Do I need to buy a new Garage Remote

When your garage remote stops working our first reaction is that the remote is broken. But often there are other issues that may be at play.

When you have more than one working remote currently being used it is pretty easy to figure out if the remote is to blame.  But before you head out and purchase a new remote follow our handy trouble shooting tips to make sure that a new remote will solve your issue.

WHEN YOU HOLD DOWN ANY OF THE BUTTONS ON YOUR REMOTE – DOES THE REMOTE LIGHT WORK? 

The cheapest and usually missed step is the most obvious. Try replacing the battery to see if this solves your problem.  Note: take note of the way the original battery sits to make sure that it is positioned the correct way.

If your remote still doesn’t light up after you have changed the batteries – there is either something interfering with the system or the remote has stopped working.

If your remote starts working again or the light works then your battery was probably the issue.  If the garage door still doesn’t open – try re-programming the remote to your motor.

DOES YOUR REMOTE HAVE ANY EXTERNAL OR INTERNAL DAMAGE.  

Sometimes the damage to your remote is not visible from the external casing.  Some of the most common causes to the circuit board are day to day tasks

• Dropping from a height
• Immerging in water – such as toilets, washing machines, water bottles leaking in bags, left in saunas or shower rooms.
• Babies and children – Children playing with remotes, sucking on them, using them as a hammer.

All of these and more can cause damage to the circuit board inside the remote which allows it to be in contact with moisture.

If you see any signs of white residue on the internal board or greening around the battery there is a high possibility that a new garage remote may be required.

For peace of mind, it is best to check your motor is not the cause (many old remotes of 20+ years will show signs similar to this)

WILL YOUR REMOTE ALLOW YOU TO RE-PROGRAM TO THE MOTOR?

Follow the steps in your installation manual to re-program your remote to your motor.

LOCATE YOUR MOTOR- ARE THERE ANY NOISES OR LIGHTS FLICKERING ON YOUR MOTOR?

There is a possibility that your motor is in need of a service or has stopped working.

Step 1 – If your motor has a manual operate button – Press this button.

We are checking to see if any lights, sounds are coming out of the motor or whether the garage door will open with this command.

If your system has lights, sound or opens the garage door then the issue is not likely to be with the motor. 

Step 2 – If there are no lights, sounds or action there is a high possibility that your motor is not receiving any power.

You can test whether the power point is working by unplugging the unit and testing with an appliance that works.   If the test appliance works then the issue is with your motor.  If the test appliance does not work then you issue is more likely with the power point.

Note: If you have recently experienced a heavy down pour or electrical storm your motors circuit board or receiver may have been affected.

IN THESE INSTANCES, YOU MAY WISH FOR A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN/INSTALLER TO COME CHECK OUT YOUR MOTOR.

DO YOU HAVE A RECEIVER THAT CONNECTS ANOTHER MOTOR OR APPLIANCE TO THIS REMOTE? 

If you use this remote to access more than just your garage door there may be an issue with the receiver.  Your receiver may be installed on the garage door or it may be installed on a gate motor or other electrical appliance.

If all of your remotes have stopped working simultaneously then it is more likely that your receiver or motor are the issue

To see if it is the receiver or motor causing your issue simply press the remote button.

If you hear the receiver click then the receiver is working fine and it is likely a motor issue. If you hear nothing on the receiver when you press the button the receiver is not working.  If this is the case you should be able to operate the system using the motor boards open and close button.