When the power fails, the opener stops, but the door can still be moved by hand. Check that the door looks sound, close it if you can, then pull the red release cord and lift. If the door feels heavy or drops, stop and call a technician. Never touch the springs or cables yourself.
Why the door stops working
A standard garage door opener runs on house power. When the lights go out, the wall button, the remotes and the keypad stop working with it. The door itself is not locked or broken. It is held up by springs, and the opener is only the part that moves it.
ERCOT, the Texas grid operator, has described rotating outages as controlled, temporary interruptions of electrical service that move from neighborhood to neighborhood, typically lasting 15 to 45 minutes before power moves on. Some outages are much longer, so it pays to know how to get your car out before you need to.
How to open the door by hand
Look the door over first
Check the springs, cables and hardware for visible damage. If something looks broken or the door hangs crooked, do not try to move it.
Close the door if it is open
Genie recommends pulling the release cord only when the door is in the closed position. A door that is partway up with a weak or broken spring can fall fast once it is disconnected.
Pull the red cord
The red cord hangs from the opener rail. Pulling it disconnects the door from the opener.
Lift the door slowly
Use both hands at the handle or the bottom edge. A balanced door lifts easily and stays where you leave it. If it is too heavy, stop. Genie says to get professional help rather than strain.
Leave a way into the house
Before you drive out and close the door, make sure someone or something lets you back in.
From outside, use the key release
If the opener has a keyed emergency release, it lets you disconnect the door from outside. If yours has none, a technician can fit one.
Walk into the garage with a flashlight in daylight and look at the red cord. Ready.gov recommends a flashlight for each household member, and it is much easier to find the cord with one in your hand.
What to avoid
- Do not pull the cord with the door raised. Close it first.
- Do not force a heavy door. A door that will not stay up by hand has a spring or balance problem.
- Do not touch the springs, the cables or the brackets that hold them. They are under tension. See spring repair for what a technician does.
- Do not run a generator in the garage. Ready.gov says generators and fuel should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and attached garages.
When the power comes back
Power can return with momentary surges. Ready.gov says to turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment or electronics, and an opener is one of them. Unplugging it until the lights are steady is a simple habit.
To reconnect, Genie says to push the release lever with a broom handle or pull the cord toward the motor until you hear a click. If the opener does not work, unplug it and wait up to 30 seconds before plugging it back in. If it still fails, a surge may have damaged the motor head, and it needs a technician.
Battery backup openers
Some openers have a battery backup that keeps the door working when the power is out. Not every opener has one, and capacity differs by model, so check the label or the owner's manual. Battery backup does not replace knowing how to use the release cord, because a battery can run low or fail.
If you are replacing an old opener anyway, ask for a belt-drive opener with battery backup. The approved price range for one installed is $550 to $900, and we confirm the final price after we see the door. See opener repair and replacement.
Who to call
If the door will not move by hand, drops, or still fails after the power returns, stop and call. Emil Garage Doors repairs garage doors, springs, cables and openers and installs new doors in Texas, including Pearland, Sugar Land and Conroe. Call or send your details and we book the soonest visit.
Questions people ask
Can I open my garage door when the power is out?
Yes. With the door closed and sound, pull the red release cord and lift it by hand. If it feels heavy or does not stay up, stop and call a technician.
Do I need to unplug my opener when the power returns?
It is a good habit. Ready.gov warns that power can return with surges, and Genie says to unplug the opener and wait up to 30 seconds if it will not restart.
Does a battery backup opener work in an outage?
Many do, for a limited time. Check your model's manual, and still learn the release cord in case the battery runs low.
Can I run a generator in my garage?
No. Ready.gov says to use generators outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and attached garages.
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