08 Sep Overhead Door Troubleshooting: How to Fix an Unresponsive Opener Remote
Garage doors are better with opener remotes. Gone are the days of getting out of your vehicle to manually lift a garage door. Automatic garage doors need a remote control to open and close them. The remote serves as your controller so that you won’t have to leave your car whenever you want to exit or enter. The remote sends a signal to the door, which triggers a switch, prompting the door to open or close. But, occasionally, the opener remote may become unresponsive. If you’re experiencing this inconvenience and wish to troubleshoot it yourself, refer to the guidelines below.
Check The Batteries
The first thing you should do if your opener remote is malfunctioning is to change the batteries. Most of the time, the reason why an opener remote becomes unresponsive is due to a battery issue. When the batteries are weak, your remote control works with less effectiveness. To avoid frequent battery replacement, make sure to use a high-quality brand of battery, rather than generic ones. You can also opt for rechargeable batteries if you want to cut costs in the long run.
Check Battery Contacts
The battery contacts are the springs and metals you see in the place where you put the batteries. They are key elements in the functioning of your remote, and help the batteries transfer power. If they are dirty or wet, the opener remote won’t work properly. Remove batteries and ensure that the battery contacts are clean before replacing them. If the battery contacts are dirty, use a clean, dry cloth to remove debris. If the contacts are wet, dry them out by wiping them down, or gentry air drying them.
Check The Eye
The eye is in the receiving unit of your opener remote and the door switch receiving the signal. The eye allows the signal to pass-through. If it’s dirty, the signal emitted by your remote control won’t reach the door switch. You have to make sure that the eye is clean so that the contact is good. To clean it, use a soft, damp cloth. Thankfully, most eyes are plastic and scratch resistant.
Reset
The last troubleshooting option is to reset the remote and the switch. Since they are electronic, manufacturers allow you to reset them whenever it’s needed. Sometimes, all they require is a good reboot so that the circuit boards work property. To do this, remove the batteries and let the system rest for 30 seconds to a minute. After that, you can return the batteries and try again.
Related Content: Basic Tips on How to Repair a Commercial Door Opener
Opener Remote Problems?
If your garage door opener remote is not working properly, don’t hesitate to contact us. At Frontier Pacific, we perform expert garage door repairs and maintenance. If you need assistance with your garage door and opener remote, call us at (510) 279-0232.