How to Program Garage Remote is easy for most garage openers.
- Locate the learn button on your garage opener.
- Press and hold the learn button for 3 seconds then release the learn button.
- Press and release the handheld remote twice.
Your remote control should now be programmed and ready for use.
If the process above doesn’t work for you then identify the make and model of your garage door opener and refer to model specific instructions for your opener.
Use this handy quick guide to find the right programming instructions for your door opener.
ATA remote programming.
B&D remote programming.
Gliderol remote programming.
Merlin remote programming.
How do garage door remotes work?
Your garage door opener has a radio frequency receiver built into the main circuit board and your remote handset is a radio transmitter. When you press the button on your remote handset you are sending an encoded signal to your opener. When the receiver captures the correct signal it will activate a relay on your opener to power up the electric motor.
Early remote opener systems used a series of tiny dip switches to encode the signal between the receiver and the transmitter. Matching the dip switches on the transmitter with the dip switches on the opener served to pair up the two. Much like a lock and key.
Modern remote systems have replaced the manual switching system with a complex and highly secure multiple code generator. Each time you use your remote control you generate a new code combination. Some openers have millions of code options and others have billions.
How to program a remote control without a learn button?
If you have an opener from pre 2000 then you might have problems finding the learn button on the opener. Many older openers use a series of dip switches to code in remotes.
In some cases there will be a small plastic port on the opener that is covering the dip switches. Pop of the cover to reveal the switches. In other cases you may have to take off the side cover of the opener to locate the switches.
Once you locate the switches then take note of their orientation. Some switches will be set to the down position while others will be set to the up position. On your handset, replicate the position of the switches as noted from the opener. Do the same for each additional handset that you want to code into the opener.
Can I use any garage door remote for my opener?
The simple answer to this question is NO. You must use a remote control handset that is intended for use on your make and model of opener.
The first thing you need to do when trying to add an additional remote is to identify the make and model of your opener then source the right handset for the opener.
In some cases you may have a remote that looks the same or very similar to your original handsets. Some brands used the same outer cases but upgraded the internal electronics when they updated their openers. Usually these upgraded remotes will have a product code printed on the casing to help you identify the right handset. Check the model of your opener and see if the handset you have is correct.
How do I reset a garage door remote?
If you have lost a remote control or you suspect that it has been stolen then you will want to reset your remote controls. Note: doing a reset will clear all of your remote control from the openers memory.
To reset your garage door remotes you will need to have access to your garage door opener.
- Locate the learn button on your door opener.
- Press and hold the learn button on your opener for 30 seconds.
- Your opener will indicate when the memory has been erased.
- Take your finger off of the learn button.
- Program your remaining remote controls
Can I get replacement remote controls for my garage door opener?
If your opener is less than 20 years old then you should be able to get replacement remote handsets.
If your remote handset looks to be in good condition, but is not working properly, then try changing the battery first.
The first step in getting new remote controls is to identify the make and model of your door opener. In some cases you may find a product model number on the back of your handset. Either the make and model of the opener or the handset model number can be used to help in the search for a new remote handset.
When looking for a new remote I strongly recommend that you replace your remote with a genuine brand replacement. Cheap options are available but they can be poorly made and cause you problems.
Where to buy a new remote control handset?
One of the most convenient ways to get a new remote control handset for your opener is online. Australia has many local resellers that focus on remote control products. All you need to know is the make and model of your opener or the model number for your handset. Once you have this then do an online search. Such as, “securalift GDO2 v7 remote handset”. All locally sold handsets come with clear instruction for syncing it up to the opener.
In some cases you may be able to get a new remote from Bunnings at a reasonable price. But before you jump in the car and head down there make sure that you know the make and model of your opener. The staff at Bunnings are not experts in garage door openers or remotes. They can’t help you.
Reasons why you can’t program your remote control handset
Make sure that you are following the instructions for the make and model of your opener.
With each make and model of opener comes different procedures for coding in a remote control. If you don’t have a copy of your user manual then try and download it online. Alternatively you can check the pages on this site for instructions for your specific opener.
Replace the batteries in your remote control.
One of the first things you should do if your handset stops working is to change the battery.
Try coding in a different button on your handset.
In some cases the button that you have been using on your handset suffers from damage from continued use. Try coding in a different button on your remote handset. This will work for most multi button remotes except dip switch remotes or Gliderol remotes.
Your receiver may be faulty.
If none of your remote controls are working but your opener runs using an onboard button then you might have a faulty receiver. In some cases though a power issue may have caused the opener to drop memory of the remote controls. Try coding in your remotes to see if it’s the memory issue first. If that doesn’t work then you probably have a faulty receiver and may have to change the opener for a new one.
Make sure that you have the correct handset for your opener.
Does it look like the original handset that came with the opener. If it doesn’t look the same then it probably won’t work with your opener.
Check to see if your opener is working.
Antenna wire is missing
All garage door openers come with a short antenna wire to help receive a signal from the remote control. In some cases the wire gets pulled from the opener and prevents the opener from receiving the signal. If you are lucky then you have the type that can be plugged back in. But if it was soldered onto the circuit board then you can try to re solder it back on