A garage door remote not working is a common issue for homeowners. Unless you know how to diagnose the problem or how your remote works, you may find it challenging to get your remote to open the garage door again.

A range of functionality problems might be at play, so you’ll want to consider a few before attempting to fix your remote. We’ll discuss the most common reasons garage door remotes stop working and offer solutions to ensure your remote control functions properly.

How Garage Door Remotes Work 

Before diagnosing and solving any problems concerning your garage door remote’s functionality, it helps to understand how these opener transmitters work in the first place.

The secret to your remote’s functionality is a radio signal that can be set from 350 to 390 megahertz (MHz). The button on your garage door remote transmits this radio signal frequency and is encoded with a unique binary number so that the door receiver responds to your specific remote.

Sometimes, the transmitter can be interrupted, or your signal might malfunction due to a circuit board issue. To help you troubleshoot this issue, we’ll describe these specific predicaments below and outline a few DIY fixes. We’ll also offer some tips that might require a professional inspection to get your remote working again.

6 Common Reasons Garage Door Remotes Stop Working and Troubleshooting Tips

To get to the bottom of a nonfunctioning garage door remote, you’ll want to inspect it for a few key things before calling a professional. There are six common reasons your remote might have stopped working and some troubleshooting tips you may want to apply.

1. Drained Batteries

One of the leading causes of a non-functional remote is depleted batteries.  To diagnose this specific cause of your garage door remote not working, first check the wall control. If the door operates with the wall control, the remote’s batteries are likely the issue.

Luckily, the answer to depleted remote batteries is quite simple. Typically, garage door remote batteries will last two years. If your remote stops signaling to the receiver, you’ll want to replace the old batteries with new ones and test the remote to ensure it’s working again. Always remember to use fresh batteries that match the kind previously used in your remote for the best results.

2. Physical Damage

If your remote was dropped or stepped on, this can be why it’s no longer functioning. If the exterior seems intact, you might not even realize it’s damaged. Additionally, take note of weather conditions such as rain or snow, that could have impacted your remote’s functionality.

If you determine your remote was physically damaged, the only solution is to replace it. Remember to keep your newly replaced remote inside and away from rain, cold and other weather conditions that could affect it.

3. Disrupted Signal

Another common problem that might be causing a nonfunctioning remote is a disrupted signal. If replacing batteries doesn’t solve the problem and your garage door still isn’t responding to the remote, an object might be blocking the signal between the remote and the door sensor. Other reasons for a disrupted signal could include trying to use the remote from too far away, a damaged antenna or interference caused by other wireless devices.

To resolve a signal issue, first ensure you are no more than 20 feet away from the garage door when trying to open it with your remote. If you are any further, the signal might be too weak to be received. If you are within this range and the door opener still isn’t responding to your remote, check for and remove any items that might be obstructing the signal’s path.

Also, check the antenna to ensure it’s pointing toward your door and that there’s no debris building on it. If you notice your antenna is broken, contact repair professionals to inspect and fix it right away.

4. Engaged Lock Button 

Ensure you haven’t accidentally pressed the lock button on your garage door’s control panel. If the lock is engaged, your remote will seem nonfunctioning since your garage door won’t move or respond to controls.

To disengage the lock on your garage door opener, press the lock button on your control panel. If the remote signals the door to move up or down, you’ve solved the issue. Also, make sure your wall control panel is still working by pressing it after disengaging the lock.

5. Remote Needs Reset 

With regular use, your remote can sometimes disengage from the opener machine signal.

This situation might occur after a power outage or if you have recently changed the opener unit. In this case, reprogramming the remote is an easy DIY solution to guarantee the remote signals to your door correctly.

To learn how to reset your garage door remote, your first step is to locate the “Learn” button on the control panel of your garage door opener. Press and hold this button for 30 seconds, then release it. Next, find the same “Learn” button on your remote control and hold it down for a few seconds. At this point, the garage door opener might blink its lights or its LED indicator may flash. To check if the garage door remote reset was successful, try using your remote again to see if the garage door opens.

6. Door Wiring Malfunction

If you’ve tried all our solutions so far and your garage door is still not opening after pressing the button on your remote, the opener’s circuit board might be malfunctioning. A power surge can cause your garage door opener to malfunction, and it’s best to have it inspected by a garage door repair professional.

If a circuit board malfunction occurs, a professional will inspect the opener to diagnose and solve the issue. To check the wiring on your garage door opener’s receiver board, they may disconnect the motor and control panel wires, reconnect the unit, and clear its memory. They will then reprogram your remote, reattach the wiring and test the door to guarantee the system is functioning as intended.

Trust Door Pros to Fix Your Garage Door Remote Problems 

When there’s an issue with your garage door remote, you’ll want to diagnose and treat it so that you can safely access your garage when needed. Since we typically use our garage door remotes every day, it’s essential to know how they work to mitigate any future problems. To get the total value of your garage door opener, you’ll want to follow our tips to properly inspect and repair your remote.

Suppose you run into a problem with your remote control that you can’t treat on your own — trust Door Pros for answers and a fast repair. We offer garage door services in San Mateo, San Rafael, Sacramento, San Francisco, Carmel and surrounding areas.

Request garage door service today to get your door back in working order. If you have more immediate concerns, call us at 415-717-7015 today!

The post How to Fix a Garage Door Remote That Is Not Working appeared first on Door Pros.

When it comes to how we run our homes, there’s an app for that. We access everything from our lights to our thermostats through those magic devices in our pockets. If you want to upgrade your home’s technology and security, a smart home garage door opener is your answer. Convenience and safety are two of the many benefits of a cutting-edge smart WiFi-powered garage door opener.

What Is a Smart Garage Opener?

A garage door opener lets you open your garage door with the touch of a button. A smart garage opener takes it to the next level and turns your smartphone device into that button. With WiFi integration, your opener sends you activity alerts when the door opens or closes. You can also access a variety of features, such as programmable lights and control over who can enter.

A smart opener works thanks to a sensor on the door itself. The sensor sends a signal to the opener to let it know when it’s open or closed. As the operator, you power all this with an app on your phone. All Liftmaster smart garage door openers come with the myQ app, which lets you operate your garage door from anywhere in the world.

Why Smart Garage Door Openers Are an Investment

Smart home devices are designed to make your life easier. You can power almost anything with the touch of a button or the sound of your voice. Your garage is just as much a part of your home, and a smart opener completely transforms the way you access it. Here are four reasons why you should invest in this technology:

1. You Always Remember to Close Your Garage Door

How many times have you left your house and wondered if you remembered to close the garage door? Leaving your garage door open is one of the easiest ways to make your home less secure. With a smart garage door opener, you have instant peace of mind. Right from your smartphone, you can see if the garage door is open and close it with a quick tap.

Many people leave their garage door open when they’re home or when they’re out doing yard work. When this happens, passersby can swipe something from a garage without anyone even noticing. Your smart garage door opener’s app will give you instant alerts when your garage door is left open for too long. So, you’ll never worry about forgetting to close your garage door again.

2. You Can Keep Track of Who Comes and Goes

Want to make sure your kids made it home from school safely? Or check to see if your teen arrived before his curfew? With a smart garage door opener, you’ll have a complete log of when your garage was opened or closed. Some Liftmaster openers come integrated with two-way audio powered by your smartphone app. This feature lets you check in with visitors on the spot.

Does the dog walker need access to your home? If you don’t want to give away the key to your house, you can use your smart garage door opener to give your visitors authorized access to your home. You don’t even have to give them the access code! You let them in on your schedule.

3. It Keeps Your Deliveries Safe

If you have a Liftmaster, you can open your garage door remotely for your Amazon delivery person. Your home’s garage door will open, and the delivery driver will place your package safely in your garage. When delivery is complete, your garage door recloses. With an opener integrated with a security camera, you can also watch the delivery in real time from anywhere. 

4. You Know Where Your Opener Remote Is

With the myQ app, your mobile device acts as a smart garage door remote. Your phone goes with you wherever you go, so your garage door opener is much safer.

Making Your Garage Door Safer

A smart WiFi garage door remote offers many ways for you to make your garage door safer. The high-tech system can integrate with your other smart home devices. You can take advantage of your smart opener’s safety features and choose some powerful security add-ons to make your garage impenetrable.

1. Program Lights When You’re Not Home

When you’re away from home, having a few lights on can make your home appear lived in. Having lights in the garage can be particularly convincing because it makes it seem as though someone has recently pulled in. With Liftmaster’s myQ app, you can program the opener’s Corner to Corner lights to come on at certain times of the day.

2. Integrate Your Opener With a Built-In Security Camera

One advantage of real-time open alerts is that you can check in with visitors. All Liftmaster garage door openers can integrate with a Liftmaster security camera. Liftmaster also offers a smart opener with a built-in camera. This camera has live HD streaming, with the option to store additional footage. It also comes with two-way audio so you can check in on your garage and its visitors right from your smartphone.

3. Automatically Lock Your Door

4. Keep Your Home Safe From Anywhere

A smart garage door opener can keep intruders from getting in. It can also help you get dangerous fumes out of your garage. If you use other smart technology in your home, such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, you can get an alert when these fumes build up in your garage.

With your smart garage opener app, you can then open your garage door and let the dangerous exhaust exit safely. Opening the garage can stop the build-up from moving into your home, protecting the lives of loved ones inside.

Take Control of Your Garage With Door Pros

If you’re ready to upgrade your garage door opener to the latest technology, go with Door Pros. We exclusively sell Liftmaster openers, all outfitted with smart controls. All of our openers come with a California-compliant battery backup, advanced security+ 2.0 and timer-to-close capabilities. All our Liftmasters are myQ smart garage door openers, so you can control your garage straight from your smartphone.

Upgrade your home today and get top-notch installation from Door Pros. Browse our line of Liftmaster smart WiFi garage door openers and request an estimate today.

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The post The Value of Smart Garage Door Openers appeared first on Door Pros.

Do you know what common household items can save your life in an emergency?

Fire extinguishers and first-aid kits top most lists, and many households maintain smoke detectors and carbon dioxide detectors for this reason. Less obviously, furniture can brace a home’s doors against intruders, and flashlights will illuminate the way out of a dangerously darkened home.

But did you ever imagine that your garage door opener could be part of this lifesaving suite of objects, too? It can, and as of July 1, 2019, California law requires that all garage doors in the state have a battery backup.

A battery backup is a new patch for your computer’s operating system. It makes your garage opener safer during a power outage, and all new garage doors and openers in the state must have it to comply with the law.

Why Is This Legislation in Place?

How and why did California pass this garage door backup battery law? The law largely responds to the devastating California wildfire season of 2017.

1. California Wildfire Experience

As the wildfires of that summer ravaged northern and southern reaches of the state, many homes lost power. One result of these power outages was that garage doors, which typically run on electrical power, would not open. Many people became trapped in their homes because their electrical garage doors did not work. They could not open the garage doors manually, and they had no battery backup system for their opener’s electronic operation.

At least five people were found dead in their garages after being unable to open their garage doors. One was an 82-year-old retired doctor who died inside the convertible parked in her garage. Another 80-year-old couple died as well — one in the car parked in the garage, and the other in the driveway. An 86-year-old woman also died trying to flee through her garage. Presumably, these elderly residents did not have the physical strength to raise their garage doors manually after the power went out.

Additional residents were saved only after passersby witnessed their struggles and stopped their own flights to safety to help strangers struggle with their heavy garage doors.

In the United States, 4.5 million homes are at high or extreme risk of wildfire, according to insurance analyses. Two million of those homes are located in California. Additionally, the number of acres burned each year during wildfires is increasing. From a low of slightly more than one million acres burned in 1984, that number has climbed to a staggering 10 million acres in 2015 and 2017. 2018 saw 8.8 million acres burned.

2. State Senate Action

Spurred by numerous stories like the ones above, California state senator Bill Dodd — who also could not open his garage door during the wildfires — introduced a state senate bill to prevent similar tragedies. Senate Bill 969 proposed a law to require that all installations of new garage doors and garage door openers in the state of California include a battery backup.

SB 969 enjoyed overwhelming support in the legislature. The chamber read the bill for the first time in January 2018. The bill then went to committee for review. In August 2018, the Senate voted unanimously to pass the bill with a vote tally of 37 to 0, and the bill passed the California State Assembly that same month with a vote tally of 64 to 7. Governor Jerry Brown signed the bill into law in September of 2018, and its provisions went into effect several months later.

3. Protection and Penalties

By requiring that all installations of garage doors and garage door openers include a battery backup system, the law protects consumers from becoming trapped in a garage with no power.

The law mandates penalties for manufacturers and sellers who fail to comply with the new law. Manufacturing, selling or installing a garage door opener without the required battery backup incurs a fine of $1,000 per violation. The law also imposes a $500 fine for any “installed and operational” garage door opener that lacks the required battery backup.

How Do Battery Backups Help With Power Outages?

A garage door opener with battery backup helps with power outages by acting as a failsafe mechanism. In a power outage, as we know, the electronic mechanism of the garage door opener will not work, and the garage door will not open. The garage door battery backup is there to make sure users can still operate the door safely and easily.

1. They Provide an Easy-to-Use Safety Feature

When a garage door opener cannot operate electronically, you can pull the hanging red cord of the device to separate the garage door from its electronic mechanism — a feature that was already required by law. Ideally, you can then open the garage door manually in the event of a power outage.

However, just because the door detaches from its electronic mechanism does not mean it will open easily — or at all. Garage doors, especially double doors with windows, often weigh hundreds of pounds. Many people, especially elderly citizens, children and people with physical disabilities, find a massive garage door impossible to lift. The new bill helps address this problem by requiring a backup system that does not depend on an individual’s body strength.

2. They Provide Backup Protection That Users Can Monitor

Your battery backup contains a few indicators to let you know how the system is functioning. Battery backup openers typically have bright green, yellow and red LED indicators to tell you how much charge the battery has left.

Of course, it’s important to change your backup system’s batteries every couple of years, even if you have not used the garage door opener on battery power. Consult your owner’s manual for specific recommendations on when garage door opener batteries require replacement.

Don’t forget to test your battery backup system so you’ll know how it functions when you need to use it. You can test your battery backup by unplugging your electronic garage door opener and operating the garage door with the battery backup system instead. However, use the battery backup only for short durations — it is intended for situational rather than long-term use. A backup battery system typically supplies extra power for only 24 hours and will lose its charge if used continually.

3. They Offer Convenience During Routine Outages

You may think a garage door opener with battery backup is a wasted feature because you’ll never use it. But backup battery garage door openers are useful in situations beyond emergencies, too.

Power outages occur frequently, for a variety of reasons. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that in 2016, Americans experienced an average of 1.3 power outages and went without power for four hours during the year.

Additionally, in 2017, 3,526 power outages affected 36.7 million people across the country — more than double the number of Americans affected in 2016. California is one of the most egregious offenders in this regard. Residents experienced a combined 438 power outages during the year, outdoing the number-two state, Texas, by a staggering 246 outages. Texas only experienced 192 outages total that year. Nationwide, the average power outage lasted for over an hour and 20 minutes.

As you can see, power outages consistently occur in our daily lives, especially in the Golden State. Power outages can be nuisances, but they can also pose risks to safety. For these reasons, it’s beneficial to have and use a battery backup garage door operator. It will save you from the inconvenience of struggling with your garage door manually during a routine power outage, as well as making escape much quicker and easier in an emergency loss of power.

Battery Backup Openers Offered by LiftMaster

LiftMaster, a company that specializes in garage door opener systems and accessories, offers several different options for garage door opener battery backup systems.

1. 8160WB model

One option is the 8160WB model. This model features built-in Wi-Fi capability, and you can use the myQ app with it. The myQ app offers the convenience of operating your garage door opener directly from your smartphone. You can even set a recurring schedule — for example, to open your garage door automatically at 5:30 on weekdays, right when you get home from work — and get alerts about your opener system on your phone.

Additional features include:

• Sophisticated sensors to protect humans, pets and vehicles by allowing the system to detect obstructions in the pathway of the door and stop the door’s motion.
• A DC motor with a powerful, durable chain drive that offers many quiet openings and closings.
• An industrial-strength chain that won’t rust, corrode or break after a couple of months or years of use.
• A four-year motor warranty and a one-year warranty for the chain and other parts.

In select locations, using the myQ app with this battery backup model allows Amazon Prime to deliver packages securely into your garage, too. That way, your packages won’t be vulnerable to theft by sitting on your front porch. You can schedule and monitor your deliveries via your phone.

2. 8360WLB model

Another option is the 8360WLB model. Like the previous model, this battery backup garage door opener comes with Wi-Fi capabilities, meaning you can control your garage door from your phone using the myQ app. In certain locations, you can use the app to schedule and track Amazon Prime deliveries as well.

You’ll also find the following features with the 8360WLB:

• A durable chain drive that can withstand many opening and closing cycles without requiring maintenance or replacement.
• A quiet DC motor with smooth starts and stops.
• Safety sensors that prevent the door from closing when people, pets or objects obstruct its path.
• Compatibility with Automatic Garage Door Locks that will deadbolt the door once it’s closed. You will just need to buy the lock separately.
• Motion-sensor lighting that responds to your entrance and automatically activates the bright LED for added convenience and safety.
• A lifetime motor warranty and a one-year warranty for the chain and other parts.

3. 8500W model

The 8500W model is part of LiftMaster’s elite series. Unlike other models LiftMaster offers, this style of opener mounts to the garage wall rather than overhead. This innovative design frees up overhead space, so you can more easily hang tools, bicycles and other odds and ends in your garage. A wall-mounted garage door opener also reduces the noise and vibrations you hear and feel when the garage door opens and closes.

With this model you’ll also get:

• Wi-Fi capability, and in select locations, compatibility with Amazon Prime deliveries through the myQ app.
• Automatic garage door locks that will deadbolt the door once it’s closed.
• Safety sensors that prevent the door from closing on people, pets and objects.
• A 1,500-lumen Wi-Fi controlled LED light that can be turned on or off with your phone.
• Motion sensors that activate the lights when you walk into the garage.
• A timer feature that will close your garage door at a set time.
• A lifetime motor warranty, a five-year parts warranty and a one-year warranty for the battery and remote control.

4. 8550W and 88550WLB

The 8550W and 8550WLB models also form part of LiftMaster’s elite series. These models of battery backup garage door openers use belt drive systems rather than chains for whisper-soft operation.

These models also feature:

• Wi-Fi compatibility
• The ability to schedule, track and receive Amazon Prime packages securely through the myQ app.
• Compatibility with automatic garage door locks for enhanced security
• Soft starting and stopping operations that keep repair and replacement costs to a minimum.
• A timer feature to schedule when you want the door to close.
• A lifetime motor warranty, a five-year parts warranty and a one-year warranty for the battery and remote control.
• A lifetime belt warranty, so you won’t wear out the softer belt in a few years and need to pay for a replacement.

5. WLED

The WLED model also offers a nearly silent belt drive rather than a chain drive. As its name suggests, it stands out among automatic garage door openers by offering brilliant LED lighting of 3,100 lumens for a dazzlingly illuminated garage.

With this model, you’ll also get:

• Wi-Fi compatibility.
• Ability to schedule Amazon Prime deliveries with the myQ app.
• Automatic garage door lock compatibility.
• Motion-sensor lighting.
• Security sensors that prevent the door from closing when an obstruction is in the way.
• Timer features so you can decide when your garage door closes.
• Soft starting and stopping operations that are also featured in other LiftMaster battery backup garage door opener models.
• A lifetime motor and belt warranty, a five-year parts warranty, a five-year LED warranty and a one-year warranty for the battery and remote control.

Protect Yourself With a Battery Backup Garage Door Opener From Door Pros

Garage doors in Sacramento, San Mateo, Marin County and San Francisco all have one thing in common: New doors and openers now need battery backups.

Opening your garage door in a power outage shouldn’t be difficult. Make your home safer and comply with the new California garage door opener law by investing in a garage door opener with a battery backup system. These systems do more than just comply with regulations. They give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’ll never become trapped in your home because of a garage door that won’t budge when the power shuts off.

Door Pros is proud to offer knowledgeable, friendly customer service and years of expertise in the garage door business. We promise superior product performance, quick, professional service and 24-hour availability to our customers. We want to help you get the battery backup garage door opener that best fits your home and will keep you protected for years to come. Contact us today to get a LiftMaster battery backup for your garage, or use our online tool to find a dealer near you. Contact Door Pros at 800-983-2608

Request Estimate

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The post Why California’s New Garage Door Battery Backup Law Is Essential appeared first on Door Pros.