How to open a garage door manually from the outside?

To open a garage door manually from the outside when power is out, opener fails, or spring is broken, you need to use the emergency release feature that allows manual operation. If your garage door has an exterior keyed emergency release, which is a small lock cylinder in the center of the door, insert the key and pull the lock out, which pulls the emergency release cable inside and disconnects the trolley from the opener, allowing you to lift the door manually from outside by lifting the handle at bottom. If you do not have an exterior release and are locked out, you may need to use a side door to enter garage and then pull the red emergency release cord hanging from the trolley inside to disconnect opener. Once disconnected, lift the door manually from bottom edge, keeping it level; if spring is broken, door will be very heavy at 150 to 300 pounds and require two people. If you have no side entry and no exterior release, you may need to call a locksmith or garage door company to gain entry without damaging door, as forcing door can damage panels and tracks. To prevent future lockouts, install an exterior emergency release kit costing 20 to 40 dollars, which is a keyed lock with cable attached to emergency release. After manually opening, prop door securely with clamps as it will not stay open without spring tension. Re-engage opener by pulling release cord toward door and running opener.