panel and the track.
Reconnecting when the power is back
Pull the release cord toward the motor until the trolley latch resets, then run the opener. It picks the door up on its next cycle. If it won't re-engage or the door drags afterward, the trolley or the carriage may need a pro.
Worth having
A battery backup on the opener means the door works through an outage and this page becomes unnecessary. Many newer openers include one, and it's a straightforward add for a technician on many existing units.
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Common questions
- How do I open my garage door manually during a power outage?
- With the door fully closed, pull the red emergency release cord on the trolley, then lift the door by hand. Reconnect it later by pulling the cord toward the motor until the trolley clicks and running the opener.
- When should I not open a garage door manually?
- If the spring is broken — a loud bang beforehand, a crooked door, or a door that feels impossibly heavy. Without the spring's counterbalance the door can drop and cause serious injury. Leave it closed and call a pro.
- How do I open my garage door from outside with no power?
- Use the exterior emergency release lock near the top of the door if you have one — turn the key and pull the cable. If not, a garage technician or locksmith can open it without damage. Don't pry the door up.