When the power fails, pull the red release cord only while the door is closed, then lift the door by its handles. First look at the springs and cables from the floor. If the door is crooked, heavy or hard to lift, stop and call a technician. When power returns, re-engage the opener until it clicks.
Why monsoon storms leave your door stuck
The National Weather Service Tucson office defines the monsoon as June 15 through September 30. It warns that thunderstorm wind gusts in Arizona almost always exceed 40 mph, and that power and communication outages can be more widespread and last longer than the thunderstorm itself.
An opener runs on household power, so when the line goes down the door stays where it is. The door can still be moved by hand, because openers have a manual release. A battery backup opener may keep working, so check your manual first.
Before you touch the door
- Stay inside until the wind and dust pass. The Weather Service says dust storms usually last a few minutes and up to an hour at most.
- Keep away from downed power lines outside, and do not drive out through a storm.
- Look at the door from the floor: are the springs in place and the cables tight, and does the door sit straight in the track?
- If a spring is broken, a cable is loose or the door hangs crooked, do not try to lift it.
Open the door by hand, step by step
Make sure the door is closed
Genie's guide says to pull the release cord only when the door is closed, because then the system is under the least pressure and the door cannot move.
Check the springs
Look for broken coils or a gap in the spring, and for frayed cables. DASMA calls springs arguably the most important and most dangerous part of the door.
Pull the red cord
Pull it down and back so the opener carriage lets go of the door. You should hear a click.
Lift by the handles
Use the lift handles or gripping points and never put your fingers between the sections, DASMA warns.
Lift smoothly and stop at the top
A balanced door rises easily and stays where you leave it. If it feels heavy or drops, stop and ask for help.
Make sure you can get into the house
Genie says to have another way into your home before you leave the garage.
Genie says you may need an emergency release kit with a key lock if there is no side door. Ask us about one before the next storm.
What to avoid
A door that is hard to lift, crooked or drops after you let go can mean a broken spring or cable. DASMA says spring systems should be repaired only by trained professionals, and cables should be replaced only by a trained technician. Leave the door where it is and see spring repair or garage door repair.
Do not pull the release cord while the door is open or part way up, because the door can fall. Do not remove pins or brackets on a loaded door. Genie describes removing a clevis pin as a last resort for extreme emergencies only; we would rather you call than do it.
When the power comes back
To re-engage the opener, Genie says to push the release lever up with a broom handle or pull the cord toward the motor until you hear a click. Some models need the carriage lined up with the belt or chain connector first.
If the opener will not run, unplug it, wait up to 30 seconds and plug it back in, as Genie describes. If it still does nothing, a power surge may have damaged the motor head. Check the wall button, the remotes and the safety sensors, then see opener repair. Do not bypass a sensor.
Be ready for the next outage
- Know where the red cord is and that you can reach it.
- Keep a key to the house on you, not in the garage.
- Ask about a battery backup opener if outages are common where you live.
- Have the springs and cables checked before monsoon season; DASMA recommends an annual visit from a trained technician.
Who to call
Emil Garage Doors repairs garage doors, springs, cables and openers and installs new doors in Arizona, including Chandler, Gilbert and Glendale. Call or send your details with a photo of the door and we book the soonest visit.
Questions people ask
How do I open my garage door when the power is out?
Close the door if it is not closed, pull the red release cord, then lift the door by the handles. Check the springs and cables first, and stop if the door is crooked or heavy.
Is it safe to pull the release cord with the door open?
No. Genie says to pull the cord only when the door is closed, because an open door can move or fall once it is released.
Will my opener work during a power outage?
Only if it has a battery backup. Otherwise it needs power. Check your manual to see whether yours has a backup.
The door will not lift by hand. What now?
Stop. A door that is heavy, crooked or drops can mean a broken spring or cable. Leave it and call a technician.
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More guides
Sources
- National Weather Service Tucson: Monsoon safety (monsoon dates, dust storms, wind gusts, power outages)
- Genie: The power is out, how to open your garage door manually (release cord, closed-door warning, re-engaging the opener)
- DASMA: Garage door systems safety tips (springs, cables, manual operation, trained technicians)
- DASMA: Garage door safety tips (manual operation, doors that do not move smoothly, springs and cables)