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This morning I found myself locked out of my garage. My interior wall opener isn't working and neither is the remote. The light on the interior pad is out, suggesting a loss of power. Unfortunately, my fuse box is inside the garage, and I I have no way of entering unless I can disable the opener and manually open the door. How in the world can I do that?

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Is there a window in the garage door itself? If not is there a blank section of interior house wall that abuts an interior wall in the garage and which has nothing on it on the garage side? – bib Aug 6 '12 at 0:10
no window, but yes, a blank interior wall abutting interior garage wall – Anita Aug 6 '12 at 19:11

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Some models include a lock cylinder on the garagedoor. Typically it is in the top panel. Insert the key (hopefully you have it) and the lock should come out when turned. A length of cord will be attached to the back of the lock. Pulling the cord releases the door from the opener and allows it to be opened manually.

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If your door doesn't have one of these I would install one when you you get the door open. – mikes Aug 5 '12 at 23:36
I did look for that keyhole when I read some other problem-solving tips, but I don't have one – Anita Aug 6 '12 at 19:12
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There should be a release handle inside, near where the door is attached to the raising mechanism. It often has a wooden or plastic toggle handle. Pull it and the door will be freed from the raising trolley, and will then be able to be lifted manually on its rails.

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Anita indicated they have no access inside of the garage, so they need a way to pull this from outside. – BMitch♦ Aug 5 '12 at 23:06
I (foolishly) assumed there was an inside access and thought she couldn't figure out how to get her car in and out. A more careful reading would have clarified. – bib Aug 5 '12 at 23:59
yes, I can't get in at all. There is a 3-4 inch give on the left side of the garage door when I pull it; nothing gives on the right. Is possible to break the door free with sheer physical strength...not mine hahaha – Anita Aug 6 '12 at 19:14
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Ok, Solved the problem. There are 4 bolts on the outside of the garage door, holding the opening mechanism to the door. I undid them and the coupling holding the opening mechanism to the door let go, and I was able to manually open the door. The culprit? I was sure the breaker couldn't be the problem, because everything else electrical in the house was working fine. When I looked at the box I immediately saw the flipped breaker...and the only circuit on it was the garage door. What caused the circuit to break on the garage door after 13 years, I'll never know...

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I'm surprised you were able to remove those bolts from the outside, but glad you got in. I'd suggest installing an external manual release with a key and then replacing the bolts with something more secure. – BMitch♦ Aug 9 '12 at 23:13

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