If you’re running late and need to get your car out of the garage but you’ve lost the remote, you have multiple options available to you. Below, you can learn what to do if you lost your garage door remote and how to prevent the problem from occurring in the future.
Opening a Garage Door Manually From the Inside
Let’s say that you’ve lost your garage door remote but you’re still inside your home. It’s possible to open your garage door from the inside manually, but you’ll have to first step outside. Locate any latches or locks on the garage door’s outside and confirm that they’re open. This action will prevent them from interfering with your attempt to manually open the garage door. Then, you can disconnect the power cord for the automatic door opener, which is typically inside the garage.
Once you unplug this cord, you can locate the emergency release cord that dangles from the garage door track’s center rail. The cord is bound to the trolley, which serves as the connecting point between the center track and your garage door’s arm. You can find this cord easily, as it usually has a bright red handle. Grab the handle and pull down on it. This action disconnects the trolley and the garage door, which allows you to move the garage door independently. Note that you should only pull the emergency release cord if the garage door is closed.
At this point, you can lift the garage door up. Lift up from the bottom until the garage door doesn’t move anymore. Ensure that the door can remain still on its own before you let go of it to move your car out of the garage. Once you move your car out of the garage, you may close the door manually. Pull down on the door, being careful to not let it slam into the ground. Once you’ve closed the door, you can slide in the exterior lock bar manually if your garage door has one.
Opening a Garage Door Manually From the Outside
You may find yourself in a situation where you’re outside the garage and don’t have your garage door opener with you. Luckily, there’s a way to open a garage door manually from the outside, but you’ll need the key to the emergency release kit. If you have this key, you can proceed with the rest of this manual opening process.
Begin by locating the emergency release kit for your garage door. You may find this kit on the top center of your garage door. Look for a small lock and use the corresponding key to unlock it. Pull out the emergency release cable. When you pull out the cable, you trigger the release mechanism, which is a process that activates the garage door’s manual mode.
Once the garage door is in manual mode, you can use the key to turn its handle into a vertical position. Then, you can lift the garage door up by pulling on it. Ensure that it remains open while you put your vehicle inside. Return the door back to its closed position once you, your vehicle, and any other family members are safely inside.
Don’t Leave a Garage Door That You’ve Opened Manually Unattended
When you open a garage door automatically, you can leave it open with confidence, knowing that the automatic opener can hold it in place. However, if you open a garage door manually, don’t leave it unattended. A garage door that’s off its trolley doesn’t have anything to prevent it from falling.
Small forces, like a gust of wind, can cause the door to fall, so it’s important to keep the doorway clear. If you’re moving a vehicle through the doorway, do so quickly and efficiently. If possible, have another person be ready to stop the door from moving if it begins to fall. Have all children and pets steer clear of the doorway, and don’t leave any property sitting under the doorway’s arch.
Watch For Issues
When you open your garage door manually and locate your remote once again, you can put the garage door back on its trolley. During the next couple of times you use your garage door, be mindful of its performance. Note if the door moves unevenly or shakes abruptly.
These signs may indicate that you didn’t put the door back on its tracks correctly. You may try to make manual adjustments yourself, but it may be best to call a professional company like Overhead Garage Door. We can ensure that your garage door is working properly for its longevity and for your family’s safety and convenience.
Use Your Garage Door’s Manual Lock
Until you gain possession of your garage door remote once again, you can use your garage door’s manual lock. This lock is on the outside of your garage door. Engage this manual lock by sliding it into place every time you leave your house. This tip only takes a few seconds to implement, and it can protect your home from intruders until you can once again use your automatic remote.
Know When To Seek Professional Help
After you manually open your garage door in a situation where you’re short on time, it’s best to find the corresponding remote so that you don’t have to rely on manual methods in the future. If you can’t find the remote for your garage door, it’s best to call a professional technician. You may also need to call a technician if you’re having trouble opening the garage door, as there may be issues with its springs.
Whatever the case may be, our team at Overhead Garage Door can help. Contact us today to set up an appointment with one of our qualified service technicians. We’ll help you get a replacement remote and inspect your garage door to ensure that they’re aren’t larger problems present. If we happen to find a mechanical or technical issue, we’ll address it so that you can open and close your garage door confidently and use your garage as intended.