Can a Garage Door Be Opened From Outside?

As Calgary’s leading garage door repair company, Calgary Garage Door Fix frequently encounters questions about accessing garage doors from the outside. Whether it’s a lock-out situation or a homeowner’s concern about security, understanding how to manage these scenarios is crucial. Below, we’ve outlined practical tips for handling common issues and safeguarding your garage against unauthorized access.

What to Do When Your Garage Door Keypad Isn’t Responding

Imagine returning home, only to discover that your garage door keypad isn’t working. If this is your only way inside, don’t panic—there are solutions you can try before calling a locksmith or breaking in.

A likely culprit is a dead 9v battery in the keypad. Many Calgary homeowners overlook replacing their keypad batteries regularly, which can lead to lockouts. If this happens to you, try borrowing a 9v battery from a neighbor. Most households with garage doors use similar keypads, making it an easy temporary fix. Simply slide the keypad cover downward to access the battery compartment, swap the battery, and you’re good to go.

If your neighbor isn’t home, consider sourcing the battery from their keypad. While this should be done with caution and respect for privacy, it can save the day. And remember—keeping a spare 9v battery on hand can help avoid this situation altogether.

What If Your Garage Door Opens Slightly, Then Stops?

If your garage door starts to lift but stops abruptly, you’re likely dealing with a broken garage door spring. This can happen unexpectedly and leaves your garage door opener struggling to lift the door on its own.

Here’s what to do:

Enter your keypad code as usual.
As the door begins to rise, manually assist by pushing up from the bottom section until the door is fully open.

Once inside, contact a trusted local garage door repair company to replace the broken spring. Calgary residents can rely on Calgary Garage Door Fix for prompt and professional service to restore their garage door’s functionality.

Opening Your Garage Door During a Power Outage

Power outages can make opening your garage door from the outside particularly challenging. Unless your opener has a backup battery, the opener acts as a lock, preventing manual operation.

One workaround involves accessing the emergency release cord—a red cord typically found on the opener rail inside the garage. To reach it from the outside:

Use a stiff wire hanger with a hooked end.
Insert it through the gap between your garage door and the frame near the top section.
Maneuver the wire to catch and pull the emergency release cord, disengaging the opener.

If your garage door has windows, this process becomes significantly easier as you can see the cord. Without windows, it may take time and patience, with no guarantee of success. In these cases, waiting for power to be restored or calling a professional is often the best course of action.

Preventing Unauthorized Garage Door Entry

Some Calgary homeowners worry about burglars accessing their garage by pulling the emergency release cord from the outside. If your garage door has upper-section windows, this vulnerability is more pronounced.

Here’s how to safeguard your garage:

Zip-Tie the Emergency Release Mechanism: Use a small zip-tie to secure the emergency release latch. This simple solution makes it nearly impossible for intruders to pull the cord from outside. Should you need to disengage the opener, simply cut the zip-tie.
Secure Your Remote Codes: Advanced thieves may attempt to duplicate garage door remote codes. For insights on protecting against this sophisticated threat, check out our article, Can Garage Door Openers Be Hacked?

Your Trusted Garage Door Experts in Calgary

Whether you’re locked out, dealing with a mechanical failure, or looking to enhance your garage’s security, Calgary Garage Door Fix is here to help. Serving Calgary, Chestermere, Airdrie, Cochrane, and Okotoks, our experienced technicians deliver reliable solutions for all your garage door needs.