How to Manually Open and Close Your Garage Door Without Power

by | Mar 5, 2024 | Garage Doors

Even with a dependable garage door opener, the potential for a power outage remains a possibility. It is crucial to be familiar with the manual operation of your door, in the event that you are left without electricity. Here are the fundamental steps to follow in such a situation:

Step 1 – Locate the Emergency Release Handle

Locate the emergency release handle, usually a pulldown rope or red tab along the inside wall near the door. If it’s a rope, simply pull it straight down to disengage the door from the opener.

Step 2 – Disengaging the Door from the Opener

You may need to use a screwdriver or hook tool to flip the tab into the “open” position for red tabs or toggles. This physically disconnects the door from the opener to allow manual operation.

Step 3 – Lifting or Lowering the Door Manually

With the door disconnected, you can safely lift or lower it manually. Caution is still needed, as unpowered garage doors are heavy. Consider having another person assist to avoid injury.

Step 4 – Opening the Door

To open the door, pull it upward slowly and carefully. Use caution, and wait to let go until the door is fully open and secured with the prop rod or lock. This prevents it from accidentally slamming down.

Step 5 – Closing the Door

Closing a garage door manually requires similar care. Slowly pull the door down from the outside by grasping the handle or panel edges firmly. Pull evenly along both sides to keep it level. Watch to ensure the bottom of the door is cleared as it lowers. Strong fingers or gloves are recommended for this task. An extra set of hands makes it much easier if possible.

Step 6 – Securing the Door and Re-engaging the Opener

Once closed, secure it as needed with locks before re-engaging the opener by pulling the release handle back into place. Then, test that the opener usually works once power is restored.

With a bit of practice, you’ll feel comfortable manually operating your garage door even without power for improved home preparedness. Just always exercise caution for safety. If you still aren’t able to fix your garage door manually, we at Sam’s Garage Doors can help! Our team is committed to offer customized, cost-effective repair solutions that guarantee long-lasting reliability and optimal performance. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today for further details about our services!