How to Manually Open Your Garage Door During a Power Outage
- kathynaimark
- Jul 21
- 3 min read
Power outages can occur at any time in Orange County due to storms, equipment malfunctions, occasionally blackouts. If your garage door has an automatic opener, you may find yourself stuck personally and/or your car stuck personally inside or outside your garage. Luckily, all modern garage door openers have a manual release option that will allow you to open the door manually easily and safely.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1
Make Sure the Door Is Fully Down (If Possible) - Before you attempt to manually release the door, just make sure the door is fully closed. If the door is stuck partially up, it can be dangerous because you do not want to release the spring tension with it partially closed, as the door could fall completely shut.
• Safety Tip: If the door is open and stuck, don't try to force the door closed like you may see on TV, call for professional assistance and let OC Garage Door Guys help you safely!
Step 2
Locate the Emergency Release Cord - The emergency release cord or handle is hanging from the garage door opener track. It is usually a red rope.
• What it does: The emergency release cord simply disengages the door from the motorized home opener so you can lift it manually.
• How To: You can pull the rope straight down or slightly back. At this point you should hear a click that disconnects the trolley from the opener carriage.
Step 3
Manually Lift the Door.
With the door disconnected from the opener, take hold of the handle at the bottom of the garage door and lift it slowly.
• Always keep a firm grip with both hands.
• If the springs are in good condition, the door should glide smoothly up.
• If the door is heavy and jerky, stop and call a technician. Your torsion or extension springs may be broken.
Step 4
Securely Hold Open, If Needed.
If you need to keep the door open for any reason (like if you need to get your car out), prop it up using a locking clamp or block to hold it open securely so it won't slam shut on you.
Step 5
Reconnect Open.
Once you have power:
• Pull the emergency cord again and push the door a short distance along the track until it
clicks back in, or push the remote button and the opener should reconnect itself.
When NOT to Use the Manually Disconnect
• If it feels too heavy to lift, you most likely have broken springs - don't attempt to lift it.
• If you notice the door is off track, or crooked, call a professional right away.
• If you do not have experience with high tension items, do not attempt to work on parts such as torsion springs.
Pro Tip: Install a Battery Backup System
If you want peace of mind, it is worth considering a battery backup for your opener. If you live in Orange County you know power outages can happen unexpectedly. Installing a battery backup will allow you to operate your garage door normally even when the power is out.
Need Help? OC Garage Door Guys are the #1 Garage Door Company in Orange County
If you're not sure your are ready to manually open your garage door, don't take the chance of injury or damage to your expensive door and opener. The Certified Professionals at OC Garage Door Guys are always ready to help with:
• 24/7 emergency service (at no extra charge on weekends)
• Battery backup installation
• Preventive maintenance for outages
You can contact us at any time.