How to Program Garage Door Remotes

One of the biggest advantages of modern garage doors is the convenience of opening them remotely. Having a remote means you no longer have to get out of your car to open the door, something that is greatly appreciated when it’s pouring rain!

But what happens if you need to replace your garage door remote? Can you program it to work with your existing garage door? Don’t waste time searching for ‘how to program garage door remote’, as we explain how it’s done in the blog below.

With more than 20 years of experience, the team at PDS Garage Doors is committed to providing residential clients in Melbourne’s northern suburbs with custom and cost-effective garage door solutions. Get in touch with our expert team for more information.

Why Would I Need a New Garage Door Remote?

There are many reasons why homeowners may need to invest in a new remote for their garage door.

Perhaps the remote has sustained physical damage (such as being dropped, exposed to water, or just wear and tear due to age) and no longer works. Perhaps it was lost or even stolen, and you want to prevent unauthorised access to your home. Or perhaps it’s malfunctioning (due to dead batteries or faulty wiring), and the door no longer opens properly.

In all of these cases, purchasing a new remote will ensure that you have hands-free access to your garage and that it remains secure against intrusion.

Can I Reprogram My Old Remote?

There are situations where the garage remote itself is fine, but it may need to be reprogrammed.

Perhaps interference from nearby power lines or other electronic devices has interrupted the signal between the remote and the door. Perhaps it’s not functioning properly, and you want to try resetting it to see if that fixes the problem. Or perhaps you’ve replaced the batteries and now the remote is not recognising the door.

In these cases, reprogramming your existing remote is a good starting point. If you’re still unable to open your garage door, then you should purchase a new remote.

How to Program Garage Door Remotes

The very first thing you need to do is find the manufacturer’s guidelines or programming instructions specific to the make and model of your garage door. If you don’t have these, please feel free to get in touch, and we can help you out. Didn’t buy a garage door from us? We’ll provide some general programming guidelines below.

The next step is to gather all the necessary tools and equipment. This will depend on what type of remote you have. You may also need a ladder to access the garage door unit.

1. Check that the garage door and remote brands are the same
Transmitters (the remote control) and receivers (the unit) operate at a specific frequency based on the brand. If the remote is not the same brand as the unit, they may operate on different frequencies and may not be compatible.

2. Find the programming button on your garage door unit
Access the control panel of your unit (usually located on the ceiling of the garage, where the door rolls up) by removing the cover. Locate the programming or ‘learn’ button; pressing this will activate your unit’s programming mode.

3. Reset the garage door unit (if necessary)
In some cases, you may need to reset your unit to clear the existing settings and allow you to enter new access codes. You may need to hold down two buttons or insert a paper clip into a small hole to perform this action; your instruction manual is the best source for guidance.

4. Program the new remote to the garage door unit
Within 30 seconds of pressing the ‘learn’ button, you’ll need to press and hold down the button on the remote. Once the unit blinks or you hear a clicking sound, you can release the button. The programming should have been successful

5. Test that the remote and garage door unit are paired correctly
Try using the remote to open and close the garage door. If it works, you’ve paired them correctly and are good to go. If you have more than one new remote to program, simply follow the same process outlined above for each.

Merlin Garage Door Openers

We frequently use Merlin openers with our custom garage doors. While the above instructions will work with these systems, you can also view their instruction sheet for more specific information. These instructions cover single-button remote controls, three-button remote controls, three-button mini remote controls, four-button remote controls, and wireless wall controls.

Garage Door Remote Programming Made Easy

At PDS Garage Doors, our service doesn’t end with installation. Located in Epping, we’re here to help our clients with servicing and repairs, including advice on what to do when you need a new remote. If you’ve broken or lost your remote and need help getting your door back into action, get in touch with our professional team today, and we’ll do our best to help.

Alternatively, if you’re interested in a new custom garage door for your home, we have a range of premium options available.

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