Garage Door Remote Not Working? No matter what you call your garage door remote – clicker, visor button or opener, a broken garage door remote causes jeopardy to your home’s security and comfort. If your garage door remote is not working, you can use our troubleshooting techniques to get things back on track. If after you’ve tried everything and still need help with a garage door remote not working, we will be more than happy to help.
Is Your Garage Door Remote Not Working?
1. Old Batteries -Check the remote battery for corrosion and replace it if necessary.
2. Loose or Dirty Battery Terminals –oftentimes, battery terminals become loose with frequent replacement. Simply squeeze the terminals and battery together to make sure they are properly connected. Use a small emery board to clean off any fluid or dirt that might have accumulated before inserting a new battery.
3. Reprogramming – if changing the battery and cleaning terminals don’t help, try reprogramming the remote using instructions in the owner’s manual. Older remote models often need to be reprogrammed compared to newer versions. If you need help, feel free to contact us and we will guide you through it over the phone.
4. Sticky or Soft Buttons –when buttons wear out, they can become sticky or soft. They might become this way if you have dropped the remote several times. If you need to press the button more than once or it sticks when you try to open and close, replace it.
5. Dirty Lenses – garage doors have safety sensors that are usually installed at the bottom on either side. These sensors have LED lights. One should be red and the other yellow or green. If the lights are not lit, both your remote and entry keypad should not be functioning.
6. Misaligned LED Lights – sensor lights normally have a small metal bracket that holds them in place. It’s not uncommon for people to bump into them and shift the lights out of alignment. Just fasten the bracket and jiggle it. If the light comes back on, you’re good to go. If not, refer to the owner’s manual or call us for assistance.
7. Shorted or Damaged Wires – check the wires of safety sensors. If they are disconnected, reattach them. If rust formed at the end of a wire, cut off the damaged section and peel back the plastic sheathing until you see clean wire. Reconnect it to the eye. Check for breaks and staples in the wiring starting from the sensor eyes to the top of the ceiling where power head is mounted. If you spot flaws in the wires, have it replaced by a professional.
8. Sun in the Eye –if a sensor’s eye is in a positioned in direct sunlight, cover the sensors or adjust their location. The sun can trick sensors into detecting a false obstruction and may stop the remote from working or reverse the garage door.
9. Power Outages and Lightning –a power outage can fry the circuit board of your garage’s operator. Lightning can have the same effect by sending a surge of power throughout your home. Power outages and lightning (even at a distance) also affect the wiring of your sensors and wall station. If there has been storms or power loss in your area, contact a specialist to inspect the unit and make repairs.
10. Water Damage – moisture can damage important components of a garage door operator, especially the logic board. This is a common problem with garages that are poorly insulated and in homes with leaking basements.
Check the garage door for water leaks and see if there are any brown stains on the logic board. Add a new seal around the garage door to protect cables, wires and other components from water damage. If the logic board is stained, call us for a quick replacement.
Many homeowners use extension cords to run their garage door operators. It might be a temporary solution but it needs to be replaced with a permanent strategy. Extension cords use more power than necessary and can cause you to lose the manufacturer’s warranty.
If you need further help with a garage door remote not working, Dream Garage Door & Gate will be more than happy to help!
