You turn into your driveway and try to click the button for your garage opener before realizing your remote is nowhere to be seen. You park your car and search the vehicle for the device, but you can’t find it. Perhaps you misplaced the remote or someone took it. Whatever the situation, you should learn how to replace a garage door remote and secure your house to keep yourself and your family safe.
What to Do if Your Remote Is Lost or Stolen
First, you must ensure your remote will not open the garage door if someone uses it. Your family could be vulnerable to intruders if you do not take action. Securing the garage is the first step to protecting your home, family and belongings. You won’t want anybody to be able to open the door without your permission except members of the household. If you suspect the remote was taken, you may want to call the police as soon as possible.
Erase the remote from the garage door opener’s memory, then reset the code to continue using other remotes if you have them. It is essential to clear the remote memory from your opener to ensure that others cannot enter your home unannounced. Next, you’ll want to purchase a replacement garage remote.
If you aren’t sure how to do this, consult your garage opener guide. It should include instructions for erasing and resetting remotes. Can’t find the manual? Look online or call Quality Overhead Door, and we can walk you through the process.
Replacing A Garage Door Remote
It would be best to learn how to get a replacement door opener remote to protect your home. To prevent possible intruders, you’ll want to understand how to find a suitable garage remote that fits your specific needs. Follow these steps to replace your garage door remote.
Determine What Garage Door Remote You Need
First, find the make and model of your current garage door opener. Visit a reliable garage door dealer, such as Quality Overhead Door, and look for devices to replace the garage door opener remote. Ideally, the new remote should work with your existing garage door opener. If you still have one remote that operates, you’ll want to continue to use it. You should only need to purchase one remote to replace the one that is out of commission.
Ask for assistance with finding the right remote to fit your needs. If you have to special order the new remote, it may take a few days or weeks to arrive, depending on the manufacturer’s availability. In this case, you will need to manually open the garage door to store your car. While it is inconvenient to hop out of your vehicle whenever you pull into the driveway, it only takes a few seconds.
To open and close your garage door manually, follow these steps:
- Ensure the door is closed to prevent injury.
- Pull the manual release down to disengage the carriage from the trolley.
- Pull the garage door open.
- Close the door once your car is safely inside.
- Reset the emergency release by plugging it back in.
Of course, using this method depends on the garage door being in good condition. When you open the garage door manually, you may find the door is unbalanced, so you need to call in a professional. An unbalanced door can fall without warning, endangering the safety of your family members or vehicles.
Figure Out if a Universal Remote Will Work
Perhaps your specific remote model cannot be found through local distributors or is no longer manufactured. In that case, you may not be able to easily find a new remote. However, garage remotes that are newer than 20 years may work with universal garage door remotes.
Though it’s rare, some companies sell products that work with even older models. Whichever type of remote you have, you’ll want to check for retailers that sell replacement universal remotes and read the packaging carefully to find the perfect match.
If you still feel unsure about which remote may fit your needs, consider looking at the business’s website or calling them to ask specific questions. Other areas, like product or quality reviews, may also give you insight into how well the universal remote will work with your current garage door setup.
Program Your New Garage Opener Remote
Once you’ve found a suitable replacement for your missing garage door remote, you’ll want to program it to your current opener settings and test that the new remote works well. You can take a few steps to ensure the remote fits well with your current setup.
1. Add Batteries
Place new batteries into the remote in the correct positions. In many cases, a new garage opener takes a particular battery that you should look at carefully. Some remotes may also come with pre-installed batteries that easily integrate into the garage door setup. Pull on the plastic protective tab, and the remote should be activated.
2. Prepare the Motor Unit
Next, you’ll want to find the motor unit in your garage. This may require standing on a stepladder or stool to reach the button. Press the opener’s motor housing button that says “learn code.” The phrase may vary among different garage door motor units. The unit should produce a flashing light or sound to indicate it is ready for programming.
3. Press the Button
Move a few feet away from the unit and press the “open” button on the new remote. Make sure you do this within half a minute to be sure the remote programs correctly. If you have a three-button remote, you can choose which button you’d like to open and close the garage door. Once programmed, you can look for another flashing light or a sound that indicates the motor housing unit has recognized the new remote.
4. Test the New Remote
Finally, test the new remote by pushing the “open” button. If it works, you’ve successfully programmed your new garage door remote. If not, try to re-program the remote by following the same process again until the motor housing unit recognizes the device.
Garage Opener Assistance From Quality Overhead Door
If you want to get a new remote without waiting — and make sure it works for the long term — you can purchase a universal remote. One of these devices will work with the opening unit you have installed in your garage and any garage door openers you use in the future. For instance, if you move to a new house, you can program the universal remote to activate the new garage door.
Do you need a new garage door opener? You want to purchase one that will provide a long service life and excellent safety features. Please browse our extensive selection and contact us to learn more about our options.
Additional Resources On Garage Door Openers:
- How to Change the Battery in a Garage Door Opener Remote
- What is the Learn Button on a Garage Door Opener?
- Lifespan of Garage Doors and Garage Door Openers?
- How Do Garage Door Sensors Work?
- How Much Horsepower Does My Garage Door Opener Need?