If the opener runs but the door will not move, check for a slide lock or lock bar that is still engaged, a Lock button turned on at the wall control, or a release handle that was pulled. Unlock the manual lock first, because running the opener against it can damage the door. A jammed or broken lock needs a technician.
1Which lock or handle do you mean?
Three different things get called a garage door lock, and they fail in different ways. A manual lock (a slide lock, lock bar or keyed lock) is hardware on the door that holds it shut. The Lock button on the wall control is a feature of the opener that blocks the remotes. The red release handle is not a lock at all: it disconnects the door from the opener.
Clopay describes a sliding lock as a bolt that slides into a bracket. It is fairly secure, but less convenient for frequent use.
2Match the symptom to the cause
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Opener runs or hums, door does not move | A slide lock or lock bar is still engaged, or the release handle was pulled | Unlock the manual lock, then reconnect the handle with the door closed |
| Wall button works, remotes do not | The Lock button is on at the wall control | Press the Lock button for 2 seconds and release |
| Key turns but the bolt does not move | Worn lock cylinder, bent bolt or loose latch | Technician |
| Handle spins and does nothing | Broken latch or loose handle | Technician |
| Bolt will not slide in or out | Door out of line, track bent or dirt in the slot | Do not force it: technician |
| Door is hard to lift even with the lock off | Spring or cable problem | Stop and call a technician |
Lock hardware differs by door. Check your owner's manual for your model.
3Five checks, in order
- Look at the door itself. Find any bolt, bar or T-handle lock on the sides or the middle and move it to the unlocked position.
- Look at the wall control. A flashing light on a Chamberlain multi-function control means Lock is on. Press the button for 2 seconds and release, and the light should turn steady.
- With the door closed, check the red release handle and reconnect it the way your manual shows.
- Press the wall button once. Do not keep pressing if the door does not move.
- If the lock still will not move, or the door is heavy or crooked, stop and call.
4Why you unlock first
Clopay says to unlock any keyed or slide locks before lifting a door by hand because they can interfere with or damage the door, and that opening a door with the lock bar in place can cause major damage. An opener pulls much harder than a person, so running it against a locked bar can bend the bar, the track or the section.
A bolt that will not slide may be jammed by a bent track or a door that has shifted. Forcing it can make things worse. Stop, and do not touch the springs or cables. See what an off-track door means.
5Locks and openers together
A manual lock and an opener do not mix: the lock holds the door shut, and the opener tries to lift it. If you want to lock up for a trip, use the opener's own Lock feature or follow the manual for your door. Ask a technician before removing any lock hardware, because it can change how the release works. For gate and keypad access, see access control.
6Where we come in
Emil Garage Doors repairs and installs garage doors and openers in Southern California, and our city pages cover California. We work in Moorpark, Fresno and Colton. Call (213) 340-4232 or use the estimate form and tell us the lock type and what happens. Our 12-point safety inspection is $89, and the final price of any repair is confirmed after we see the door. See garage door repair.
Questions people ask
Why will my garage door not open when the opener runs?
A slide lock or lock bar may still be engaged, or the release handle may have been pulled so the door is disconnected from the opener. Unlock the manual lock and reconnect the handle with the door closed.
Why do the wall button work and the remotes not?
On Chamberlain multi-function controls the Lock button also locks out the handheld remotes. A flashing light means Lock is on. Press the button for 2 seconds and release.
Can a slide lock damage my garage door opener?
Running the opener against an engaged lock can damage the door, according to Clopay. Always unlock the manual lock before using the opener.
Can I remove the lock from my garage door?
Check the owner's manual and ask a technician first. Lock hardware can be part of how the door and release work together.
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