Service Contracts

Lift Stuck Between Floors? What to Do Immediately and How Engineers Resolve It

By Sharon Keevins • January 7, 2026

Lift Stuck Between Floors? What to Do Immediately and How Engineers Resolve It A lift stuck between floors is one of the most alarming lift problems people experience. Whether it happens in an office block, apartment building, hospital or shopping centre, it can cause anxiety for passengers and urgent concern for building managers. The good news is that modern lifts are designed with multiple safety systems, and a lift stopping between floors is usually a controlled safety response, not a sign of imminent danger. Knowing what to do — and what not to do — is essential. In this guide, we explain why lifts get stuck between floors, what passengers and building managers should do immediately, and how lift engineers safely resolve the situation. Why Lifts Stop Between Floors Lifts rarely stop between floors without a reason. When this happens, the system has usually detected something that could affect safe operation and has shut down as a precaution. Common causes include sudden power interruptions, door lock faults, sensor issues, or control system errors. Even something as simple as a brief voltage drop can cause the lift to stop if the system is unsure of its exact position. In colder months, wear on components combined with higher usage can also increase the likelihood of these types of stoppages. What Passengers Should Do If a Lift Is Stuck If you’re inside a lift that has stopped between floors, the most important thing to do is stay calm. Lifts are designed to hold safely in place, and there is no risk of them falling. Passengers should use the emergency alarm or intercom to contact building management or a monitoring service. Sitting or standing still inside the lift is safer than trying to move around. It’s vital not to try to force the doors open or attempt to exit the lift without professional assistance. Even if the doors appear close to a floor, opening them without control can be extremely dangerous. What Building Managers Can Do Immediately For building managers or staff, the priority is communication and safety . Confirm that help is on the way and reassure anyone inside the lift that the situation is being handled. Check whether the issue is isolated to one lift or affects multiple lifts in the building . This information can help engineers diagnose the cause more quickly when they arrive. What’s important is avoiding the temptation to reset or interfere with the lift system. Modern lifts require trained engineers to carry out safe resets and inspections. When to Call a Lift Engineer Any lift stuck between floors requires professional attention . Even if passengers have been released safely, the lift should not return to service until it has been properly inspected. Repeated incidents, slow movement, unusual noises, or door problems before the stoppage can all indicate underlying issues that need addressing. Prompt callouts help prevent repeat incidents and reduce the risk of further disruption. How Engineers Safely Resolve a Lift Stuck Between Floors When a lift engineer attends a lift stuck between floors, their first priority is passenger safety . They carefully assess the lift’s position, control system status, and safety circuits before releasing anyone inside. Once passengers are safe, the engineer will identify why the lift stopped. This may involve checking door locks, sensors, brakes, and control systems, as well as verifying that the lift knows its correct position. After repairs or resets are completed, the lift is thoroughly tested to ensure it operates correctly before being returned to service. Preventing Future Incidents Regular lift maintenance plays a major role in reducing the risk of lifts stopping between floors. Servicing helps identify worn components, electrical issues, and sensor faults before they lead to breakdowns. Buildings with planned preventative maintenance typically experience fewer emergency callouts and less disruption, particularly during busy or colder periods. Need Help With a Lift Stuck Between Floors? If your lift has stopped between floors, it’s important to use experienced professionals who understand both safety and compliance requirements. ACE Elevators Northern provides reliable lift repair and emergency support across the North of England. Their qualified engineers respond quickly to lift stoppages, safely release passengers, diagnose faults, and restore lifts to full operation with minimal disruption. If a lift in your building is stuck between floors, getting expert help quickly helps protect passengers, reduce downtime, and prevent repeat issues.

Power Cut and the Lift Stopped Working? What to Do and How Engineers Restore Service

By Sharon Keevins • January 7, 2026

Power Cut and the Lift Stopped Working? What to Do and How Engineers Restore Service If there’s been a power cut and your lift has stopped working, it can cause immediate disruption — especially in busy buildings where people rely on lifts every day. Even a short loss of power can leave a lift out of service long after electricity has been restored, which often leads people to wonder whether something has gone wrong. This situation is very common across the UK, particularly during winter storms and periods of bad weather. In many cases, the lift has done exactly what it was designed to do: shut down safely to protect passengers. In this guide, we’ll explain why lifts often stop working after power cuts, what you can safely check, and when a lift engineer is needed to get everything running again. Why Power Cuts Affect Lifts Lifts are sensitive, safety-critical systems that rely on a stable power supply. When a power cut occurs — even briefly — the lift’s control system may shut down to prevent unsafe operation. This is especially true if the power supply drops suddenly or returns unevenly. During storms or network issues, power can flicker on and off several times. These fluctuations can trigger lift safety circuits or cause control systems to lock out. While the electricity may come back quickly, the lift often stays out of service until it has been properly checked and reset. Why the Lift Doesn’t Restart When the Power Comes Back A common assumption is that once the power returns, the lift should automatically start working again. In reality, many lifts are designed not to restart without inspection. After a power cut, the lift system may not know its exact position, or it may detect irregularities in door locks, brakes, or control signals. To avoid risk, the lift remains shut down until a qualified engineer confirms that everything is operating correctly. In some cases, a power cut can also expose existing wear or faults — such as ageing components, electrical connections, or control boards — which only become apparent when the system is interrupted. What You Can Safely Do After a Power Cut If your lift has stopped working following a power cut, there are a few sensible steps you can take. First, confirm that the power has fully returned to the building and that no circuits are still tripped. If your building has a management system, check for any fault messages or alerts related to the lift. You may also want to confirm whether the issue affects all lifts or just one. This can help identify whether the problem is related to the building’s power supply or the lift itself. It’s important not to try to force the lift back into service. Opening panels, resetting systems, or attempting to move the lift manually can be dangerous and may cause further damage. When You Should Call a Lift Engineer If the lift remains out of service after power has been restored, professional support is usually required. This is especially important if the lift won’t respond, doors won’t open, or the lift has stopped between floors. Repeated shutdowns after power interruptions are another sign that an underlying issue may be developing. In these situations, an engineer can identify the root cause and prevent further failures. Calling an engineer promptly helps ensure the lift is restored safely and reduces the risk of repeat breakdowns. How Lift Engineers Restore Service After Power Cuts When a lift engineer attends a power cut-related issue, they carry out a series of checks to ensure the system is safe to operate. This typically includes inspecting the control system, checking safety circuits, confirming door operation, and verifying that the lift knows its correct position. Once these checks are complete, the engineer will test the lift under normal conditions before returning it to service. This careful process ensures reliability and protects passengers. Reducing the Risk of Power Cut Lift Failures While power cuts can’t always be prevented, regular lift maintenance can reduce their impact. Servicing helps ensure electrical components, control systems and safety devices are in good condition and able to recover correctly after interruptions. Buildings with planned maintenance often experience fewer extended shutdowns following power issues, saving time and reducing disruption. Need Help After a Power Cut Has Stopped Your Lift? If a power cut has caused your lift to stop working, professional support can help get things moving again quickly and safely. These situations require experience, proper testing, and a strong focus on compliance. ACE Elevators Northern provides reliable lift repair and maintenance services across the North of England. Their engineers regularly attend power-related lift shutdowns, diagnosing issues efficiently and restoring safe operation with minimal disruption. If your lift hasn’t restarted after a power cut, getting expert help early can prevent further problems and keep your building running smoothly. ice.

Lift Not Working After a Fire Alarm? What to Do and When to Call an Engineer

By Sharon Keevins • January 7, 2026

Lift Not Working After a Fire Alarm? What to Do and When to Call an Engineer If your lift isn’t working after a fire alarm, it can be worrying and frustrating — especially if people rely on that lift every day. This situation is more common than most building owners or managers realise, and in many cases, it happens even when there’s been no real fire at all. Across the UK, lifts regularly shut down following fire alarms in offices, apartment buildings, schools, hospitals and care homes. While it can feel like something has gone wrong, this type of shutdown is usually part of the lift’s built-in safety system, not a fault in itself. In this guide, we’ll explain why lifts stop working after fire alarms, what you can safely do, and when it’s time to call a lift engineer to restore service. Why Lifts Stop Working After Fire Alarms Lifts are designed to prioritise passenger safety above everything else. When a fire alarm is triggered, the lift system receives a signal to carry out a safety response. This is required under UK regulations and is intended to prevent people from being trapped or travelling in a lift during an emergency. In most buildings, this response means the lift will travel to a designated floor, open its doors, and then shut down. In some cases, it may stop operating completely until it has been checked and reset . Even after the alarm has stopped sounding, the lift may remain out of service — and this is often where confusion starts. Why the Lift Doesn’t Restart Once the Alarm Clears One of the most common questions people ask is, “If the alarm was false, why won’t the lift just start again?” The answer lies in how lift safety systems are designed. Many lifts require a manual reset by a qualified engineer after a fire alarm event. This is to confirm that the system is safe before allowing passengers back inside. It’s not a fault — it’s a safeguard. False alarms can also play a role. These often occur due to dust, steam, condensation, or cold air, particularly in winter. Even routine fire alarm testing can cause the lift to shut down. While the alarm may be cleared quickly, the lift still treats the event as a potential risk until it has been properly checked. Power interruptions are another common cause. Fire alarms are sometimes triggered during storms or power fluctuations, and even a brief loss of power can trip lift safety circuits. When this happens, the lift won’t restart on its own. In some cases, a fire alarm can also expose an underlying issue that was already developing — such as a worn door lock, a sensor problem, or a control system fault. The lift shuts down correctly to prevent unsafe operation. What You Can Safely Do Before Calling an Engineer If the lift isn’t working after a fire alarm, there are a few sensible checks you can make without putting anyone at risk. First, confirm that the fire alarm has fully reset and that there are no ongoing alerts in the building. If you have access to building management systems, check for any fault messages related to the lift. It’s also worth seeing whether the issue affects just one lift or multiple lifts in the building. This can help identify whether the problem is localised or system-wide. What’s important is knowing what not to do. Forcing doors open, attempting to access lift panels, or trying to reset the system without proper training can be dangerous and may make the problem worse. Lifts are safety-critical systems, and improper interference can lead to injury or further shutdowns. When You Should Call a Lift Engineer If the lift remains out of service after the fire alarm has cleared, it’s time to involve a professional. This is especially important if the lift shows fault messages, doors won’t open or close properly, or the lift has stopped between floors. Repeated shutdowns following alarms are another clear sign that something needs attention. In many buildings, lifts cannot legally return to service after a fire alarm without an engineer confirming that everything is working safely and correctly. Calling an engineer promptly helps minimise disruption and ensures the lift is restored in a compliant and controlled way. How Lift Engineers Restore Lifts After Fire Alarms When a lift engineer attends a fire alarm-related shutdown, they don’t simply “switch it back on”. The process involves checking communication between the fire alarm system and the lift, resetting safety circuits correctly, and inspecting key components such as door locks and sensors. The engineer will then test the lift under normal operating conditions to make sure it responds properly before handing it back into service. This careful approach helps prevent repeat shutdowns and ensures passengers can use the lift safely. How to Reduce Future Fire Alarm Lift Shutdowns While not every shutdown can be avoided, regular lift maintenance can significantly reduce unnecessary downtime . Planned servicing helps identify components that are more likely to trigger lockouts after alarms, especially during colder months. Better coordination between fire alarm testing and lift servicing also helps. When systems are maintained together, issues are spotted earlier and resolved before they cause disruption. Need Help With a Lift Not Working After a Fire Alarm? If your lift isn’t working after a fire alarm and you need it safely back in service, professional support makes all the difference. These situations often require experience, proper testing, and a clear understanding of safety and compliance. ACE Elevators Northern provides reliable lift repair and support services across the North of England. Their engineers regularly deal with fire alarm-related shutdowns, false activations, and power-related issues, helping buildings restore lift service quickly and safely. If your lift has shut down and won’t restart, getting expert help early can reduce downtime, avoid repeat issues, and keep everyone moving safely.

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Lift Stuck Between Floors? What to Do Immediately and How Engineers Resolve It

Power Cut and the Lift Stopped Working? What to Do and How Engineers Restore Service

Lift Not Working After a Fire Alarm? What to Do and When to Call an Engineer

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