Top 7 Reasons Why a Garage Door Remote is Not Working, and How to Fix Them

A garage door remote is a great convenience that most people do not even notice until something goes wrong. With a remote control, you can open your garage once you pull into your driveway. There is no need to get out of the vehicle, which is especially convenient during rainy and cold seasons. Yet, when you discover your garage door opener is not working with a button and remote, you feel annoyed and confused. There are many reasons why a garage door remote is not working or causes for a garage door opener to stop working.

Luckily, there is always a solution, no matter what the problem might be. What do you do if the garage door won’t open with a remote control? Continue as we discuss the reasons why this happens. We will also share tips on how to fix a garage door opener remote.

You will realize when there is a need to use garage door opener remote repair services and what you can do yourself.

A GARAGE DOOR OPENER REMOTE IS NOT WORKING: HERE IS WHY

Control panels work the same way whether you have a Liftmaster, Craftsman, Hoverkicks, or Chamberlain garage door openers. And while top brands are less likely to cause you problems, there is still a risk that the garage door remote won’t work. The severity of issues could range from minor to major, and you can repair minor ones, such as replacing dead batteries, by yourself.

However, the more complicated problem will require you to get help from experts. That’s because some of them may be dangerous when you try to fix them yourself. Here is a list of the most common reasons why the garage door won’t open with the remote control. Also, you’ll find out how to fix each problem.

WHY A GARAGE DOOR REMOTE IS NOT WORKING: SOME POSSIBLE CAUSES

If your remote stops working abruptly, try troubleshooting the following problem to identify what may be causing this to happen. Possible problem sources include:

1. PHYSICAL DAMAGE

Have you ever dropped your garage door remote? We bet you have. Physical damage is often disregarded, since the unit might look intact from the outside and be damaged from the inside. In fact, it’s one of the most common reasons why the remote garage door opener is not working properly. To fix this, a damaged unit just needs to be replaced.

2. DEAD BATTERIES

Dead batteries are one of the most common reasons why the garage won’t open. Usually, they last for up to two years.

To check if the batteries are depleted, it’s enough to press the remote. If the light doesn’t turn on, it might be time to change them. However, this is only for remote controls that have an LED light. If you have an older remote model, you can try to open the door with the control panel on the wall. If that works, then all you need to do is change the batteries.

Notably, a garage door opener remote not working sometimes might signal not only a transmitter’s drained battery but also logic board problems.

3. RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE

Another cause for the garage door opener remote not working is RF interference, which causes the signal from the remote not to reach the garage door opener. This might be caused by electric units and other wireless devices, such as

• Alarms
• Motion detectors
• Gamins systems

To get the door fully functional again, you need to call a garage technician, who will locate and eliminate the problem.

5. SIGNAL DISRUPTION

The remote control signal may not reach the opener, causing the door to malfunction. One reason for this may be that the remote control is out of range. A way to test this is by standing within 20 feet of the door, pressing the remote control, and seeing if the garage opens.

If the remote won’t work when you move further, you should inspect the opener’s sensors and antennae. Dirty sensors and aerial could also cause signal disruption. If that’s the case, try to clean the sensors and antennae. If the garage door opener remote won’t work after this, it means that the antenna may be destroyed. Call an expert right away.

6. THE REMOTE NEEDS TO BE REPROGRAMMED

The signal between the remote control and the garage door opener may become weak over time. It is easy to reprogram the remote control. Just locate the opener learn button, which is usually orange. Press this button and wait for 30 seconds.

After that, you can press the button on the remote control until the light on the opener starts flashing. If reprogramming is successful, the garage door will open when you press the remote.

7. DOOR WIRING PROBLEM

If none of the above reasons for the garage remote control not working is your case, it’s worth checking the control wiring. It might be the door wiring malfunction that could be eliminated by reconnecting the motor wires and reprogramming the remote. Or it could be a problem with an opener’s circuit board that has been damaged due to a power surge and requires professional assistance to be fixed.

ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR GARAGE DOOR OPENER REMOTE MAINTENANCE

A few simple maintenance tips will let you avoid situations when a remote for the garage door is not working and help keep it in a serviceable condition for longer.

REGULAR UNIT CLEANUP

It’s often enough to clean the transmitter unit from time to time to prevent the remote garage door opener from not working due to getting clogged with dirt. Likewise, it’s worth cleaning the opener receiver antenna to make sure it accepts the transmitter signal.

HAVING SPARE BATTERIES AND A REMOTE ON HAND

Since both batteries and a remote are quite affordable, it won’t cost you a fortune to keep spare items in your glove box. This way, you’ll be able to replace the drained batteries in an instant or even use a whole new control should it appear that your current garage door remote is not working consistently due to damage.

REGULAR DOOR OPENER MAINTENANCE

When you press the button, and the door won’t open despite the receiver accepting the signal, it might be a problem with the opener itself. It’s recommended that you check the opener unit operability on a regular basis. The best way to do it is to let professionals with a huge garage door installation experience, like STI Garage Door, maintain your garage door system under schedule. We’ll provide comprehensive services and have specialized equipment available to do repairs if needed.

WORK WITH STI GARAGE DOOR PROFESSIONALS

At STI Garage Door, we have only the most talented technicians who can quickly diagnose and repair any garage door issue you may be facing. We understand that time is precious, so our staff works very fast and efficiently, and you won’t have to face the same problem again. With a lot of experience in garage door services, we can help you sort out any situation. So, if you are faced with the question ‘Why is my garage door opener remote not working?’, we are your best option.

We can repair a garage door that won’t open or close. Also, if you are having trouble with the garage door opener or any other component, we can repair it for you or provide automatic garage door opener installation services. We also install brand-new garage doors. So if you need a replacement, we are ready to assist you. Our highly competent professionals work round the clock to make sure your garage door is functioning as expected.

Our services are available 24/7. We also offer emergency services, so feel free to call us whenever you have a problem. Call us or fill out the online application form for any garage door issues you may be facing.

FINAL THOUGHTS

There are numerous reasons why a garage door opener is not working. It is essential to understand that there are minor problems that may cause the remote to malfunction. This includes dead remote batteries, which can easily be replaced, signal disruption, and accidentally engaging the lock battery. Sometimes you may need to reset the remote control, and the garage door will open again.

Also, check if the GFI is blown, as it may be the reason why the garage door remote stopped working. If you still can’t find out the cause, call a garage door expert to diagnose and repair the problem for you.

Call STI Garage Door right away, so our experts can determine what is causing the remote not to work and fix it immediately!

STI Garage Door

Operating in the garage door industry for over 25 years, STI Garage Door is dedicated to quality service and excellence in everything.

The company is a proud partner to the top brands in the field — LiftMaster for commercial door openers and Amarr and Clopay for residential and commercial doors.