After a power outage, most homeowners will be busy resetting their appliances at home. However, one thing they forgot is that their garage doors also need resetting. This can be a hassle, especially if you’re in a hurry to get your car out of the garage.
To prevent this hiccup, we’ll guide you on how to reset a garage door after a power outage fast and easily. Keep reading!
How to reset a garage door opener when the power goes off
The process to reset a garage door opener is fairly simple. Most of the time, it won’t need the attention of a technician unless your garage door has more problems.
So, whether you need a guide for LiftMaster, Clopay, Genie, or Chamberlain garage door opener reset, here are the usual steps you need to take:
Step 1. Disconnect the door and opener
The first step on how to reset the garage door after a power outage is to disconnect it from the opener. Manually unplug the connection between the two, but make sure that your opener is still connected to a power supply.
Take note that your door must be completely closed before you do this. Because if your door is open and you disconnect it from the opener, it might fall and cause harm to anyone nearby.
Step 2. Pull the emergency release cord
Next, you need to pull the emergency release cord to disarm the door from the opener. You can do this by firmly pulling the cord away from the door until you hear a clicking sound.
The emergency release cord is the red rope with a small handle that hangs over your garage. This is pretty standard across door brands.
Step 3. Close the door manually
After that, close your garage door manually and make sure there are no obstructions. You need to do this whether you’re wondering how to reset a Liftmaster garage door opener or how to reset a Genie garage door opener after a power outage.
Step 4. Run your garage door opener
The next thing you need to do is to press the close button on your garage door. This will cause the opener chain to move its trolley automatically and re-connect to your door’s arm. Also, it will reset the opener’s system, ensuring that it’s in a closed setting once it reconnects to your garage door.
However, some garage doors may not have this automatic function. In that case, you can hop on a ladder and reconnect the trolley manually.
Step 5. Test your door
After you finish these steps on how to reset a garage door opener, make sure you give it a quick test. See if your door will open and close properly while listening for any unusual sounds.
If everything went smoothly, then you’ve successfully reset your garage door. However, if it still doesn’t work, you should consider calling garage door repair experts.
A few safety reminders before you reset a garage door
While the process on how to reset garage door opener after power outage is fairly simple, you should still observe some precautions. Here are some things you should always keep in mind:
- Clear the area. Before you start working on your garage door, make sure that there are no random items or tools that may get in the way. Also, make sure there are no kids, pets, or other people that could get hurt as you reset your garage door.
- Be easy with the cord. Always remember that the emergency release cord only needs a firm pull. Don’t yank or overdo it, as it may lead to more damage and more work on your part.
- Always disconnect the door. Whether you’re doing garage door programming or other tune-ups, make sure you always disconnect the door. This will prevent many possible problems along the way, like your door slamming shut all of a sudden.
- Watch your fingers. Avoid putting those ‘pointers’ between door sections or you could get an awful pinching. This is especially true if you have kids or other people who might play around the garage door.
- Don’t hesitate to call for help. Resetting a garage door is a very common problem, but in some cases, it may need more than just some simple steps. In this case, you can always call our technicians to give your door a quick check and repair.
My garage door still won’t work after the reset. What should I do?
If you’ve already reconnected your garage door after a power outage and it still won’t work, it’s best to call for a professional garage door repair.
It’s possible that your door sustained damage during the power outage or for some other reason.
More often than not, your door opener has been damaged by a power surge. If it happened during a storm, you’d want to rule out lighting strikes, which can also cause issues with your opener’s electrical components.
Whatever it is, the problem is best repaired by a licensed technician. At California Garage Door Repair, we provide 24/7 garage door opener repair to restore the functionality of your garage door as soon as possible.
Aside from standard home garage doors, we also provide roll up door repair for residential and commercial properties that might be experiencing the same issue.
How to open a garage door with no power
While waiting for our technicians to arrive, you can still get your car out of the garage by opening the door manually.
For this, simply pull the emergency release cord, which is the red rope that hangs overhead. After that, gently lift the door to open your garage.
However, you should be careful as the door may fall off if you don’t open it fully. We recommend putting vice grips on each side to hold the door open and prevent any accidents.
Anyway, you can always choose to close it after you’ve gotten out of your garage door. This way, your home will be safe from unauthorized access or exposure to outdoor elements.
Need more help with your garage door after a power outage?
A power outage is a big inconvenience, not to mention that it can also mess up your garage door. If you’re having a hard time resetting your door or it’s not working despite following the steps above, call us at California Garage Door Repair right away.
We offer 24/7 repair services, and our licensed door technicians will restore your garage door as fast as possible. We service Los Angeles and surrounding areas, even on weekends, holidays, and outside business hours.
Aside from repairs, we also provide a new garage door installation once you’re ready to upgrade your old door. We also offer the best warranty coverage for your peace of mind.
As a family-owned repair company, rest assured that we provide the same level of service as we do on our own homes. We’ve been in the industry since 2006, and we’ve seen almost every garage door problem imaginable.
So, if you want expert yet affordable garage door repair service, call us, and we will send our technicians your way! You can also request a free quote anytime!
