How to Reset a Garage Door After a Power Outage: Quick Steps

Published Date: Nov 13, 2025

A power outage can be a major inconvenience, especially when your car is stuck in the garage. A common issue we hear from homeowners is, “My garage door’s not working after a power outage.” This often happens because the opener’s settings are scrambled or it’s disconnected from the door. Whether it’s caused by a storm, a grid issue, or a tripped circuit, knowing how to reset a garage door after a power outage can help you avoid frustration and damage. Here’s a simple guide from Up & Down Garage Doors to get your door working again quickly and safely.

Why You May Need to Reset Your Garage Door After a Power Outage

A power outage can interrupt the connection between your garage door and the opener. The garage door opener reset button may need to be pressed to restore normal operation, or the red emergency release cord might have been pulled during the outage. When this happens, the opener loses its alignment with the door.

If you’re still without power, it’s important to keep your home secure. Up & Down Garage Doors created a useful guide to help you secure your garage during an outage and prevent break-ins or damage until power returns.

5 Steps to Reset Your Garage Door After a Power Outage

Follow these simple steps to safely reset your garage door opener and get the door moving again:

1. Make sure the door is closed.

The door should be completely shut before starting. If the power is still out and the door is stuck open, see how to close a garage door without power for manual closing instructions.

5 Steps to Reset Your Garage Door After a Power Outage

2. Pull the red emergency release cord.

This disengages the opener so the door can move manually. If the garage door release cord broke, you’ll need a garage door emergency release kit to open it safely from outside.

3. Restore power to the opener.

Once electricity is back, plug in your opener and check the light indicators.

4. Reconnect the garage door to the opener.

Pull the red cord toward the door or use your wall button to re-engage the trolley. You’ll hear a “click” when the system locks back into place.

5. Test the door.

Press the remote or wall control to make sure the door opens and closes properly. If it only moves partway, you may need to reset the travel limits or reset the garage opener completely.

If you accidentally pulled the red handle too far, here’s how to reset a garage door after pulling the red cord: pull the cord toward the opener until it clicks back into place, then test the remote again.

What If the Opener Still Doesn’t Work?

If your garage door is not working after a power outage, don’t panic. Sometimes the opener itself needs a reset. Try these quick fixes:

Check that the opener is plugged in and your outlet works.
Reset any tripped circuit breakers.
Press and hold the garage door opener reset button for a few seconds.
Reprogram your remote control if it lost connection.
Adjust the travel limits if the door won’t close all the way.
Replace or repair a broken release cord using a garage door emergency release kit.

If these steps don’t help, see our full guide on how to reset a garage door opener for more detailed troubleshooting.

Need a Professional? Up & Down Garage Doors Has You Covered

Sometimes the problem goes beyond a simple reset. If your door still won’t respond or the garage door opener reset button isn’t working, it may be time to call a professional.

Up & Down Garage Doors provides expert service for homeowners and businesses across the U.S. Our trained technicians can diagnose opener problems, repair electrical issues, or replace damaged parts quickly. Whether you need help reconnecting the garage door to the opener or upgrading your opener system, we’re here to help.

Explore our garage door opener services for fast and reliable support. Don’t wait until the next outage — schedule your repair or inspection today.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to reset a Chamberlain garage door opener after a power outage?

For most Chamberlain models, you simply re-engage the trolley by pulling the red cord or running the opener with the wall button until it clicks and reconnects.

How to reset a Liftmaster garage door opener after a power outage?

Similar to Chamberlain, reconnecting a Liftmaster involves pulling the emergency cord to re-engage the lever or just pressing the wall control to have the opener catch the trolley automatically.

What if my Liftmaster garage door opener is not working after a power outage?

If it’s not working after reconnecting the trolley, check the safety sensors for alignment and look for flashing error lights on the motor unit. Read how to test and check garage door sensors to rule out a sensor issue.

How to reset a Genie garage door opener after a power outage?

On many Genie models, you pull the red cord away from the door to disengage, and then pull it toward the door to re-engage the carriage before running the motor.

How to reset Craftsman garage door opener after a power outage?

Most Craftsman openers will automatically re-engage. Just press the wall button, and the opener’s trolley will travel until it locks back into the door bracket.

Do you have to reset a garage door opener after a power outage?

Yes — in many cases, the opener needs to be reset if it lost power, remote memory, or safety sensor alignment during the outage.

How to open a garage door manually from the outside?

If your power is out and you don’t have remote access, use the emergency release mechanism. Here’s a full guide on how to open a garage door manually.

If you’re a homeowner looking to cut energy bills and make your space more efficient, solar power may be a great option. While most people think of rooftop panels first, the garage is one area that often gets overlooked, even though it can use more energy than you’d expect, especially with lighting, tools, and the door opener running on electricity. In this article, we’ll walk through how solar-powered garage setups work, the benefits and potential drawbacks, and how to tell if adding solar to your garage makes sense for your home. If you decide to explore this kind of upgrade, working with an experienced garage door company can help you figure out the best setup for your property and avoid common mistakes when going solar.

Are Solar-Powered Garage Doors the Future? What Homeowners Need to Know

What if your garage door could save you money, lower your energy bills, and still operate during a power outage? While it sounds too good to be true, solar-powered garage doors make this possible. They combine cost savings, reliable performance, and environmental benefits into one practical upgrade. These systems don’t rely on the grid; instead, they use sunlight for power. The energy is stored during the day, so your garage door still opens and closes even when the power goes out. This provides a reliable backup during blackouts and significant savings on your monthly energy bills. Plus, it’s an easy way to make your home greener and more energy-efficient. Not sure if solar-powered doors are right for your garage? Up & Down Garage Doors is here to help you decide! By the end of this guide, you’ll know how solar garage doors work, their key features, and what they cost – so you can make the best choice for your home.

How to Secure Your Garage Door During a Power Outage

Securing your garage door is key to securing your house and belongings in case of a power outage. Making preparations ahead of time can make all the difference in your garage. We’ll go over the steps in this post to strengthen your garage door in case of an outage. These preventative measures range from simple DIY to reliable backup options to get you ahead of the game. We’ll also go over what to do right now in case of an outage so your garage can be a safe haven for your belongings and family when the lights go out. Need any garage door repair or another type of service? Up & Down Garage Doors is here to help! Call us now, and we’ll gladly address any of your concerns.