Liftmaster Remote Not Working? (4 Things to Check Right Now)

Liftmaster remote not working?

We hear from customers every now and then who have discovered their remote doesn’t seem to be working properly. Fortunately, there are a few simple reasons that might be causing this problem.

In this article, you will discover 4 common problems that may prevent your Liftmaster remote from working properly.

Let’s get started.

Liftmaster Remote Not Working!

Before you can go about fixing your garage door remote, you’ll need to know how it works in the first place. Your remote is a radio transmitter. Most modern garage door remotes transmit at 315 MHz. When you press the button on your remote, the opener on your garage door receives it. It’ll then start the motor running that opens your garage door.

Modern remotes transmit a binary number to your garage door opener. This number is unique every time you use the garage door. When you press the button, the opener ‘listens’ for the correct number that works on your door. If it hears the right one, it will open. Once the door has opened, the system will reset and a new number will be generated.

This came about as in the early days of garage door openers, the door could be opened with any remote. Of course, this presented a security risk, so the number generating system was put in place to keep your garage safe.

Common Reasons Remotes Don’t Work

So you drive up to your garage door, press the button on your remote, and nothing happens. What’s going on? There are several reasons why the remote isn’t working, so there’s no need to panic.

Here’s what you should check for when the door won’t open:

1. Remote batteries – Try changing the batteries

The most common reason your remote isn’t working is simply that the batteries have worn out. These days, you’ll get thousands of openings off your one set of batteries, but eventually, those batteries will just run out. You’ll need to try replacing the batteries and trying the remote again. In most cases, you’ll see that the garage door starts opening again.

On the subject of batteries, the type that you use in the remote is important. Many people like to use rechargeable batteries, in order to reduce waste. This is a good idea in theory, but the problem is these types of batteries don’t put out enough power. You’ll want to use good name brand batteries to ensure you get the most use out of them.

2. Remote battery contacts – Make sure the contacts aren’t damaged

The battery contacts inside your remote are what transmit the power from the battery to the remote itself. Over time, these get worn and damaged, so you want to keep an eye on it. Take a look at your contacts. Are the dirty, worn, or discolored? If they are, then you’ll need to clean and polish them before they’ll work again.

To do this, dry the contacts with a clean cloth, and then polish them with a fine-grit sandpaper. This will take any dirt and discoloration off, allowing them to connect the battery power to the remote again.

3. Remote eye – Clean the lens of your remote

The eye on your remote is what transmits the signal to your garage door opener. It’s not uncommon for remote lenses to gather dirt over time, so be sure to clean this area every now and then to ensure the signal can travel properly.

This is another simple problem to solve. Take a soft damp cloth and wipe away any dirt that’s accumulated on the eye. This should solve most problems. In more extreme cases, the plastic that houses the eye becomes pitted and scratched, and if that gets too bad you won’t be able to clean that off. In these cases, you’ll need to buy a new remote.

4. Remote reset – Try resetting the remote with your opener

In some cases, you’ll need to reset the opener and the remote, in order to get them to work. They’re both small computers, and sometimes the circuit boards in them need to be rebooted in order to work properly.

To do this with your remote, all you need to do is remove the batteries for about 30 seconds. To reboot the opener, unplug the unit from the wall for about 30 seconds, and then plug it back in. This will get the system to reset itself. Try the remote again once you have completed both of these steps, and see if it’s working now.

What If It Still Doesn’t Work?

So you’ve followed these steps, and your remote still isn’t opening the garage door. What do you do now? It may be that the remote itself isn’t functioning properly, and so you’ll need a new one. New remotes aren’t too hard to buy, and they don’t cost much either. It’s worth buying a new one, programming it to work with your opener, and trying that. In many cases, this will fix the problem.

If this still doesn’t work, then it may not be a problem with your opener at all. The opener mechanic may have a fault, where it doesn’t receive the signal your remote is putting out. It may also be that the mechanics of the door aren’t working, and so your opener is sending the signal to open, but the door can’t. Whatever the problem is, you’ll need to call in a repair professional to handle it for you. They’ll examine the door and see what’s causing the issue.

If your Liftmaster remote isn’t working, there’s no need to panic. You can troubleshoot it yourself quickly and easily, and in most cases get it working again. If it doesn’t call on a professional to take a look and fix it for you. Soon you’ll have your garage door working again.

If you’re unable to resolve the problem, you may need to contact a professional garage door service near you for help. If you’re in the Ventura County or Los Angeles County area, contact Your Garage Door Guys for an estimate. One of our friendly professionals will visit you at your convenience and assess the problem.

Professional Garage Door Opener Repair

Experiencing issues with your garage door opener can be frustrating and inconvenient, disrupting your daily routine.

Your Garage Door Guys specializes in expert repair services for all types of garage door openers, ensuring smooth and reliable operation. Your Garage Door Guys provides garage door repair in Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Woodland Hills, and other areas throughout Conejo Valley and San Fernando Valley. See our service areas for more.