Key Takeaways:
• Before learning how to program your garage door opener, make sure that your remote is compatible with your specific garage door opener’s brand and model.
• If your remote is lost or stolen, knowing how to disable your garage door opener can help prevent unauthorized access until you can program a replacement.
• Before heading out on an extended trip, it’s a good idea to understand how to disable a garage door opener to keep your home safe.
Garage door opener remotes are incredibly convenient, but they’re also incredibly easy to lose.
The good news is garage door openers are usually easy to program and disable. So, when yours goes missing, what should you do?
In today’s blog, we’ll discuss how to program your garage door opener and how to disable it to keep your garage safe and easy to access.
How do you program a garage door opener?
Considering the variety of garage door openers available, the steps below are meant to be general guidelines. You may have to consult your owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer if following these steps doesn’t work. In the case of older openers, a garage door professional is likely to be necessary.
Steps To Program A Garage Door Opener
- Make sure the remote matches the brand of the opener:
If you don’t have the original remote, check that the replacement is compatible.
- Find the “learn” button on the garage door opener:
Carefully climb the ladder and inspect the power box attached to the opener to find the “learn” button. This button is typically behind a small panel that can be removed or folded back to reveal the wires and a light bulb. In some models, it may be hidden under the light cover.
- Activate learning mode:
Once you’ve found the “learn” button, press it until it blinks. This signals that the opener is ready to be programmed.
- Program the remote:
After pressing the “learn” button, quickly press the main button on your garage door remote. There’s typically a 30-second window, so you’ll have to be quick. When the connection is successful, the opener light will blink to confirm that the remote has been programmed.
- Test it:
Close the panel and test your remote by pressing the open button to see if the garage door responds. If your garage door remote responds, it has been successfully programmed.
How To Disable A Garage Door Opener
Have you lost your garage door remote or think it might be stolen? Don’t panic! Until you find or replace it, you can disable it.
Besides being lost or stolen, you may need to know how to disable your garage door opener for other reasons.
If you are renovating or repairing your home, temporarily disabling your garage door opener can be a useful safety measure. Doing so can help prevent any accidental operation that could interfere with the work or cause injury. When there’s a heavy storm, you can disable your opener to prevent it from accidentally opening or being damaged by electrical surges. Should you need to change a remote or remove access from a previous tenant, disable the opener until it has been reprogrammed.
Should you unplug your garage opener while away or on vacation?
Yes! We highly recommend disabling your garage door opener when you go on vacation. Anything can happen while you’re away and unplugging or disabling your garage door opener before leaving can add an extra layer of security.
Take a power surge as an example. By disabling your garage door opener, you reduce the risk of an unintentional door opening caused by the surge. This precaution can also prevent your garage door from being manually operated during a power outage. Other than sudden power failures, if someone discovers a spare remote outside your garage, or tries to tamper with the keypad, disabling the opener could help prevent unwanted visitors and keep your garage secure.
Steps To Disable Your Garage Door Opener
- Reset your garage door opener:
Press and hold your device’s Smart Button for a few seconds to reset it. Any paired remotes will be erased from its memory and the system will be temporarily disabled.
To disable it completely, switch it off. Depending on your model, your garage door opener’s power cord may be unplugged, or you may have one with a wall switch that turns it off.
- Verify that it has been reset:
If you’re not sure whether your garage door opener has been reset, check the Smart Button on the motor. If the lights blink, the system is deprogrammed. Try using your remote, too. If the garage door doesn’t respond, the reset worked.
If you run into trouble with the steps or your opener doesn’t disable as expected, schedule a service appointment with us.
Your Trusted South Florida Garage Door Experts Since 1966
At Allied Doors, we’re dedicated to keeping your garage door operating smoothly and safely, from installation to hurricane preparation. Family-owned and proudly serving South Florida for over 50 years, we operate from the Keys to Vero Beach. More than just a service provider, we’re your family in the garage door business.
Contact us today to see how we can meet your garage door needs!
