Did your property lose power due to a storm or other electrical emergency? If you can’t open a garage door that runs on electricity, there’s no need to worry.
Our experts at Raynor Garage Doors have assembled this quick guide on opening a garage door without power.
Check Your Garage Door Opener’s Battery Backup
If your garage door opener has a battery backup, now is the time to check it. Most units will have a light to indicate whether the battery is working.
If you see a green or blinking light, the battery is fine. You might need to replace the battery when you have a red or unlit light.
What if your opener does not have a backup battery? Unplug the system and proceed to the next step on how to open a garage door manually.
Ensure Your Door is in the “Down” Position
Never disengage your garage door opener while the door is in the “up” position. Doing so can release the door from the opener and make it come crashing down. To err on the side of caution, contact an emergency service if your door is in the up position.
Find and Pull the Emergency Release Cord
First, locate the release handle on your manual garage door opener. This component is typically a red cord hanging from the motor unit. If you can’t find it, consult your owner’s manual.
Once you’ve found the manual release handle, pull it towards you to disengage the trolley from the opener chain.
Open the Garage Door Manually
After disconnecting the trolley, you can open your garage door by hand. Simply lift the door from the middle until it’s fully open. If your door is very heavy, you may need someone to help raise it.
With your door finally open, we recommend cleaning any debris that may have accumulated in the tracks. This will help ensure smooth operation when the power returns.
Pull the Emergency Release Cord Again
If you want the door to stay disconnected from the opener, pull the release cord down and back towards the motor. The trolley will stay in the disconnected position allowing you to open and close the door manually.
Close the Garage Door Manually
When you’re ready to close the door, lift it from the middle and lower it until it’s fully closed. If your power is still out, we recommend keeping your garage door closed to prevent animals or intruders from entering your home.
Reconnect the Trolley
To reconnect the trolley to the opener, pull the release cord down and toward the door, allowing it to re-attach to the carriage. Then you can manually re-attach it to the opener by lifting the garage door, or you can wait for the power to come on and press the remote control to engage the motor. When the trolley passes the carriage, you will hear a loud click. Now you can open and close your door electronically.
Consult With Our Experts Today
If you have any questions about how to open a garage door without power, or if you need any other assistance, please contact one of our Raynor Authorized Dealers. Our experts have the necessary skills and experience to help you with your garage door needs.
