3 Reasons Your Garage Door Remote Won't Work

A garage door remote allows you to operate your overhead garage door conveniently. You press a button while in our vehicle, and the door opens or closes. Still, this handy accessory can develop unknown issues and cause it to malfunction. While a garage door specialist can quickly repair minor issues, severe remote problems require a replacement.

Here are common reasons your garage door won't work and what you can do about them.

Depleted Battery Power

If it's been a while since you changed remote batteries, dead batteries may be the cause of garage door remote failure. Try to operate the remote while closer to the motor unit. If the remote still doesn't respond, a dead battery might be to blame. Also, check if the batteries are installed correctly in the remote. 

Another simple way to check for depleted batteries is to press your remote control. If the indicator light does not light up or looks dimmer than usual, you should replace the batteries. Also, ensure that you only purchase the right replacement batteries. For instance, don't buy a 3-volt lithium battery if your remote control uses a 12-volt battery. 

If the remote fails to respond even after battery replacement, you should invest in a new garage door remote unit.  

RF Interference

Radio frequency (RF) interference is another culprit for a malfunctioning garage door remote. With this interference, your garage door opener won't receive signals from the remote. Generally, a remote's radio transmitters function at a 300-390 MHZ frequency range. 

Your remote can malfunction if you have items in your home that transmit at frequencies similar to your garage door. Such items include:

• Motion detectors
• Electronic game and home alarm systems
• Wi-Fi networks and Computers

If a radio frequency from another electronic device interferes with your remote operations, you should turn off that device and relocate it. 

You may also experience RF interference if you live near a military base, an airport, or an electrical transformer. In such a case, you can upgrade to a smart garage door opener that operates with your home's Wi-Fi network. 

Programming Issues

A remote may sometimes lose communication with the garage door opener due to a weak signal. In cases like this, you should erase and reprogram your remote. To resynchronize a remote control is a breeze — just press and hold the openers learn button. Within 30 seconds, press the remote's button until the opener's light blinks. 

The remote should operate your garage door just fine if you reprogram it successfully. You may also enlist a professional to set up the remote for you if you are unsure how to go about it.

If you have a malfunctioning garage door remote due to these issues, contact a reliable garage door expert for professional help. 

For more information on garage door repair, contact a professional near you.