How to Program Your Garage Door Opener Remote
There are two ways to control a garage door automatically via the garage door opener. First is the keypad installed outside the garage door. You can imagine it like an electronic lock that requires a password key to control the garage door.
The second way to control the garage door is through the opener’s remote. It operates the garage door with just a press of a finger at a specific distance. Through radio frequencies, the remote device connects with the opener to open or close the door.
Today, we will focus more on the garage door opener remote and the guide on setting it up with the opener through the so-called programming.
Programming your garage door opener is a crucial step so that it can read and follow the command of your buttons in the opener’s remote. So if you don’t know anything about garage door opener programming, you can follow this article guide on how to program your garage door opener remote.
What You Need to Program Your Garage Door Remote
To program a garage door opener and its remote, you only need a screwdriver and a ladder. Most of the time, the garage door opener is installed at the garage’s ceiling, so you need a ladder to reach and access its buttons for programming. Then, the screwdriver will open the covers of the opener and the remote whenever necessary.
But aside from these things, you should also know and understand the opener’s programming buttons and their corresponding operations. And you can only achieve it by studying and following the opener’s user manual.
How to Program Garage Door Remote Step by Step
So that you could have a general knowledge of how to program a garage door opener, here is a step-by-step guide in programming garage door openers through the “LEARN” button and door control panel:
How to Program the Remote Through “LEARN” Button
In programming a garage door opener remote, you will usually encounter the “LEARN” button. Pressing this button would set your garage door opener into the program mode. Meaning, after pressing the “LEARN” button, as its name implies, it will learn the program set by the remote device.
Follow these steps to program the garage door opener remote through the “LEARN” button:
- Fully close the garage door and make sure that you are wearing comfortable work clothing and safety gear.
- Climb on the ladder to reach the garage door opener. It is best to work if the unit is at your eye level.
- Find the “LEARN” button. Use a screwdriver if the opener has an enclosure that covers the program buttons.
- Push the “LEARN” button briefly. There should be an LED indicator that is steady for about 30 seconds.
- Press and hold the desired program button on the remote device immediately after step 4.
- Wait for the LED indicator to turn off or after you hear two clicks before releasing the button.
- Test the recently programmed button and repeat steps 4-6 if you have other program buttons on the remote device.
Please take note that these steps are the general procedures for programming a garage door. There might be slight differences between some brands or models. But most of the time, these are followed by different brands, such as Chamberlain garage door opener and Liftmaster garage door opener.
But if you have a Craftsman garage door opener, it also uses the “SRT” button aside from the “LEARN” button to program its remote.
It is best to check and follow the opener’s manual, especially for brands with a wide range of opener models. So for Liftmaster garage door opener programming and Chamberlain garage door opener programming, check your manuals for accurate programming.
How to Program the Remote Through the Door Control Panel
Like the garage door opener remote, the door control panel allows you to open or close the garage door by pressing some buttons. The only difference is the door control panel is mounted on the walls inside the garage.
Today, the door control panel also gives access to the buttons of your opener, so you don’t have to climb the ladder anymore to press some buttons.
To program your garage door opener remote using the door control panel, you can follow these steps:
- Make sure to close the garage door completely.
- On the door control panel, locate the “FEATURES” menu by navigating the control buttons.
- From the “FEATURES” menu, click on the “PROGRAM” button to enter programming mode.
- Choose the “REMOTE” option to program the opener with the remote device.
- Push and hold the desired program button on your remote device.
- Release the button after you see a flash of light on the opener or hear two clicks.
- Test the recently programmed button and repeat steps 2-6 if you have other program buttons on the remote device.
How to Change Battery in Garage Door Opener Remote
Your garage door opener remote relies on batteries to work. But, through time, the batteries will drain, which may show through slow response.
So if you are experiencing a slow response from the opener, before calling for a garage door repair, replace the batteries first. Depending on the remote model, a screwdriver might be necessary to open the garage door opener remote.
Also, expect that the lifespan of a regular battery is about 1-2 years. So, you can prepare a battery replacement if the batteries of your remote device are near this lifespan.
But after changing the batteries, and you still experience slow response from the opener, it is better to seek a professional for a possible garage door opener repair.
How to Reset Garage Door Opener
If you lose your garage door opener remote, you should reset the opener to avoid security threats. So for a garage door opener reset, follow these steps:
- Fully close the garage door and make sure that you are wearing comfortable work clothing and safety gear.
- Climb on the ladder to reach the garage door opener. It is best to work if the unit is at your eye level.
- Press and hold the “LEARN” button until the LED indicator lights out.
- For those with a MyQ connection, you can also access the “LEARN” button on the tablet or a phone to reset the garage door opener.
- You can also disengage the connected devices (MyQ, WiFi, etc.) by pressing and holding the “LEARN” button on the opener once again until the LED indicator lights out.
How to Set Up Garage Door Opener in Car
Most cars nowadays have a built-in garage door opener button. So, if you also want to connect it with the opener, you can follow these steps:
- Locate the built-in garage door opener button inside your car. Usually, it is at the bottom of the sun visor of the driver’s seat or the rearview mirror.
- Have someone to help you since it requires pressing some buttons from the opener and the car in a short amount of time.
- Let one person press the “LEARN” button on the opener.
- Immediately after step 3, another person should press and hold the button inside the car.
- Release the button when a light flashes from the opener or after hearing two clicks.
- Test the garage door.
Where to Buy Garage Door Opener Remote
Fortunately, you can easily buy a new garage door opener remote when you lose one. If you want the same model, you can go to the manufacturer or shop at their online stores or other authorized stores and hardware.
Universal remotes are also a choice, but you need to check if they are compatible with your current garage door opener model.
Conclusion
Whenever you have a new garage door opener remote, you need to program it so that the opener can read and follow its commands. Garage door opener programming requires pressing some buttons both on the remote device and the opener. It can be an easy or difficult process – depending on your understanding of the opener’s guide manual.
But, don’t worry since you can always ask for help. Garage door companies can provide garage door services that include programming a garage door opener and its remote. So, for hassle-free and accurate programming, book an appointment with a garage door expert near you.
