Key Takeaways:

A broken garage door can often be opened manually by pulling the emergency release cord to disengage the opener, then lifting the door slowly—though success depends on the damage, like broken springs, which may require professional help. Modern garage doors use an automatic opener with a motor, cables, and springs to balance the door’s weight, but issues like broken torsion springs, worn or dirty rollers and tracks, dented or warped panels, or snapped cables and a faulty opener (e.g., miscalibrated sensors, dead remote batteries, or a worn-out motor) are common culprits. These problems can jam the door, cause uneven movement, or prevent automatic operation, often necessitating expert repairs for safety and functionality.

Read Full Article

Can you open a broken garage door? If you pressed your garage door button and it didn’t work, contact Garage Door Doctor.

We know a broken garage door hinders your home’s security. However, we stay open 24/7 to help. Keep reading to discover how to manually open a garage door and how we can fix it.

How the Garage Door Opener Works

How does a garage door open and close? Nearly every modern garage door uses an automatic opener.

Pressing the button on your door opener’s remote sends a signal to a sensor mounted to the motor on the ceiling. It activates the drive system, which pulls the door up using cables.

You’ve probably heard of springs, but what do they do? They balance the weight of a heavy door. During operation, they contract and expand to make the door opener’s job easier.

Opening a Garage Door Manually

Not every broken door opens with manual effort, depending on the nature of the damage. For example, most people can’t lift the door’s weight when it has a broken garage door spring. To raise the garage door, use the following steps:Exercise caution: If the door won’t budge, consider waiting for a professional to safely open it. Practice safety precautions like moving kids and pets out of the way.

Pull the emergency release cord: Can you open a broken garage door? Probably. Find the red cord hanging from the center rail and pull it.
Test the disengaged opener: After activating the emergency release handle, test if you can lift the garage door.
Lift slowly: To avoid further damage or injury, raise the panel gently. You may need another person to help if the door has broken springs.
Secure the garage door: If the door has intact torsion or extension springs, it should stay open. Otherwise, secure it with a beam or locking pliers.
Call for repairs: Unless you’re waiting for a power outage to end, call for repairs so you can open your garage door normally.

The Most Common Causes of a Broken Garage Door

When homeowners can’t open the garage door and access their vehicle, they most likely have one of the following problems.

Broken Torsion Springs

Your garage door has either extension or torsion springs. While the latter is the more popular option because it can lift more weight, some homeowners prefer the affordability of extension springs.

Broken garage door springs are one of the most common problems. You’ll need a trained technician to replace them.

Worn or Dirty Rollers and Tracks

The rollers act like wheels, guiding the door along the tracks to stay aligned. If they become worn, opening the door manually becomes difficult as it may jam.

Does the door look uneven, with one side raised and the other flush on the ground? You may have an alignment issue.

Tracks can also clog with dirt or run low on lubrication. The door may start opening automatically and stop or make a loud squeaking sound. A certified technician can repair these issues.

Dented and Warped Panels

Can you open a broken garage door? If extreme temperatures warp the panel, it can jam or stick when the automatic opener activates.

You’ll likely need a completely new door. However, you won’t pay to fix a broken opener.

A dented panel likely won’t hinder how easily you can open your garage door, but it’s still a common type of damage. It often indicates a more widespread problem or lack of maintenance that can affect your ability to open the garage door.

Snapped Cables or a Broken Opener

The electric opener and cables technically comprise two separate components, but they work together. These components can malfunction in the following ways:

Miscalibrated sensor: A dirty or miscalibrated sensor can’t read the signal from the remote.
Dead batteries: A remote with dead batteries can’t open a garage door automatically.
Snapped cables: Cables can snap or fray over time and prevent the motor from working with the springs to open or close the door.
Worn-out motor: Just like the engine in your vehicle, the garage door motor experiences wear and tear. Eventually, it may break.

Schedule Repairs for a Door With a Broken Spring and More Today

Now that you know the answer to “Can you open a broken garage door,” reach out to Garage Door Doctor whenever you have an issue. If you can’t operate the heavy door, we can help with our emergency assistance. We prioritize safety, satisfaction, and quality results.

Book online by calling (317) 342-4995.