When the power goes out, daily routines can quickly hit a snag, especially if your garage door won’t open or close. Automatic garage doors are convenient, but they rely on electricity. If you’re in a hurry or trying to lock up for the night, knowing how to manually open and how to manually close a garage door becomes incredibly useful.
Why Your Garage Door Stops Working During a Power Outage
Automatic garage doors use an electric motor to operate. When the power cuts out, the motor won’t engage. Most garage door openers come with a manual release mechanism built in, but if you’ve never used it, it may not be obvious how to operate it.
Step-by-Step: How to Manually Open a Garage Door
1. Ensure Safety First
Before touching anything, check to make sure the door is fully closed. If it’s stuck partway open, be cautious because it could slam shut once released. Keep kids and pets out of the area while you’re working.
2. Locate the Emergency Release Cord
Look for a red rope or handle hanging from the garage door opener rail. This is your emergency release. It disconnects the door from the opener, allowing you to move it manually.
3. Pull the Cord Downward
Firmly pull the cord straight down. You’ll hear a click as it disengages the trolley from the opener arm. At this point, the door should be free to move by hand.
4. Lift the Door Carefully
Raise it slowly and steadily until it’s fully open. If the springs are in good shape, the door should stay in place on its own. Make sure it’s secure before walking underneath or moving a vehicle. If it feels heavy or starts to slide back down, the springs may be damaged. Stop and call a professional.
How to Manually Close a Garage Door
Once you’ve finished using the garage or gotten your vehicle out, it’s time to close things up. Knowing how to manually close a garage door is just as important as knowing how to open it.
1. Grab the Handle or Bottom Edge
With the door fully open and the emergency release disengaged, grab the handle or the reinforced bottom of the door. Avoid pulling from the middle or with one hand, which can make the door uneven.
2. Lower It Slowly and Evenly
Guide the door down at a controlled pace. Don’t let it drop as this can cause damage or even injury. If the door won’t stay down or tries to bounce back up, you may have a spring or balance issue.
3. Secure the Door
If your garage door has a manual lock, now is the time to use it. Some doors have a sliding bolt lock near the center that you can push into place. If not, you may need to add a temporary locking bar or clamp to keep it shut until power is restored.
How to Reconnect the Garage Door Opener
Once the power comes back on, reconnecting the door to the opener is simple.
- Make sure the garage door is fully closed.
- Pull the emergency release cord back toward the door to re-engage the trolley.
- Hit the wall button or use your remote. The opener should pull the trolley into position and reconnect automatically.
If it doesn’t reconnect on its own, manually guide the door back to the closed position and try running the opener again.
What If the Door Won’t Move?
If you pull the emergency release and the door still won’t budge, the issue might not be the opener. Broken torsion springs or a misaligned track can keep the door locked in place. These problems are best left to trained technicians, especially if you hear loud noises or the door suddenly slams shut after partial movement. Remember, even though manual operation seems simple, garage doors are heavy and rely on tension-loaded parts. If something feels off, don’t force it.
Need Help With a Stubborn Garage Door? Call G.P. Construction Today
If you run into problems, or the door feels heavier than usual, GP Construction is here to help. We’ve been repairing and installing garage doors in Columbia, Jefferson City, Moberly, Fulton, and Boonville for over 24 years. If your garage door isn’t working the way it should, or you’re not sure it’s safe to operate by hand, give G.P. Construction a call. We’ll inspect the system and fix any issues. And if you’re looking to avoid this hassle in the future, ask us about LiftMaster openers with battery backup. These systems keep your garage door running even during a power outage with no manual lifting required. Reach out today and let us keep your garage secure and reliable.
