During a power outage, close the door if you can, pull the red release handle to disconnect the opener, and lift the door by hand. A balanced door lifts easily. If it feels heavy, a spring may be broken, so stop and call a technician. When power returns, reconnect the opener, then test the door with the remote.
What happens to the door when the power fails
An automatic opener stops working with no power, unless it has a battery backup. California requires residential openers sold or installed since July 1, 2019 to have one (see the battery backup law). Garaga says a fully charged backup battery can run the opener on standby for about a day and for up to 20 full cycles (one open and one close), assuming a temperature between 60 and 70°F.
Either way, you should know how to open the door without the opener. Southern California Edison notes that planned power shutoffs for fire safety can run longer than a day, so this is worth practicing.
How to open the door by hand
Check the doorway
Make sure nobody and nothing is in the door's path. A flashlight helps.
Close the door first
The City of Malibu advises confirming the door is fully closed before pulling the release.
Pull the red release
The red cord or handle hangs from the trolley on the rail. Pulling it disconnects the door from the opener.
Lift with the handle
Lift from the handle on the bottom panel. Garaga says a well-balanced door should lift easily with one hand.
Hold or prop the door
The City of Malibu says to prop the door open so it cannot come crashing back down.
Stop if it is heavy
If it takes significant effort, Garaga says a spring has likely broken. Close it slowly and call.
Pull the release in daylight so you know where it is and how it feels. Your owner's manual shows the exact release for your model.
When power returns
Reset the trolley
Garaga says to disengage any side lock first, then reattach the trolley to the T-shaped stem; you should hear a click when it engages. Do not force the mechanism.
Test with the remote
Make sure the trolley is properly reconnected, then run the door with the remote.
Check the sensors
If the door will not close or the sensors blink, see the door will not open after a power outage.
How to prepare ahead
- Know where the release handle is, and check that nothing blocks it
- Tell everyone in the house how to use it, and that a heavy door is a reason to stop
- If you have no battery backup, ask about a new opener with one
- Test the backup battery, and replace it on the schedule in the manual (see replacing the battery)
- Sign up for your utility's outage alerts. SCE says it begins sending shutoff notices up to three days ahead
Quick answers
How do I open my garage door when the power is out?
Close the door if possible, pull the red release handle to disconnect the opener, then lift the door by hand. If it is heavy, stop and call a technician.
Why is my garage door heavy during a power outage?
A balanced door lifts easily, so a heavy door usually means a broken or worn spring. Do not force it.
Will my opener work with a battery backup during an outage?
A fully charged battery should run the opener for a limited time. Garaga gives up to 20 cycles and about a day of standby for its example, at 60 to 70°F. Check your own model's manual.
How do I reconnect the opener after the power comes back?
Reattach the trolley to the T-shaped stem until it clicks, disengage any side lock first, then test with the remote.
What to avoid
Do not try to adjust a spring to make a heavy door lift easier. Do not leave a door half open on the track and walk away. Do not stand under it while lifting. A door that drops is a spring problem; see spring repair. Gate owners should read gate power outage manual release, since gate operators vary.
If the door will not behave
Emil Garage Doors installs openers with battery backup and repairs doors, springs and sensors across Southern California; see opener repair. We work in cities such as Corcoran, Yucca Valley and Montebello. Call (213) 340-4232 or use the estimate form. Our belt-drive opener with battery backup, installed, is $550 to $900, and we confirm the final price after we see the door.
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More guides
Sources
- Garaga: how to open a garage door during a power outage
- Garaga: why you need a backup battery for your garage door opener (standby time, cycles, temperature)
- Southern California Edison: Public Safety Power Shutoff
- City of Malibu: power shutoff FAQ (garage door manual release steps)
- California Health and Safety Code section 19892 (battery backup for residential garage door openers)