To open a garage door manually, pull the red emergency release cord hanging from the opener trolley while the door is fully closed, then lift the door by hand. Only do this when the door is down, not stuck partway up.
Step by step
- Make sure the door is fully closed. Never pull the release on a door stuck partway open, which can let it drop.
- Pull the red emergency release cord straight down. This disconnects the door from the opener trolley.
- Lift the door by hand. A balanced door should rise smoothly and stay open.
- To reconnect, pull the cord toward the door or run the opener once to relatch the trolley.
An important safety warning
If the door feels very heavy or will not stay up by hand, a spring is likely broken, and the door can slam shut. In that case do not keep operating it. A door with a broken spring should be handled by a technician, since the springs and cables are under high tension. See our spring repair service.
When the power comes back, see our guide to reconnecting the opener after a power outage.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to open a garage door manually?
Yes, when the door is fully closed and the springs are intact. Never pull the release on a door stuck partway up, and stop if the door feels very heavy, which signals a broken spring.
How do I reconnect the opener after using the release?
Pull the red release cord toward the door, or simply run the opener, and the trolley will relatch to the carriage.
Why is my garage door so heavy to lift by hand?
A balanced door is fairly easy to lift. If it is very heavy, a spring has likely broken and is no longer counterbalancing the weight. Call a technician.
Door stuck or a spring broke? We offer same day service on most calls, 7 days a week. Call (503) 487-8942.