How to Fix a Garage Door Opener Remote: A Comprehensive Guide

Why Your Garage Door Remote Might Fail

Nothing can be more frustrating than a garage door not working with a remote. This section will dive into the common causes of these problems and offer solutions to get you back in control.

A depleted battery is often the main culprit behind a malfunctioning garage door remote. Check and replace the battery if needed. Interference from other devices, such as baby monitors or Wi-Fi routers, can also cause problems. If you suspect this is the case, move these devices away from the garage door opener or change your remote's frequency.

Another common issue is misaligned sensors which can cause your remote to fail. These sensors are usually located at the bottom of the garage door and send signals to the opener to prevent it from closing on any obstacles. When safety sensors are blocked are misaligned, the garage door opener light blinks 10 times on most garage door opener models. To fix this, make sure the sensors are clean, aligned, and free of any obstructions. Follow the steps in this popular YouTube video to fix problems with garage door opener safety sensors:

If these steps don't help you to fix your garage door opener remote, consider reaching out to a professional repair service like Sears Home Services. Our team of experienced technicians can diagnose and fix your garage door remote problems.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for Your Garage Door Opener Remote

When the initial troubleshooting tips provided above don’t help, follow the steps in this detailed YouTube video to resolve problems with your garage door opener remotes not working:

Turn Off the Wall Control Lock Feature

If the garage door opener lights blink twice when you press the remote, check the wall control to see if you have the Lock feature enabled. The Lock button feature disables all remotes. If the green light blinks on the wall control, the lockout feature is on. Press and hold the Lock button for 2 seconds to disable the feature. If you have a different type of wall control, consult your owner’s manual for instructions to turn off the lock feature.

Check for Radio Frequency Interference

If you press the remote and nothing happens, RF interference could be preventing the garage door opener from receiving the remote signal. To check for RF interference, hold the remote a few feet away from the motor unit and press the button.

If the remote works in the immediate vicinity of the motor unit, then RF interference is likely preventing the remote from working at normal distances. Motion detectors on security lights or home alarm systems can cause RF interference. Electronic game consoles can also interfere with RF signals. Find and eliminate the cause of RF interference to improve your remote’s signal range.

If you're unable to find the source of RF interference, you can install an antenna on the side of your house to improve the reception. You can also schedule a Sears service technician to visit your home and find the source of RF interference.

Reprogram the Remote

The remote might have lost its programming link to the garage door opener. Reprogram the remote as shown in this video:

If you can't reprogram the remote, erase all the codes by holding down the Learn button on the motor unit for about 6 seconds or until the Learn light turns off. Reprogram the remote and see if it works now. If so, remember to reprogram any other remotes you use for this opener.

If you still can't program the remote after erasing all codes, reset the logic board in the motor unit by unplugging the garage door opener for one minute. Restore power and reprogram the remotes. If you still have a remote that just won’t work, try programming a different remote if you have more than one. If your other remote works, then you’ll likely need to replace the nonfunctional one.

Replace the Garage Door Opener Logic Board

If you can't program any remotes after erasing all codes and resetting the logic board, then you may have a defective logic board in the garage door opener. The RF receiver in the logic board may not be detecting remove signals.

These tips will likely help you resolve your garage door opener remote problem. If you aren’t able to fix the issue on your own, schedule service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the problem.