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When you come home after a busy, long day at work or running errands, you press your garage door remote, but the door doesn’t respond. Since your garage door is likely the entrance you use most, it’s common for the system to experience issues over time.
Whether your garage door remote is not working at all or has trouble operating smoothly, it’s helpful to understand the common reasons why this happens. Knowing how to troubleshoot and fix garage door remote problems can save you time and frustration.
This article will cover everything you need to know about garage door remotes, including how they function, potential causes, quick fixes, and more.
How Does a Garage Door Remote Work?
A garage door remote uses radio frequency (RF) signals to communicate with the door opener installed within your garage. The remotes are rather simple devices: they have a small battery, an antenna, a transmitter, and a button.
When you press the button on your remote, it sends a signal to the door opener, telling it to open or close. It’s like sending a secret code that only your garage door understands.
This way, you won’t have to manually lift the heavy door or walk up to use a keypad, making things much easier and more convenient.
Garage door systems typically operate on a frequency between 350 and 390 MHz. If your garage door remote stops working, it could be due to a disruption or malfunction with this signal.
We’ll share some tips and DIY fixes to help you troubleshoot and solve the problem. However, in some cases, you may need a professional to inspect and repair your garage door remote.
Garage Door Remote Not Working: Potential Causes and Quick Fixes
Garage door remotes can stop working for several reasons, such as a dead battery or full system malfunction. These issues could prevent your garage door remote – and the entire opener system – from functioning properly.
Before you call professional technicians for help with your garage door opener remote not working, you can use a few easy tricks to fix it at home. These quick tips and fixes may help save your day and get your garage door moving again.
Let’s look at seven potential causes behind your garage door remote not working and how to fix them.
Drained Batteries
One of the most common reasons your garage door remote may not work is depleted batteries.
Try using your garage’s wall-mounted control panel to check if this is the issue. If the door responds to the panel, the remote’s batteries are likely dead.
Quick Fix
Luckily, you can easily fix drained remote battery issues. Garage door remote batteries often last about two years.
If the remote doesn’t signal to the receiver, swap out the old batteries for new ones and test them again. Make sure to use the correct type of batteries for your remote to ensure it works properly.
Physical Damage
If your garage door remote was stepped on or dropped, it may be damaged – even if it seems intact on the exterior.
Here are some common types of damage your garage door remote can experience:
- Dropping the remote
- General wear and tear – An older remote can crack or break from regular use.
- Weather-related damage – Leaving the remote outside in rain, snow, or extreme temperatures can cause harm.
- Water damage
- Leaving it in your car. Extreme temperatures inside your vehicle can damage the remote’s exterior and internal wiring.
Quick Fix
If you suspect physical damage, the only option is to replace the remote. Keep your new remote in a dry, safe place to prevent damage from weather or accidents.
Disrupted Signal
Is your garage remote not working after new battery? Disrupted signals might be the reason.
If you change your garage door remote batteries and the door doesn’t respond to its signal, chances are there could be an obstruction.
Disrupted signals may also result from clicking your remote far from the garage door or a broken antenna.
Quick fix
When trying to open the garage door, make sure you’re within 20 feet of it. If you’re close enough but the door still won’t respond, check for anything that may block the signal.
Also, inspect the antenna to ensure it’s pointing toward the door and is free from debris. If the antenna is damaged, contact a repair professional.
Engaged Lock Button
If the lock button on your garage door’s control panel is engaged, your remote will not work, and the garage door won’t open.
Quick Fix
Press the lock button on the control panel to disengage it. If the door responds, the issue is resolved. Once you unlock it, double-check that the wall control panel still functions by pressing it.
Remote Requires Reset
Over time, your garage door remote may lose connection with the opener. Reprogramming the remote can easily fix this.
Quick Fix
To reset the remote, locate the “Learn ” button on your garage door opener’s control panel. Press it for 30 seconds, then release it. Afterward, hold the “Learn ” button on the remote for three seconds.
The reset is successful if you notice the opener blink or the LED light flash. Test the remote to ensure it works.
Door Wiring Malfunction
If none of the above solutions work, the problem might be a wiring malfunction in the opener’s circuit board, often caused by a power surge.
Quick Fix
This issue requires a professional. A technician will inspect the opener, test the wiring, and clear the system’s memory. Then, they will reprogram your garage door remote and reconnect its wiring.
In the end, they will test the system to make sure it’s functioning correctly.
How to Replace Your Garage Door Opener Remote Battery
If your garage door doesn’t open when you’re using the remote or acting inconsistently, it might be time to change the batteries.
So, is your garage door remote not working? Follow the steps below to the T to replace its battery and get it working again.
Remove the Back Cover
Flip the remote over and remove the back cover. In most cases, you can remove it by pressing or sliding it off; no tools are needed.
However, if the back cover is secured with a screw, you’ll need a small screwdriver to remove it. Smaller screwdrivers, such as the ones in glasses repair kits, work well for this.
Identify the Battery Type
Before you replace the battery, you must know which kind to buy for your garage door remote. The battery type is usually listed on the remote’s back, in the owner’s manual, or on the manufacturer’s website.
Most remotes use lithium batteries, such as CR2032 or CR2016. Using the wrong type could damage the remote, so double-check that you have the right one.
Once you know the type, you can buy a replacement battery from an online retailer or hardware store.
Install the New Battery
While purchasing the battery, check its voltage and amperage to make sure it matches your remote’s specifications.
Insert your new battery with the correct polarity (indicated by plus and minus signs), and close the battery compartment securely.
Reprogram the Remote
Once the new battery is installed, you may need to reprogram the remote to your garage door opener. The process may vary by brand, so consult the manufacturer’s manual for exact steps.
Generally, you’ll need to press the “learn” button on your garage door opener. Then, press and hold the button on the remote you want to program. Make sure to hold it for a few seconds until the garage door opener recognizes the remote.
Test the button on your garage door remote to see if it works. If the door closes or opens, you have successfully reprogrammed it. If it doesn’t, review the instructions in your manual and try again.
If you’re still having trouble, it may be time to consult a professional.
How to Choose the Right Garage Door Remote
A spare garage door remote is always useful, especially if multiple family members need access to your garage.
While you can buy a universal garage door remote, we recommend choosing one that matches your garage door opener’s brand and model. This way, you know the remote will work properly with your system.
Here’s how to select the right garage door remote so you won’t experience issues like Lift Master or Chamberlain garage door opener remote not working.
Find Garage Door Opener Information
To choose the correct remote, you’ll need to know the brand and model of your garage door opener.
This information is typically found on the motor unit attached to your garage ceiling or the external receiver. With these details, you can easily find a remote that matches your system.
Determine What Type of Garage Door Remote You Need
Consider what type of remote suits your needs. Do you prefer a portable garage door remote you can attach to your keys or clip to your car visor? Or would you rather have a remote mounted to the wall inside your garage?
Keychain Garage Remote
A keychain remote is small and attaches to your keys, making it convenient to carry around. You won’t lose it unless you misplace your keys.
These remotes are popular because they don’t have to stay in your car. However, keep in mind that some keychain garage door remotes only work with openers that use a 10-key code to pair with the remote.
Visor Clip Remote
Visor clip remotes are one of the most common options. They clip onto your car’s sun visor, so you can easily press the button as you approach your home.
With a range of about 100 feet, you can open the door without stopping your car.
Remote Transmitters
Also called bar-type remotes, remote transmitters look similar to a TV remote. They don’t attach to your car or keychain and usually have one or two buttons for operation.
Other Factors to Consider
Once you identify the type of garage door remote you need, consider additional features to narrow your options. Ask yourself:
- How many garage doors do you want to control? You may need a remote with more buttons if you have multiple doors.
- What is the frequency range? Make sure the remote’s range meets your needs for ease of access.
- Does the remote support Security+ or Security+ 2.0? These features can enhance security by encoding signals between the remote and the opener.
Also, if you opt for a visor clip remote, check that it comes with it. You should also consider how many buttons you need.
For instance, if you want to control two garage doors and a garage light, you’ll need a remote with at least three buttons.
When to Call a Professional
While most garage door remote issues are easy to fix, sometimes it’s best to call a professional.
If you’ve tried every troubleshooting step you know and the remote still doesn’t work, or if the garage door opener makes unusual noises or struggles to open, it might be time to consult an expert.
A technician can help diagnose more complex problems and ensure your garage door system – including the garage door remote – functions properly and efficiently.
Conclusion
A malfunctioning garage door remote can be frustrating, but troubleshooting can resolve most problems quickly and easily.
Whether you need to replace the battery, adjust the antenna, or reprogram the remote, these simple and quick fixes can get your garage door back in working order.
If the issue persists, don’t hesitate to contact a professional to ensure your system runs smoothly.
Looking for reliable garage door professionals in Chicago? Look no further than We Fit It Garage Door & Gates Repair.
Our team can help you with all your repair and installation needs. No matter your issue – whether the garage door remote is not working or doesn’t work after the new battery – our skilled technicians can quickly diagnose and fix any garage door remote problem. This way, you’ll get your garage door up and running fast.
Contact us today at 708-879-6459 for a free quote or to schedule your repair or, for garage door automation. We’re here to handle your garage door issues, so you don’t have to!
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