How to Open Your Garage When the Opener Isn't Working

A Non-Functioning Garage Opener is Inconvenient At Best

What happens if your door opener stops working?

When it stops working completely, it can be a real hassle. You may need to wait for a repair person. That could take hours, or more.

However, if you have an appointment or need to pick up your kid, it’s more than inconvenient.

How to Open Your Door Manually

Thankfully, you can probably still open the door even if the opener isn’t working. This assumes the opener is the real problem.

First, make sure a broken spring isn’t causing the problem. You can easily see if a spring is broken. Also, if the motor starts to move but shuts off right away, that could be a sign that a spring is the problem.

If a spring is broken, then lifting the door manually is much more difficult. Read how to raise a garage door with broken springs.

It’s also possible that you have a broken garage spring and just never noticed it. If so, the added stress on the opener may have led to its failure. Either way, we definitely recommend calling a professional garage door repair company.

If you’re sure a spring isn’t broken, test both the wall switch and the remote in your car. If both aren’t working, and you’re certain you have electricity, then the opener is likely the problem.

Release the Door From the Opener

You’ll need to release the door from the opener. Every garage door opener has an emergency quick release mechanism.

At the top of the door, there’s a bracket connecting the door to the opener rail. You’ll see a cord hanging down from the bracket, with a red handle.

Just pull the handle down firmly until the mechanism releases.

After that, you should be able to manually lift the door. If there are no handles on the door, grab a sturdy part of the door.

Be careful, if you can’t lift it easily, the springs may be worn. In that case you should get help to lift it. Don’t try to lift it alone.

Don’t forget to reattach the emergency release after you lower the door. That will keep it securely shut.

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