How to Open Your Garage Door in a Power Outage

We have all been there. You are coming home from work in North Vancouver or Surrey during a classic BC rainstorm. You press your garage door remote, but nothing happens. Then you notice the streetlights are out. The power is gone, and your car is stuck outside—or worse, stuck inside the garage.

Most modern garage door openers run on electricity. When the power goes out, the motor stops working. But don't worry! Every garage door is designed to be opened by hand in an emergency.

At Lions Gate Garage Doors, we want you to stay safe and dry. Here is our step-by-step guide on how to handle your garage door during a power outage.

Step 1: The Most Important Safety Rule

Before you do anything, make sure your garage door is fully closed. Inside your garage, you will see a red cord hanging from the opener track. This is the emergency release cord. If you pull this cord while the door is partially open, the door could come crashing down. If you have a broken garage door spring, the door might be incredibly heavy and dangerous.

Only pull the red cord when the door is touching the ground.

Step 2: Pull the Emergency Release Cord

Look up at the rail that connects your motor to the door. You will see a small plastic handle, usually red, hanging from a rope. This is attached to the "trolley."

Pull the red cord down and toward the motor (away from the door). You should hear a "click." This disconnects the door from the electric motor. Now, the door is no longer being moved by gears and chains; it is free to move on its own.

Step 3: Lift the Door Manually

Once the door is disconnected, walk over to the door and lift it by hand.

If your garage door springs are working correctly, the door should feel very light. You should be able to lift it with just one hand. If the door feels extremely heavy, stop immediately. This means your springs are likely broken or out of balance, and trying to lift it could hurt your back or damage the door.

If you are stuck and the door is too heavy to move, it is time to call a professional for garage door repair in Langley or your local area.

Step 4: Closing and Locking the Door

Once you have moved your car in or out, you need to close the door. Simply pull it back down until it hits the floor.

Warning: When the emergency release is pulled, your opener is no longer locking the door. Someone could walk up and lift your door from the outside.

If your door has a manual slide lock on the inside, slide it into the "locked" position.
Remember to unlock it before you try to use the electric motor again later!

Step 5: What to Do When the Power Comes Back On

Once the lights come back on in Coquitlam or Burnaby, you will want to go back to using your remote. You need to "re-engage" the motor.

Make sure the door is fully closed.
Pull the red emergency cord down and toward the door (the opposite direction from before).
Manually lift the door a few inches until you hear a loud "click" or see the trolley lock back into place.
Press your LiftMaster remote. The motor should now move the door normally.

How to Never Get Stuck Again: Battery Backup

If you hate the idea of pulling red cords in the dark, there is a modern solution. Many new LiftMaster openers come with a built-in Battery Backup.

When the power goes out, the opener automatically switches to a small battery. It allows you to open and close your door up to 20 times without any electricity from the grid. It is a lifesaver during BC’s winter storm season.

We highly recommend these models for homes in the Lower Mainland:

LiftMaster 87504-267: This belt-drive model is quiet and includes a battery backup and a security camera.
LiftMaster 98022: A wall-mount opener that saves space and keeps you moving during an outage.

Winter Outages in British Columbia

In places like Maple Ridge, winter power outages often come with ice. If your power is out and your door is frozen to the ground, pulling the release cord might not be enough.

Do not try to force the door open if it is frozen. You could tear the weather stripping off the bottom. Instead, use a bit of salt or lukewarm water to melt the ice along the bottom seal before you try to lift it manually. You can learn more about why springs break in winter on our blog.

Summary Checklist

Check that the door is fully closed.
Pull the red emergency release cord down and away from the door.
Lift the door slowly by hand.
Lock the door manually from the inside for security.
Re-connect the door once the power returns by pulling the cord toward the door.

Need Help with Your Garage Door?

If your emergency release cord is broken, or if your door is too heavy to lift by hand, don't take risks. It is always better to be safe. Whether you need a new garage door installation or a quick repair, Lions Gate Garage Doors is here for you 24/7.

We serve the entire Greater Vancouver area, from Vancouver to White Rock.

What to Do if Your Garage Door Won’t Open During a Power Outage