A garage door remote not working is a common issue for homeowners. Unless you know how to diagnose the problem or how your remote works, you may find it challenging to get your remote to open the garage door again.
A range of functionality problems might be at play, so you’ll want to consider a few before attempting to fix your remote. We’ll discuss the most common reasons garage door remotes stop working and offer solutions to ensure your remote control functions properly.
Before diagnosing and solving any problems concerning your garage door remote’s functionality, it helps to understand how these opener transmitters work in the first place.
The secret to your remote’s functionality is a radio signal that can be set from 350 to 390 megahertz (MHz). The button on your garage door remote transmits this radio signal frequency and is encoded with a unique binary number so that the door receiver responds to your specific remote.
Sometimes, the transmitter can be interrupted, or your signal might malfunction due to a circuit board issue. To help you troubleshoot this issue, we’ll describe these specific predicaments below and outline a few DIY fixes. We’ll also offer some tips that might require a professional inspection to get your remote working again.
To get to the bottom of a nonfunctioning garage door remote, you’ll want to inspect it for a few key things before calling a professional. There are six common reasons your remote might have stopped working and some troubleshooting tips you may want to apply.
One of the leading causes of a non-functional remote is depleted batteries. To diagnose this specific cause of your garage door remote not working, first check the wall control. If the door operates with the wall control, the remote’s batteries are likely the issue.
Luckily, the answer to depleted remote batteries is quite simple. Typically, garage door remote batteries will last two years. If your remote stops signaling to the receiver, you’ll want to replace the old batteries with new ones and test the remote to ensure it’s working again. Always remember to use fresh batteries that match the kind previously used in your remote for the best results.
If your remote was dropped or stepped on, this can be why it’s no longer functioning. If the exterior seems intact, you might not even realize it’s damaged. Additionally, take note of weather conditions such as rain or snow, that could have impacted your remote’s functionality.
If you determine your remote was physically damaged, the only solution is to replace it. Remember to keep your newly replaced remote inside and away from rain, cold and other weather conditions that could affect it.
Another common problem that might be causing a nonfunctioning remote is a disrupted signal. If replacing batteries doesn’t solve the problem and your garage door still isn’t responding to the remote, an object might be blocking the signal between the remote and the door sensor. Other reasons for a disrupted signal could include trying to use the remote from too far away, a damaged antenna or interference caused by other wireless devices.
To resolve a signal issue, first ensure you are no more than 20 feet away from the garage door when trying to open it with your remote. If you are any further, the signal might be too weak to be received. If you are within this range and the door opener still isn’t responding to your remote, check for and remove any items that might be obstructing the signal’s path.
Also, check the antenna to ensure it’s pointing toward your door and that there’s no debris building on it. If you notice your antenna is broken, contact repair professionals to inspect and fix it right away.
Ensure you haven’t accidentally pressed the lock button on your garage door’s control panel. If the lock is engaged, your remote will seem nonfunctioning since your garage door won’t move or respond to controls.
To disengage the lock on your garage door opener, press the lock button on your control panel. If the remote signals the door to move up or down, you’ve solved the issue. Also, make sure your wall control panel is still working by pressing it after disengaging the lock.
With regular use, your remote can sometimes disengage from the opener machine signal.
This situation might occur after a power outage or if you have recently changed the opener unit. In this case, reprogramming the remote is an easy DIY solution to guarantee the remote signals to your door correctly.
To learn how to reset your garage door remote, your first step is to locate the “Learn” button on the control panel of your garage door opener. Press and hold this button for 30 seconds, then release it. Next, find the same “Learn” button on your remote control and hold it down for a few seconds. At this point, the garage door opener might blink its lights or its LED indicator may flash. To check if the garage door remote reset was successful, try using your remote again to see if the garage door opens.
If you’ve tried all our solutions so far and your garage door is still not opening after pressing the button on your remote, the opener’s circuit board might be malfunctioning. A power surge can cause your garage door opener to malfunction, and it’s best to have it inspected by a garage door repair professional.
If a circuit board malfunction occurs, a professional will inspect the opener to diagnose and solve the issue. To check the wiring on your garage door opener’s receiver board, they may disconnect the motor and control panel wires, reconnect the unit, and clear its memory. They will then reprogram your remote, reattach the wiring and test the door to guarantee the system is functioning as intended.
When there’s an issue with your garage door remote, you’ll want to diagnose and treat it so that you can safely access your garage when needed. Since we typically use our garage door remotes every day, it’s essential to know how they work to mitigate any future problems. To get the total value of your garage door opener, you’ll want to follow our tips to properly inspect and repair your remote.
Suppose you run into a problem with your remote control that you can’t treat on your own — trust Door Pros for answers and a fast repair. We offer garage door services in San Mateo, San Rafael, Sacramento, San Francisco, Carmel and surrounding areas.
Request garage door service today to get your door back in working order. If you have more immediate concerns, call us at 415-717-7015 today!
If you've seen houses with glass garage doors in your town or neighborhood, you know…
High-end bicycles are the current target of a series of residential burglaries in Marin County.…
If you're looking for a new garage door, there are dozens of styles and options…
You rely on your garage to store your belongings and access your home daily, so…
Choosing a garage door is a big decision. Your garage makes up a large part…
As a homeowner, you always want to make sure your home stays protected in case…