Short answer: with the door closed and the doorway clear, pull the red emergency release cord down to disconnect the door from the opener, then lift the door by hand. If the door feels heavy, stop, because that usually means a broken spring. When power returns, reconnect the opener before using it.
Don't pull the release with the door open unless you have no other choice and everyone is clear. LiftMaster's manuals warn that weak or broken springs or an unbalanced door can make an open door fall rapidly once it's disconnected.
Before you start: is there battery backup?
Some openers have a built-in battery that keeps them working during an outage. LiftMaster says its battery backup models run for up to 24 hours of operation, and that on battery power the opener runs slower and features like the opener lights are turned off. If your remote or wall button still moves the door, use it normally and skip the steps below.
How to open the door manually
The emergency release is the cord, usually with a red handle, hanging from the trolley on the opener's rail. These steps follow LiftMaster's owner's manuals; other brands are similar, but check your manual.
- Make sure the door is fully closed if at all possible.
- Clear the doorway. No people, pets, or cars in the door's path.
- Unlock the door if it has a manual slide lock or an automatic lock.
- Pull the emergency release handle straight down. This disconnects the trolley, so the door is no longer attached to the opener.
- Lift the door by hand from the bottom, using the handle or a lift point on the door, not the release cord. LiftMaster's manuals say never to use the release handle to pull the door open or closed.
- Raise it all the way so it stays up, and keep clear while it's open.
A working door with good springs should feel fairly light and should stay roughly in place when you let go partway. If it's very heavy, slams down, or won't stay up, the springs are likely the problem. Lower it gently if you can and stop. More: is it safe to open a garage door with a broken spring?
If you're outside and can't get in
Some garages have an outside emergency release, a small keyed lock on the door that lets you release the opener from outside. If yours has one, your opener's manual or the installer can tell you how it works. If it doesn't, use another entrance. Don't pry the door or try to force it up from outside.
Reconnecting the opener when the power is back
On many LiftMaster models, pulling the release puts the trolley in a "lockout" position so the door can be opened and closed by hand as often as you need. To reconnect, LiftMaster's manuals say to:
- Close the door by hand, if it's safe to do so.
- Pull the release handle toward the opener at about a 45° angle so the trolley release arm goes back to horizontal.
- Run the opener with the wall button or remote. The trolley reconnects on the next up or down movement.
Other models reconnect differently, so check your manual if this doesn't match what you see.
Opener not working after the outage?
- The door is still disconnected. The opener runs, but the door doesn't move. Reconnect the trolley as above.
- No power at the opener. No lights, no sound. Check that it's plugged in, then check the circuit breaker.
- The door starts down and reverses. That's often the safety sensors. More: sensor light blinking
- It still won't run, or it hums without moving. The opener may need repair. Opener repair
Securing the garage if the door won't close
If the door is stuck open and you can't safely close it:
- Lock the door between the garage and the house.
- Move valuables out of sight.
- Don't prop or force the door if a spring or cable might be broken.
- Request help and choose "ASAP," and say the door is stuck open.
More: emergency and same-day repair
Sources
- LiftMaster owner's manuals ("To Open the Door Manually" and trolley reconnection)
- LiftMaster, battery backup for power outages
Need help in the Triangle?
Tell us what's going on and we'll connect you with one independent garage door company that serves your ZIP. Request opener repair, or choose "ASAP" if the door is stuck open.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pull the emergency release cord while the door is open?
Avoid it. LiftMaster's manuals say to use the emergency release only when the door is closed if possible, because weak or broken springs or an unbalanced door can make an open door fall rapidly once it's disconnected.
Why won't my garage door opener work after the power came back?
If you pulled the emergency release, the door may still be disconnected from the opener. Reconnect it (see the steps above). If the opener has no lights or sound at all, check the outlet and the circuit breaker. If it still won't run, it may need repair.
Do garage door openers have battery backup?
Some do. LiftMaster says its battery backup models run for up to 24 hours of operation during an outage. On battery, the opener runs slower and some features, such as the lights, are turned off.
What if the door is too heavy to lift after I pull the cord?
Stop. A door that's hard to lift by hand usually has a broken or weak spring. Don't force it, and don't use the opener on it. Lower it gently if you can, keep clear, and call a technician.