Can I manually lock my garage door if the opener is broken?

When an opener breaks, the door may no longer be held closed the way it normally is, especially if the emergency release has been pulled. A manual lock keeps the door from being lifted from outside until the opener is repaired.

Common manual locks

• Side slide locks. A bolt on the inside of the door that slides into a hole in the track.
• Handle locks. A keyed handle on the outside connected to bars that engage the track on each side.
• Opener lock features. Some wall controls have a lock mode that blocks remote signals. That only works if the opener has power and is otherwise working.

Using it safely

• Lock only a door that is fully closed and resting level.
• Follow the door or lock manufacturer's instructions.
• Unplug the opener or leave a clear reminder, so nobody runs it against the lock. Running an opener with the lock engaged can bend the door and strain the opener.
• Unlock before the opener is repaired and tested.

If there is no lock or the door is damaged

Do not drill holes or wedge objects into the tracks to hold the door. That can damage the track and make the door unsafe to open later. If the door is crooked, off track or will not close fully, keep clear of it and call for guidance. Our page on securing a garage when the door will not close covers that situation, and emergency repair explains when a visit is urgent.

Read more

• Emergency garage door repair
• How to open a garage door manually

Related questions

• What if the garage door release cord is stuck or hard to reach?
• Is a noisy garage door dangerous to keep using?
• Will opening a garage door manually damage it or void the warranty?
• Can a garage door tune-up improve safety?
• Is it safe to open a garage door manually?

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