How do you open your automated garage door without power?

While your automated garage door provides convenience and security, what happens when there is a power outage? Being prepared for such situations can help you avoid being stranded outside or inside your garage.

In this article, we will explain how to open an automated garage door from the inside when there is no power and what to do when the power is restored.

Opening an Automated Garage Door Without Power

When there’s a power failure it’s important to know how to manually open your garage door. The first step is to remain calm and assess the situation.

All popular automated garage door openers will have a red manual release cord or emergency release cord.

Roller garage door openers are usually attached to one side of the garage door, near the garage opening. The red manual release cord is attached to the motor.

Motors for sectional garage doors are installed in the middle of the garage ceiling. The red manual release cord is usually hanging down from the steel rail that connects the motor to the door.

Tip: Regularly inspect the emergency release cord to ensure that it remains in good working order – it should not be frayed and should still have a handle at the end of the cord.

Release the Door

Once you have located the manual release cord, pull it downward once with a firm grip. This will disengage the door from the opener mechanism, allowing you to manually open and close the door.  The opener will make a click sound as you pull on the cord to disengage the door from the opener.

Do not force the door open or closed without disengaging it from the opener, as this may damage the door or the opener mechanism.

Lift the Garage Door Manually

Once the emergency release cord has been pulled you can lift the garage door manually. Use your legs and keep your back straight to avoid strain or injury.

Be careful, as the door may be heavy, so ensure you have a firm grip and use proper lifting techniques. If the door is too heavy to lift on your own, enlist the help of a friend or family member.

Tip: Take extra care if using the manual release cord when the door is already open, as the door may fall quickly due to broken or incorrectly tensioned springs.

Secure the Door

Once the garage door is open, you should be able to remove your vehicle from the garage without the door falling.  However, make sure you open the door all the way as opening it halfway could make the door fall back down.

If the door does not remain open, you may need a service to re-tension the springs.  Once you have removed your car, re-enter the garage and close the garage door again for safety and security.

Tip: Keeping your door open while in manual mode can be dangerous. Always close your garage door if you plan on leaving it unattended.

Restoring Power and Reconnecting the Door

After the power is restored, ensure that the garage’s electrical system is functioning properly. Check the circuit breaker or fuse box to ensure the breaker hasn’t tripped or the fuse hasn’t blown. If the power is restored and functioning, you can reconnect the garage door to the opener.

To reengage the door to the opener mechanism, stand inside the garage and pull the emergency release cord away from the door until you hear a click (B&D garage door – check the specific instructions for your door brand to reengage the opener).

The click indicates that the garage door is reconnected to the automatic opener. Verify that the door is properly aligned and moves smoothly up and down. To ensure the door is functioning correctly, test the garage door by using the remote control or wall-mounted button to open and close it. Observe the door’s movement to ensure it operates smoothly.

Get a Professional Service

If you’ve got a non-responsive motor or your garage door is not operating as it should, consider a service. Contact the team at Pinnacle Garage Doors to arrange a professional service.