Can an Electric Garage Door Open in a Power Cut?

In recent years, electric garage doors have soared in popularity, going from a luxury to an everyday feature found in numerous homes. Most homeowners value automatic garage doors for their simple operation and convenience, allowing garage access with just one touch of a button.

As the name suggests, electric garage doors depend on a reliable supply of electricity, so what happens to your garage door in a power cut? In this article, the team here at Shutter Spec Security will be detailing what you should do in this situation.

Why can’t electric garage doors operate during a power cut?

Every electrical device in your home depends on a reliable power supply and an automatic garage door is no exception. Without this, the motorised components of your garage door – such as the sensors, control panel and the motor itself – will be rendered effectively useless until the power returns.

Are all electric garage doors affected in a power cut?

Yes, all electric garage doors – regardless of the make, style or model – will be affected during a power cut as, without power, the motor can’t safely lift and move the door. However, all electric garage doors should be equipped with a manual override feature that allows you to open the door manually until the power supply is restored.

Some garage door models may also include a battery back-up, which means the garage door will still work automatically for a short period of time. However, this is only intended as a temporary measure and won’t be a viable solution for a long-term outage; you’ll also need to carry out regular checks to ensure the battery hasn’t run out.

How to manually open an electric garage door in a power cut

Manually opening an electric garage door is much easier than you’d think and requires no tools, apart from maybe a torch if you’ll be working in the dark.

The simple step-by-step process goes as follows:*

1. Your garage door should be fitted with an emergency release cord – simply look for a red cord hanging down next to the motor. This allows you to switch the door to manual mode during an emergency or a power cut.
2. Gently pull the cord to disengage the garage door from the motor. If you have to yank it and use excessive force, then this signals further problems with the mechanism of your garage door.
3. Slowly lift the garage door manually. To ensure your safety, avoid standing directly underneath it and check for any signs of damage.
4. Secure the door in place. For sectional and up and over garage doors, this means checking that the garage door is on the ceiling track correctly. For roller garage doors, ensure the door has been properly rolled into the case and the safety catch is in place.

*Every garage door is different and this process may vary depending on your specific model. Consult your user manual if you’re unsure.

What if the emergency release cord isn’t working?

There are a whole host of reasons your emergency release cord might not be working, ranging from minor issues such as an obstruction on the track or a jammed mechanism, to major issues such as a misaligned track or a broken spring or cable.

You should never pull on the cord too hard or attempt to force the garage door open, as this will likely cause further damage to the mechanism and can also cause injury. Instead, call on a garage door professional, such as Shutter Spec Security, for help. We can assess and diagnose the problem before carrying out the necessary repairs to ensure everything is working as it should be in no time.

Can you close an electric garage door during a power cut?

Yes, it is possible to close an electric garage door during a power cut; however, you’ll have to do so manually.

If you’re wondering how to close an electric garage door without power, the process is the same as the above: locate and pull the emergency release cord, then lower the garage door. With some models, you may also need to re-engage or reset the motor to lock the door in place.

What to do if your garage door won’t close manually

If your garage door won’t close manually, the first thing you need to do is check for any obstructions or debris that might be in the way; the solution may be as simple as moving blockages from the track.

Then, carefully inspect your garage door and look for any visible signs of damage, such as a bent track or jammed rollers. Your garage door can be heavy and dangerous, so if you notice an issue, it’s best to consult a garage door professional for help rather than attempt a DIY repair. Here at Shutter Spec Security, we offer a comprehensive garage door repairs service.

How to reset an electric garage door after a power cut

Remember, once you’ve pulled the emergency release cord and put the garage door into manual mode, most models will stay like that until you decide otherwise. You may have to pull the emergency release cord again to re-engage the motor.

Then, try opening your garage door as you normally would with the remote or wall switch and check it’s operating as usual; make sure to test the safety features as well. If you notice any issues after the power cut, such as the motor not responding or the garage door opening sluggishly, then you may need to seek professional help.

Do you need to reprogram the garage door opener after a power cut?

Your garage door remote should work as normal after a power cut; however, if it’s not functioning as it should, then it may need to be reset. This essentially reprograms your garage door opener back to its factory settings so that it can be reconnected.

But how do you reset a garage door opener?*

1. Check the batteries in your remote are working. If they are, take them out of the remote for at least 10 seconds.
2. There should be a ‘LEARN’ button – consult your user manual as this may be called something different – on your garage door remote. Reinsert the battery and then hold this button down for 3-5 seconds, or until the LED light starts flashing.
3. Hold it down again for another 3-5 seconds, or until the LED light starts flashing. This indicates the signal has been received.
4. Try opening and closing your garage door to ensure this has worked. If not, you might need to consult a garage door expert.

*This method can vary depending on the make and model of your garage door. Consult your user manual for more information.

How to prepare your electric garage door for power cuts

• Upgrade your garage door: If your garage door has seen better days or is an older model, it might be time to upgrade your it. Many newer electric garage doors come with built-in battery back-up options to ensure they will always function properly, even during a power cut.

• Test the manual override features: You should regularly test that your emergency release cord is functioning properly; otherwise, you might find yourself without it at a time when you really need it.

• Invest in regular garage door maintenance: Get in touch with a local garage door professional, like Shutter Spec Security, to invest in periodic garage door maintenance. We’ll examine the components of your garage door, check the emergency release cord, lubricate the tracks and more to ensure your garage door always operates smoothly.

Are you having issues with your electric garage door after a power cut? Or maybe you’d like to upgrade to a newer model? Here at Shutter Spec Security, we’re experts in troubleshooting and offer a range of electric garage door services – including garage door installation, garage door repairs and garage door maintenance. 

With more than 30 years of combined industry experience, we support homeowners across Oxford, Aylesbury, Thame and the surrounding areas of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Hampshire. Get in touch today to schedule a free home consultation.