24/7 Support: What to Do When Your Generator Fails During a Blackout
When a storm hits and the power goes out, the last thing you want is a generator that won't start. If your unit fails during a blackout, don't panic. There are clear steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem — and a reliable local service team can get you back up and running quickly.
What Are the Most Common Reasons a Generator Fails to Start?
The most common causes of generator failure are a dead battery, low oil, bad fuel, or a tripped circuit breaker. Before calling for service, check these basics first — they're often simple fixes you can handle yourself.
- Dead battery: Your standby generator uses a battery to start automatically. If it hasn't been maintained or tested regularly, it may fail when you need it most.
- Low oil shutdown: Many generators are designed to shut off automatically when oil is low. Check the oil level and add more if needed.
- Stale fuel: Gasoline that has been sitting for months breaks down and can clog fuel lines. This is a common problem with portable generators stored between uses.
- Tripped breaker: Check the generator's circuit breaker. Sometimes a surge or overload causes it to trip.
If none of these quick checks solve the problem, it's time to call a professional. Our generator repair team at Amerigen Power Solutions serves the Reno area and can diagnose and fix most problems quickly. Call us at (775) 453-1048.
What Should You Do to Stay Safe While Waiting for Repairs?
While waiting for generator service, focus on safety. If you have a portable generator, never run it inside your home, in your garage, or near any open windows or doors. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless — it can cause serious harm in minutes. Always run portable generators outdoors, at least 20 feet away from your home.
Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed as much as possible to preserve food. A full freezer can hold a safe temperature for up to 48 hours if left closed. Use flashlights instead of candles to reduce fire risk. If you have medical equipment that requires electricity, have a plan for where to go if your power is out for an extended period.
How Can You Prevent Generator Failure Before It Happens?
Prevention is far better than emergency repairs. The most effective thing you can do is schedule regular maintenance — at least once a year. A professional technician will test your battery, change the oil, inspect the fuel system, and run a full load test to confirm the generator is ready when you need it.
Monthly self-tests are also important. Most standby generators have a built-in self-test mode that runs the unit for a few minutes on a schedule. Make sure yours is turned on. For portable units, run the generator under load for 20–30 minutes once a month to keep everything lubricated and ready.
You should also keep key generator parts and accessories from Amerigen Power Solutions in Reno on hand — like spare oil, an air filter, and a fuel stabilizer — so you can handle basic maintenance without waiting on a parts order.
Why Reno Residents Choose Professional Generator Support
Reno homeowners know that storms can be severe and outages can last for days. Having a local service provider you can trust makes a real difference. When your generator goes down, you want someone who knows the area, knows the equipment, and can respond quickly.
Amerigen Power Solutions is the go-to generator company for customers in and around Reno, NV. We sell, rent, repair, and maintain generators — so whether you need a new unit or service on your existing one, we're the team to call.
Don't wait for an outage to find out your generator isn't ready. Call (775) 453-1048 or email wyatt@amerigenpower.com to schedule a maintenance visit or ask about our repair services. We're here to help.
