How to Program a Garage Door Opener

Before programming one, it’s useful to understand what a garage door opener is and how it works. If you have a garage and you’re able to open it without having to manually pull open the door, you have an automatic opener. It can be controlled with a button inside the garage, a remote-control device with a button, a keypad, a car-installed device or even your smartphone. The receiver is located inside of a ceiling- or wall-mounted box in the garage. A button installed inside the garage may be wired or wireless, while the other devices are all remote. In order for remote or wireless devices to trigger the garage door opener, they have to be programmed to match the radio frequency of the receiver.

Why would you need to know how to program garage door openers? Remotes get lost or stolen, there may be a power outage or battery replacement, you just bought a new keypad or car-installed device, your device stopped working or some other situation arose. Whatever the case may be, programming a garage door opener may be necessary. Use this guide to help you with this task.

Programming a garage door opener requires just a few items, so make sure you have them available.

• A ladder: Since the garage door opener is often in the middle of the ceiling away from walls, you’ll need a ladder that doesn’t need to lean against anything.

• A helper: If you’re programming a keypad or car device, it will be extremely helpful to have a second person available so you don't have to quickly descend the ladder.

• Matching brand for remote: The mounted garage door opener and the remote device you’re programming usually must be the same brand for them to work together. Exceptions exist, including universal remotes and car openers.

Garage door openers come in a variety of brands, but many of them have the same programming method. Here’s how to program garage door openers to sync with a push-button remote that clips to your car’s visor.

• Access the opener: Climb the ladder you’ve set up under the ceiling-mounted opener.

• Find the "learn" button on the opener: It’s possible you’ll have to remove the light cover to find the button.

• Activate the opener’s button: Press and hold the "learn" button until it blinks. Keep in mind you will have only about 30 seconds to complete the next step. A helper may make this easier and safer.

• Find and press the remote’s button: Decide which button on your remote you want to use to open the garage door. Press this button only once. The mounted opener should flash or make two clicking sounds.

• Test your work: Wait a few seconds and test the button on the remote. It should open the garage door.

Most garage door opener remotes use this method. But if there are any issues, get more specific instructions on how to program a garage door remote by consulting the user manual.

Programming a garage door opener keypad is generally the same amongst garage door opener brands, and the steps are similar to those for the push-button remote.

• Access the opener: Reach the opener on the ceiling by climbing a ladder.

• Locate the programming button: The garage door opener has a button labeled "learn." It may be easy to find, or you may need to remove the cover to locate it.

• Activate the programming button: Press and hold the "learn" button until the garage door opener blinks. You will have only about 30 seconds to complete the next step. Because you have to get to the keypad quickly, consider having a second person available to help.

• Enter the code: Type the code you’ve chosen into the keypad before 30 seconds have passed. Press "enter" and wait for the mounted opener to flash or make two clicking sounds.

• Test your work: Wait a few seconds and test the keypad’s code. It should open the garage door.

Even though most garage door openers and keypads can be linked using this method, read the user’s manual to troubleshoot if you have any issues.

Older model garage door openers might not have the same components as modern ones. If you’re unable to find a "learn" button, or if the process described above doesn’t work, it’s possible you may have an older garage door opener. In this case, you’ll need to consult your user’s manual for instructions on how to reprogram garage door remote clickers and key fobs. Most manuals can be found online. You may also need to hire a professional garage door repair person.

Some car models are designed to connect to garage door openers. There are just a few steps for how to program a garage door opener to car control panels.

• Make sure your car is right outside of the garage so it can connect to the opener.

• The key may need to be in the ignition, or the key fob may need to be inside the car.

• Locate the control panel in your car and find the designated program button.

• Push and hold the program button until you see a flashing light.

• Either type in the code you wish to use or wait for the control panel to automatically link to the garage door opener.

• Test the code or the button after a few seconds.

If these steps don’t work, you may need to consult your user manual or a professional for how to program the garage door opener to car control panels.

Garage door openers can be programmed to work with more than just keypads and standard remotes. Each of the garage door opener accessories has its benefits, and they are made by different manufacturers.

• Key fob remotes: These are designed to hang on your keychain. They’re smaller than remotes that clip to your car’s visor, and they’re perfect if you don’t want to leave a remote in your car.

• Smartphone apps: These applications allow you to open your garage door using your phone. You won’t have to keep up with a remote device, and some apps include monitoring and notifications.

• Wired wall switches: These are installed inside of your garage, which makes them useful as backups or for situations when you don’t want to use a remote.

• Voice control openers: Some garage door openers feature the ability to pair with devices that use voice commands.