As long as it’s been installed by a professional, experienced stairlift engineer…. if the power goes out, your stairlift should still keep working.
Modern stairlifts use rechargeable batteries, so the lift itself is battery powered rather than relying directly on mains electricity while it moves. The mains supply is there to keep those batteries charged.
Stairlifts installed by Stairlift Solutions continue to operate during a power cut.
That means a temporary power outage should not leave you stuck on one floor of your home.
The batteries sit inside the stairlift carriage and power the motor as the lift travels up and down the stairs.
When the stairlift is parked at a charging point, the battery charger uses mains power to top the batteries back up. On many models, charging points are located at the top and bottom of the track. Brooks stairlifts, for example, automatically recharge when parked on the charging points at the top or bottom of the stairs.
So in normal use, the stairlift is already running on battery power before a power cut occurs.
Very little changes at first.
If the stairlift batteries are charged and in good condition, the lift should continue to operate when the mains power goes off. Brooks stairlifts can still be used several times during a power cut, while curved stairlifts are also designed to continue operating during a power outage.
There is no separate battery backup switch you need to activate. The lift already uses its batteries as its normal power source.
When the mains power returns, the charging system starts topping the batteries back up again when the stairlift is parked correctly.
There is no single number of trips that applies to every stairlift.
How long the battery power lasts will vary depending on several factors, including:
The stairlift model
Battery condition
Current charge level
How often the lift is used during the outage
The length and shape of the staircase
For that reason, I would not rely on claims such as “10–20 journeys” unless they come from the manufacturer of your specific model.
If the power cut lasts for an extended period, it makes sense to use the stairlift for the journeys you actually need rather than making unnecessary trips.
One simple habit helps keep the stairlift ready for unexpected failures: park it properly when you are not using it. Keep the stairlift parked at the top or bottom of the stairs when it is not in use so the batteries can continue charging.
If the stairlift is left away from its usual charging point for long periods, the batteries may not recharge properly. That can leave you with less battery capacity if a power failure happens.
Some stairlift models use warning lights, displays or an audible warning to tell you there is a charging problem. The exact warning system depends on the model, so check the user manual if you are unsure what a beep or warning light means.
Yes.
Stairlift batteries gradually lose capacity as they get older. Regular servicing gives an engineer an opportunity to check the condition of the lift and identify potential issues before they affect performance.
Stairlift Solutions recommends professional servicing to keep its stairlifts working properly, and new Stannah Siena 600 stairlifts currently include five free annual services.
If your stairlift starts moving differently, does not seem to be charging properly or shows a warning, it is worth getting it checked rather than waiting for the batteries to run flat.
Yes. Battery operation is used across Stairlift Solutions’ straight and curved ranges.
The Brooks 130 Slimline runs on rechargeable batteries and continues to work if the mains power goes off.
The Flow X curved stairlift is also battery powered and continues to operate during a power outage.
Likewise, the Stannah Siena 600 uses rechargeable batteries that are topped up while the lift is parked, so it can continue working during a power cut.
If the outage only lasts a short while, you may not need to do anything differently.
For a longer power cut, keep an eye on how the lift is behaving and avoid unnecessary journeys. Battery life will depend on the model and the condition of the batteries, so it is better not to assume the stairlift will operate indefinitely without mains power.
Once the electricity comes back on, leave the stairlift parked at its charging point so the batteries can recharge.
A power cut is not the only reason a stairlift can stop.
If the mains power has returned but the lift is still not working, check that it is switched on and parked correctly. If there is a warning light, message or audible warning, the user manual may explain what it means.
If that does not solve the problem, Stairlift Solutions provides ongoing servicing, emergency call-outs and 24/7/365 aftercare across Northern Ireland.
You can contact Stairlift Solutions or call 028 9188 2249 if you need help with a stairlift during or after a power cut.
Customers with older houses, cottages, attics and narrow town houses often have concerns that a stairlift won’t fit their steep
Stair lifts for narrow stairs can fit staircases as narrow as 610 mm, depending on the model and layout. But
Don’t let narrow, curved stairs stop you from staying in the home you love. Stairlift Solutions has several curved stairlifts
Need help? Call our support team on 028 9188 2249 or email Info@stairliftsolutionsni.com
An award-winning local family business for over 25 years, offering stairlift sales, installation and servicing across N.I. We also offer a range of other mobility products including mobility scooters, riser recliners, wheelchairs and much more.
Co. Number: NI622477 (Registered in NI) / UK VAT No. GB 233 6176 17 All Rights Reserved © 2026 and Trademarked by Stairlift Solutions N.I Ltd. – Website Designed by Social Domains LTD