If your home includes a garage, either attached or detached, you probably have a garage door opener. Whether it’s an older model or a brand new system, one task you will be faced with sooner or later is reprogramming the receiver and remotes.
How does this work? If you just installed a new garage door opening system you probably have directions about using the remote and other advanced features that are part of the latest technology. If you inherited a garage door opener with a house you just purchased, however, you may not know the age or type of system you are working with.
Fortunately, garage door openers are relatively simple to program once you know what to look for. The first step is determining whether you have a fixed code/dip switch system or a rolling code garage door opener. Remove the cover on the motor and check the back or side. If you see a circuit board, you have a rolling code system. If you see a series of small switches, usually 8 to 12 of them, you have a dip switch garage door opener.
Programming a rolling code garage door opener
Rolling code technology is the standard for garage door openers sold and installed today. A learn button on the motor unit erases the previous code so you can reset it.
- Press and hold the learn button until the indicator light goes out.
- Now that the previous code is erased, program new remotes by pressing and releasing the learn button and then pressing and holding the button on the remote until the indicator light flashes.
- If your garage door opener is newly installed, skip the code-erase step above and simply synch the remotes as described in the second step.
Programming a dip switch garage door opener
If your garage door opener was manufactured before 1993, it will have dip switches inside the motor unit and a matching set inside each remote. Changing the position of the switches changes the code shared between the remotes and the receiver.
- If you are programming replacement remotes for your garage door opener, be sure the new remotes have the same number of dip switches as the motor unit.
- Use a flathead screwdriver to adjust the position of each of the switches in the motor unit and in the remotes so they are in exactly the same positions.
- Click the button on the remote several times until the garage door responds.
Many older garage door openers can be retrofitted to operate with an upgraded and more secure system. Contact the professionals at Great Garage Doors for more information about the latest technology in garage door opening systems and for all your garage door repair and replacement needs.