How to Manually Open and Reset My Garage Door
Are you in need of opening your garage door, but your opener is unresponsive or your door isn’t operating properly? If you see a foreign error code on your opener control panel or can see that your opener is moving but not opening the door, your best bet may be to manually open your garage door.
While manually opening your garage door is straightforward, we want to always provide a note of caution. Garage doors and their components can be dangerous so always practice caution and call an expert if you have time.
WARNING
To prevent possible SERIOUS INJURY or DEATH from a falling garage door:
- If possible, use emergency release handle to disengage trolly ONLY when garage door is CLOSED. Weak or broken springs or unbalanced door could result in an open door falling rapidly and or/unexpectedly.
- NEVER use emergency release handle unless garage doorway is clear of persons and obstructions.
- NEVER use handle to pull door open or closed. If rope knot becomes untied, you could fall.
To release your garage door, follow these steps.
-
Close Your Garage Door
You’re probably looking for ways to manually open your garage door because it’s shut. However, we want to reinforce the importance of ensuring that your garage door is closed before you attempt to manually open it. A one car garage door can weigh upwards of 80+ lbs while a two car garage door can weigh north of 150+ lbs, depending on material. If you manually release an open garage door with damaged springs, it can come crashing down rapidly without regard for anything in its way.
Note: If your door is stuck open, please contact a local garage door company to help safely close your garage door.
2. Identify and Pull Down on the Emergency Release handle
If you’ve seen the red rope hanging off your opener and wondered what it’s for, we’re going to tell you. The red cord hanging from the door trolley that moves along the carriage is your manual release.
To release your garage door, pull down on the red release handle. The opener carriage refers to the track of the opener. Once you disengage the trolley from the opener carriage, your garage door can be manually opened and closed.
3. While Disconnected Make Sure The Garage Door Is Closed
While disconnected from the opener, the garage door sensors do not work so please make sure your garage door is closed.
4. Reconnect the Door after Manually Opening
To reconnect your garage door, pull the emergency release handle back toward the door to re-engage the spring lever. You can then manually move the door to the opener carriage or use the doors remote and it will connect automatically. You will hear a loud click when the trolley attaches back to the carriage.
Note: Always test your garage door has been reconnected by using your opener.
Suggested Garage Door Maintenance Schedule
Follow a routine maintenance schedule to extend the life of your garage door. A common maintenance schedule look provided by LiftMaster for their Premium Series Chain Drive Models looks like this.
Every Month
Manually operate the door to check for unbalance or binding. If detected, call a local trained garage door technician.
Every Year
Oil door rollers, bearings, and hinges. The garage door does not require additional lubrication. Do not grease the door tracks.
Every Two to Three Years
- Use a rag to wipe away the existing grease from the garage door opener rail. Reapply a small layer of white lithium grease to the top and underside of the rail surface where the trolley slides.
If you’re in Southern California and need garage door service, please contact us by clicking the link below.
