If the door is dead after an outage, check power first: the opener outlet, a tripped GFCI and the breaker. Then check that the red release cord has not been pulled, that the wall control Lock light is not flashing, and that the safety sensors are lit. If the door is heavy to lift by hand, stop and call.
Why the door stops working after an outage
An outage cuts power to the opener, and the surge when power returns can trip a breaker or a GFCI outlet. Many people also pull the red release cord during the outage to get a car out, and the door stays disconnected from the opener until someone reconnects it. Each of these has a quick check.
A newer opener may also have a battery backup. California law (Health and Safety Code section 19892) requires one on residential openers sold or installed in the state, so a backup that is dead or missing is another reason the door did nothing.
Symptom to cause
| What you see | Likely cause | First check |
|---|---|---|
| No lights, no sound from the opener or wall control | No power: tripped breaker or GFCI | Reset the GFCI outlet and the breaker |
| Opener hums or runs, but the door does not move | The door is disconnected from the trolley | Reconnect the red release cord with the door closed |
| Remote does nothing, wall button works | Lock feature on, or remote battery | Check the wall control Lock light |
| Door starts down, then reverses, or the light blinks | Safety sensors knocked out of line | Clean and align the eyes |
| Beeping or chirping from the opener | Backup battery low or dead | See your owner's manual for the battery |
| Door is very heavy when lifted by hand | Broken spring or cable | Stop and call |
A tripped breaker is the most common and quickest cause to rule out, so start there.
Five checks in the right order
Confirm the power is back
Turn on a light in the garage. If the opener is on a ceiling outlet, check that the outlet works.
Reset the GFCI and the breaker
A GFCI outlet elsewhere in the garage may feed the opener. Press Reset on it, and check the breaker panel.
Check the red release cord
If the cord was pulled, the door is disconnected. Reconnect it only with the door fully closed. Overhead Door says to pull the cord toward the door opening, then run the opener so the trolley clicks back in.
Look at the wall control
On Chamberlain multi-function controls a flashing light means the Lock feature is on, and the lock stops the handheld remotes. Press and hold the Lock button for about two seconds to turn it off.
Check the sensors
Wipe both lenses and make sure each indicator light is steady. See what a blinking sensor light means.
Overhead Door warns never to pull the release cord when the door is open or stuck partway, because the heavy door can drop. If the door is partly open and dead, call a technician.
If you are locked out or the door will not lift
Chamberlain says there is no way to activate an opener that does not respond if you cannot get in some other way, and it recommends an outside trolley release. A keyed emergency release kit lets you open the door from outside, and it is worth adding if the garage is your only entry.
Once the door is disconnected, a balanced door should lift easily by hand. Garaga says that if you have to force it, stop, because a spring has probably broken. Do not try to wind or adjust the spring. See spring repair and how to open a door manually.
Test the backup battery and the reversing system
Chamberlain says to test the battery backup once a year, per your manual. After any outage fix, also run the reverse test once: lay a 2x4 flat in the door's path and close the door. It should reverse on contact. If it does not, stop using the automatic close.
When to call
Call if the opener has power but the door will not move, if the door is heavy or crooked, or if the opener has to be replaced. A sensor, remote or tune-up repair is typically $150 to $350, and a belt-drive opener installed with battery backup is $550 to $900, with the final price confirmed after we see the door. Our 12-point safety inspection is $89. See opener repair.
Emil Garage Doors repairs openers and doors in Delano, Chino Hills and Bellflower. Call (213) 340-4232 or use the estimate form on this page.
Questions people ask
Why won't my garage door open after the power came back on?
The usual causes are a tripped GFCI or breaker, a door that is still disconnected by the red release cord, a Lock feature that blocks the remotes, or sensors knocked out of line.
How do I reconnect my garage door opener after pulling the red cord?
Close the door fully, then pull the red cord toward the door opening and run the opener. The trolley should click back into place. Follow your owner's manual for your model.
Do I need to reprogram my remote after a power outage?
Not usually. If the remote does nothing but the wall button works, check the remote battery and the wall control Lock light first.
Can I open my garage door from outside when the power is out?
Only with an outside release. Chamberlain recommends an outside trolley release, and a keyed emergency release kit lets you disconnect the door from outside.
Services that fit this problem
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More guides
Sources
- Overhead Door: how to open a garage door manually after a power outage
- Garaga: how to open a garage door during a power outage
- Chamberlain Group support: garage door not responding to remotes or keypad, manual release from outside
- Chamberlain Group support: does my garage door opener require any monthly or annual maintenance
- Chamberlain Group support: how do I test the safety reversal system
- California Health and Safety Code section 19892 (battery backup for residential garage door openers)