If you’ve ever been in a situation where you couldn’t open your garage door because of a power outage, you know how frustrating it can be. But don’t worry, there are several ways to open your garage door manually, even if the power is out.
In this article, we will discuss how to open your garage door manually from the inside and the outside, as well as some safety tips to keep in mind.
We will also explain how to reset your garage door after a power outage and how to install a battery backup for your garage door opener.
Note: If you click some of the links or pictures in this article we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
How to Open a Garage Door Manually From the Inside
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to open your garage door from the inside and there is no power, don’t panic.
First, unlock the door.
Next, find the manual release. The manual release handle is usually located along the chain or belt drive between the opener and the door somewhere along the ceiling. It will be a red cord with a handle.
To open the door, simply pull the cord or handle to release the door from the opener. Once the door is unlocked, you can manually open it.
Once you’ve moved your car in or out go ahead and close it and lock it.
Watch this video to see this in action.
How to Manually Open a Garage Door From the Outside
If you need to open your garage door from the outside and there is no power, the process is a little more complicated.
Note that this only works if you install an emergency key release or a coat hanger and wire beforehand.
The emergency key release is a small lock that mounts at the top of the garage door outside. Once you turn it, it pulls on a cable connected to the manual release of the garage door opener (or the locks on the garage).
This frees the locking mechanism allowing you to manually open and close the garage door.
This is a huge burglary risk (especially if you use the coat hanger method) so garage doors don’t come with this pre-installed.
It’s also hard to explain in words so watch this video to see it in action.
Safety Tips for Manually Opening Your Garage Door
Now that you know how to open your garage door manually, there are a few safety tips to keep in mind.
First, always make sure the emergency release is locked when the power is on. This will prevent anyone from opening your garage door from the outside when you’re not home.
Second, if you have young children or pets, be sure to keep the emergency release cord or handle out of reach. If they were to pull it, the garage door could come crashing down.
Last, if you are opening the garage door from the outside, make sure no one is standing in the way. The door could come down unexpectedly and injure someone.
How to Reset a Garage Door Opener After a Power Outage
If the power goes out and your garage door won’t open, don’t worry. The first thing you need to do is check the breaker box to see if a circuit has been tripped.
If the breaker has been tripped, simply reset it and try to open the garage door again. If the breaker trips again, there may be a problem with the garage door opener itself.
To reset the opener, unplug it from the power outlet and then plug it back in. Once it’s plugged in, press the reset button on the opener.
If the opener still doesn’t work, you may need to replace the batteries in the remote control. After replacing the batteries, try to open the garage door again.
If the door still won’t open, there may be a problem with the garage door itself and you will need to call a professional for help.
How to Install a Battery Backup for Your Garage Door Opener
If you live in an area where power outages are common, it’s a good idea to install a battery backup for your garage door opener.
That way if the power goes out, you can still open and close your garage door. Most garage door openers come with a battery backup already installed.
All newly sold or installed garage door openers in residential settings must have battery backup beginning July 1, 2019. This was implemented after several people perished in California’s wildfires, which left them without power and unable to open their garage doors and drive their cars to safety.
If yours doesn’t include a battery backup, you can purchase a battery backup system and install it yourself. Or you can hire a professional to do it for you.
To install a battery backup, first find the unit inside the garage. It will be mounted on the ceiling near the opener.
Then follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install the battery backup. Once it’s installed, test it to make sure it’s working properly.
If you have any problems, consult the owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer.
How to Prevent a Power Outage From Affecting Your Garage Door
There are a few things you can do to prevent a power outage from affecting your garage door.
- First, invest in a backup power source like a generator. That way if the power goes out, you can still use your garage door.
- Second, get a battery backup for your garage door opener. That way if the power goes out, you can still open and close your garage door.
- Third, check the batteries in your remote control. If the batteries are low, they may not work when you need them most. Make sure to replace the batteries regularly.
- Fourth, if you have an automatic garage door opener, make sure the sensors are working properly. If the sensors are dirty or misaligned, they may not work when you need them most.
- Finally, make sure your garage door is properly maintained. Have a professional inspect and service your garage door regularly.
By taking these precautions, you can help prevent a power outage from affecting your garage door.
Why Can’t I Open My Garage Door Manually?
If you try to open your garage door manually and it won’t budge, there are a few things that could be causing the problem.
- First, check the emergency release cord. The cord is usually located near the top of the door. Its purpose is to disengage the opener and chain drive from the door. If it fails to do that you won’t be able to open the door manually.
- Second, check the garage door springs. If the springs are broken or loose, they may be preventing the door from opening. You can still open it but it will be much heavier and two people may be needed.
- Third, check the tracks. If the tracks are bent or blocked, they may be preventing the door from opening.
- Finally, check the opener. If the opener is malfunctioning, it may be preventing the door from opening.
If you can’t find the problem, or if the problem is with the opener, you will need to call a professional for help.
Are Garage Doors Easy to Break Into After a Power Outage?
Garage doors are fairly easy to break into with or without a power outage. Most people don’t realize how easy it is because they’ve never tried it.
All you need is a coat hanger and a few minutes. Just bend the coat hanger into a hook shape and insert it into the space between the top of the door and the first panel or between the top two panels.
Then push up on the hanger in and use it to pull the emergency release cable which unlocks the door.
Then the door can be opened and closed manually.
Watch this video to see it in action.
It’s that easy. If you’re concerned about someone breaking into your garage, there are a few things you can do to make it more difficult.
First, get a deadbolt lock for the door that leads from the garage into your home. That way even if they break into the garage, they still can’t get into your house.
Second, get a motion sensor light for the outside of the garage. That way if someone tries to break in, the light will come on and scare them off.
Third, get a security system for your garage. That way if someone tries to break in, the alarm will go off and notify you or the police.
Finally, consider getting impact-resistant glass for your garage door windows. That way if someone tries to break the glass, it will be more complex and make a noise that will alert you or the police.
By taking these precautions, you can help prevent a break-in.
How to Reconnect a Garage Door Opener with An Automatic Trolley
If your garage door opener has an automatic trolley, it’s easy to reconnect it.
- First, make sure the power is back on and the door is closed.
- Second, check that the trolley is disengaged. Pull the red emergency release cord away from the door and towards the opener. The little spring in the trolley should look extended.
- Third, re-engage the trolley by pulling the emergency release cord in the opposite direction you used to dis-engage it (usually towards the door). You should hear a click and the little spring should look tight again. Some trolleys lock when pulled away from the door and some go the other way. It will vary depending on your setup.
- Activate the opener. The moving part that connects the trolley to the chain or belt will eventually lock into the trolley and you should be good to go.
Again, this is difficult to explain in text only so watch the video below.
How to Reconnect a Garage Door Opener without An Automatic Trolley
It’s practically the same as reconnecting a garage door opener without an automated trolley.
- First, make sure the power is back on and the door is closed.
- Second, check that the trolley is disengaged. Pull the red emergency release cord away from the door and towards the opener. The little spring in the trolley should look extended.
- Third, re-engage the trolley by pulling the emergency release cord in the opposite direction you used to dis-engage it (usually towards the door).
- Lastly, guide the arm toward the trolley until they both click in place.
Conclusion
In conclusion, opening a garage door manually is not difficult, but there are a few safety precautions to keep in mind. With a little bit of preparation, you can be sure that you’ll be able to get into your garage even if the power is out.
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to open your garage door from the inside and there is no power, don’t panic. The first thing you’ll need to do is to unlock the door. Next, find the manual release. The manual release handle is usually located along the chain or belt drive between the opener and the door somewhere along the ceiling. It will be a red cord with a handle. To open the door, simply pull the cord or handle to release the door from the opener. Once the emergency lock is released, you can manually open it.