Although we tend to do our due diligence when researching a new home before moving in, what matters is what we do after settling in. For instance, resetting your garage door opener is a must-do as soon as you move into your new home.
Garage door openers are characterized by an internal memory, which records all the previously programmed remote controls and keypads. Therefore, failure to reset your garage door opener makes it vulnerable to unauthorized access, thereby compromising its security.
A malfunctioning garage door opener or misplaced remote control may also oblige you to reset the system. You would be wondering and asking yourself, do garage door openers have a reset button?
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Do garage door openers have a reset button?
Yes. New garage door opener models have reset buttons indicated as ‘Learn’ or ‘Home.’ A malfunctioning garage door can be due to an unwanted remote activating it or if you lose your handheld opener. In such a case, you will be required to reset your garage door opener.
How To Reset a Garage Door Opener
Clearing your garage door opener’s memory is a highly recommended security measure and a remedy for malfunctioning garage doors. Fortunately, the reprogramming process is simple and can be accomplished in no time.
Here is a step by step guide to resetting your garage door opener regardless of its model: The reset process are distinct for the older and new garage door opener models.
Resetting Older Garage Door Opener Models
Step 1: Locate the DIP switch on the remote.
Unlike modern garage door openers, older models enhance their security using DIP(Dual In-line Package) switches. These switches are often located inside the remote for most models. Once you slide off the remote’s cover, you should see the switches next to the battery, which appear in a row of about eight switches.
Step 2: Toggle the switches to set your sequence.
For this step, create a sequence on the switches by toggling them. Consider using a screwdriver to toggle the switches for convenience.
Step 3: Locate the DIP switch on the receiver.
The DIP switch is usually located at the back of the garage door opener’s receiver for most older models. It also appears as a row of several small-sized on/off switches.
Step 4. Match the sequence to that on the remote.
Once you identify the DIP switch on the receiver, use a screwdriver to adjust the sequence to match the one you set on the garage opener’s remote.
Step 5: Test the system
Upon ensuring that the sequence on the remote matches that on the receiver, you can then test your garage door opener to confirm whether the process was successful. Signal your garage door to open or close using the remote transmitter, and if it works as expected, you’re good to go.
Resetting Newer Garage Door Opener Models
Newer garage door opener models feature a more advanced security system compared to older ones. They use a rolling code technology that deters duplication by unauthorized parties by generating a different security code whenever the garage door is accessed. In addition to enhancing the garage’s security, rolling code technology makes the garage openers easier to program. To reset these garage door openers:
Step 1: Identify the ‘program’, ‘learn’ or ‘smart’ button
Most garage door opener brands refer to the reset button as ‘program’, ‘learn’, or ‘smart’ buttons. Check the front or back of your garage door opener to identify this button. Also, depending on your specific model, you may have to access the button by opening the lens.
Step 2: Long-press the reset button
Once you identify the garage opener’s reset or ‘Learn’ button, long-press it for about ten seconds to initiate the reprogramming process. Ensure you press the button until the LED light next to it goes off.
Step 3: Test the garage opener’s remote
Resetting your garage opener deactivates all remotes that were previously programmed to it. For this reason, consider checking whether your remote is functional by signaling the garage door. Failure of the remote control to close or open the garage door means you’re on the right track.
Step 4: Reprogram the remote to the garage opener
After clearing the garage door opener’s memory, you can reinstate your garage opener’s remote functionality by reprogramming it. To do so, press the reset or ‘Learn’ button again for about a second until the LED light next to it flashes. Subsequently, press the button on the garage door opener’s remote, after which the LED light should flash again to signify that the remote has been reprogrammed, and the remote control should then be able to signal the garage door.
If you perform these steps, but the garage door opener still fails to reset, consider replacing the batteries on the remote or, better still, seek professional assistance for ultimate results.
Important Garage Door Safety Tips
Apart from resetting the garage door opener, there are other relevant measures you can take to prevent a security breach in the garage and enhance the safety of its users. These include:
- Get yourself a battery backup. Having a battery backup guarantees you peace of mind in the event of a prolonged power outage. With a battery backup in place, the garage door can be operated as though there is nothing wrong. Fortunately, these devices are long-lasting, affordable, and require minimal maintenance.
- Clean garage door safety sensors regularly. Safety sensors play a huge role in safeguarding garage users. Defective safety sensors compromise safety and could lead to significant damage and losses. That said, it is advisable to ensure your garage sensors are devoid of any obstruction by clearing any dust and debris.
- Educate household members about garage door safety. Creating awareness is a crucial safety measure, especially if you have kids running around. Ensure the garage door opener is inaccessible to children. Also, remind all household members to watch their fingers while operating the garage door and keep the garage access codes a secret.
- Emergency preparedness. This precaution mainly entails acquainting yourself with how to operate your garage door manually in an emergency such as a power outage. Most newer garage door openers comprise an emergency release cord that enables you to access the garage manually when you pull the cord. Therefore, ensure you are aware of where the emergency release cord is located.
- Change garage access codes regularly. Although the rolling code technology generates a new access code after each use, it is also advisable to change the standard access codes on the remotes from time to time to reinforce security.
- Ensure you keep tabs on the garage door opener’s remote controls. This measure entails handling remote controls with care to avoid misplacing them since they may land on the wrong hands. Additionally, consider keeping extra remotes which may come in handy in case one of them is misplaced.
- Unplug your garage door opener while on vacation. Anything could go wrong while you’re away. Burglars can manipulate the keypads located on the garage’s exterior, or worse, the garage door could open on its own in the event of a power surge that ends up damaging the transmitter. The only way to avoid such occurrences while you’re away is to disconnect the system.
A video showing how to reset a garage door opener
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the garage’s safety and that of its users is of the utmost importance and should not be taken lightly. For this reason, garage door openers are designed with a reset button that comes into play whenever garage security is compromised. Therefore, resetting the garage is a simple process that you can accomplish by following the steps mentioned earlier. However, the process of resetting your garage door opener differs slightly from one model to another.
The reprogramming process is also different for older and newer garage door opener models.
In addition to resetting your garage door opener, undertaking the security measures mentioned above could also go a long way in enhancing your garage’s security, especially if you have just moved into a new home.