Why did my garage door remote stop working?

A garage door remote usually stops working because its battery has run down. Replace the battery first, then re-pair the remote if it still does nothing. If the wall button also fails, the cause is the opener or its power, not the remote.

Start with the wall button

Press the wall control inside the garage. If the door moves, the opener, its power and the door are fine, and you are chasing a remote problem. If the wall button does nothing either, skip to the signs below and read why a garage door opener runs but the door doesn't move if the motor hums but the door stays put.

The battery is the usual cause

A remote that works only when you are close to the door, or needs two or three presses, is nearly always short of battery. Chamberlain's visor remote runs on a 3V coin-cell lithium CR2032 battery.^[1] Check the type printed on the old cell before buying, because not every remote uses the same one.

Open the case with a coin or small screwdriver, note which way the cell sits, and fit the new one the same way. Press the button and watch the remote's light. HomeLink, the system built into many cars, makes the same point for programming: "We recommend getting a new battery for your garage door remote for more accurate programming."^[4] A new battery is the right starting point for any remote fault.

For how often to swap it, see how often to replace the battery in a garage door remote.

If it still fails, re-pair the remote

If the opener has lost the remote's code, or the remote was never paired, it will do nothing. Re-pairing takes a minute with the Learn button. Chamberlain says it sits under the garage door opener light cover, on the same side as the antenna.^[2] You will probably need a stepladder or other sturdy, safe device to reach it.^[4] Do not stand on your vehicle.^[4]

Then press and immediately release the Learn button.^[3] Within 30 seconds, press and hold the button on the remote you want to use.^[3] The opener lights flash, or you hear two clicks.^[3] That means it has taken. Other brands place and label the button differently, so check the manual for yours.

Make sure the remote fits the opener

A remote only works with openers it is built for. Chamberlain matches its remotes to the Learn button color on the opener, and lists green, orange/red, purple and yellow.^[1] If your motor unit has no Learn button, Chamberlain points to universal remotes that work with most brands.^[2] For costs, see what a replacement remote or keypad costs in Virginia.

Other things worth a look

• Distance and obstructions. Test the remote from the same spot twice, once pointed at the opener and once not. If range has shrunk, it is the battery.
• A sticky button. A remote that has been dropped or left wet can have a button that no longer makes contact. Press each button; if only one is dead, the remote is worn.
• Several remotes failing at once. The opener's receiver is the suspect, not the batteries.
• Your car's buttons. If only the in-car buttons fail, see programming a car's built-in garage door opener.

Stop and call a pro if

• The wall button and every remote do nothing, or the opener does not even try to move. That is an opener, power or wiring fault, not a remote fault. Do not open the motor unit.
• The door moves a little, then stops or reverses. Look at the safety sensors first; see how to align garage door safety sensors.
• The door is crooked, jammed or heavy by hand. Do not keep pressing the remote. Springs and cables are under tension and are work for a trained technician.
• You cannot reach the Learn button safely. Do not climb on a car, a wobbly chair or a shelf.
• Nothing pairs at all. The remote may be incompatible, or the receiver may have failed, and a technician can test it.

Getting help in Virginia

Loclis lists licensed garage door businesses across the state. Browse garage door repair, read more garage door answers, or describe the problem once and local companies can quote it.