How to Program a Garage Door Opener: Simple DIY Steps

PDF download Download Article
A comprehensive guide on setting up your garage remote
PDF download Download Article

A garage door opener makes your life so much easier, but first you have to program the remote or keypad. Fortunately, most garage door openers manufactured after 1993 all use the same simple and easy process for programming or resetting garage door openers. [1] Even better, you can have your garage door opener working in less than 10 minutes! We're going to walk you through the process of programming or resetting a garage remote, a garage keypad, and your car's HomeLink garage opener.

How to Program Garage Door Remotes

Remove the back panel or light cover on the motor housing and look for a button labeled “learn.” Hit this button and hold it until the light flashes. Then, press your garage opener’s button to pair it to the motor.

Get Product Support Solve Any Problem

wH
Hi there! Do you have a question about how to use or repair your home appliance? I’ve read the manuals so you don’t have to. Select your product, brand, and model, then ask away!
*
*
Section 1 of 4:

Remote Control Programming

PDF download Download Article
  1. The motor is the rectangular box that houses the chain for your garage door in the middle of the ceiling. At the back of your garage door opener’s motor, you’ll see a plastic piece that detaches. This is your rear flap or light cover, depending on the brand of garage door opener you have. Pop that cover open.
    • For a rear flap, press the tabs located on each side of the plastic flap at the same time. Then, gently pull it off to remove the control panel. [2]
    • If you have a light cover, gently pull it off of the garage door opener.
    • If you have a newer garage door opener, the buttons may not be hidden at all.
    • Use a ladder to reach your garage door motor.
  2. On many models, the button is labeled. However, it may just be a brightly colored button. Next to the button, you’ll see a small LED light that will illuminate when the button is activated. Hold the learn button down until the LED light starts flashing. [3]
    • Some models call this button a “smart” button. It’s the same thing as a learn button. [4] Depending on the brand, it may also be labelled “program” or “connect.”
    Advertisement
  3. You normally have 30 seconds to push your remote button after the light starts flashing. Click the button once to establish a link with the garage door opener. Don’t hold the button down. [5]
    • If you miss the 30-second window, don’t worry. You can just press and hold the “learn” button again.
  4. On most models, the light bulb will flash when your remote is successfully programmed or reset. This just confirms that the process works. [6]
    • Some garage door openers don’t blink when the remote successfully connects. You may hear a chime or confirmation sound, though.
  5. Push the button on your remote once to make sure your garage door opens. Then, press the button again to close the garage door. [7]
    • If your remote isn’t working, go through the programming process again. You might also change the battery in your remote.
    6. Advertisement
Section 2 of 4:

Door Keypad Programming

PDF download Download Article
  1. The back of your garage door opener motor will likely have a plastic piece that conceals the control panel and light bulb. To open a rear flap, push the release buttons on either side of the flap and pull it open. If you have a light cover, simply pull it off of the garage door opener. [8]
    • Behind the plastic flap or light cover, you’ll see several buttons and a light bulb.
    • If you have a newer model, the buttons may not be covered by anything.
    • Use a ladder to reach the buttons you need to access.
  2. There is an LED light next to your “learn” button. Hold the button for about 6 seconds and watch for the light to go out. When it does, release the “learn” button. This will clear the link between your garage door opener and the keypad and remote. [9]
    • Typically, the “learn” button is colored, so it may be purple, yellow, or another color. If you don’t see a label, look for a colored button. It may also be labelled “connect” or “program.”
    • You’ll also have to reprogram your garage door remote once you finish programming the door panel. Follow the directions above if you need help. It’s okay to do this after you program the keypad because reprogramming your garage door remote won’t clear the settings on your keypad.
  3. The LED light next to the “learn” button will come on when it’s ready to be programmed. You have 30 seconds to program your keypad after the LED comes on. [10]
    • If you don’t make it to the keypad in time, just press the “learn” button again.
  4. Use a new code that will be your official key code for opening and closing your garage door. If you enter it successfully, the light on your garage door opener will flash. This confirms the link is reset. [11]
    • If you don’t see the light flash, go ahead and test your keypad to see if it works. However, you may need to repeat the process all over again.
    • What if I don’t have a keypad and I’m just programming a button-style control panel? In that case, simply press the button on the panel that you want to open the door. If that doesn’t work, repeat this process but hold the button down instead of clicking it once.
  5. The light bulb on your garage door will flash if you’ve entered the new code in time. If your garage door doesn’t have a light bulb, you may hear a click. This let’s you know your garage door opener is programmed. [12]
  6. After you type in the new code, press enter. Your garage door should open or close if you entered the code correctly. [13]
    • If your garage door doesn’t work, you may not have entered your new key code fast enough. Repeat the process and make sure you enter the code within the 30-second time window.
    • It’s a good idea to write down your keycode in the notes on your phone or on a scrap of paper just in case you have trouble remembering it at first.
    7. Advertisement
Section 3 of 4:

Car Buttons (HomeLink) Programming

PDF download Download Article
  1. The buttons are usually located on the interior roof of your car near your rearview mirror and lights. They might also be on your rearview mirror or on the visor over your driver's seat. You should see 3 buttons in a row, with a little house emblem above them. [14]
    • Check your vehicle’s manual if you’re having trouble finding where the control buttons are located.
    • What is HomeLink? HomeLink is a wireless control system found in every major manufacture’s vehicles. If you have 2-3 unlabeled buttons on your dashboard, under your rearview mirror, or in the ceiling/visor, your car has HomeLink. Most vehicles made after the early 2000s will have this. [15]
      • Just FYI, you can also use the HomeLink buttons to connect gates, security systems, or smart home devices.
  2. This will activate your vehicle's learning mode so you can link your car to your garage door opener. Watch for the indicator light above the controls to light up. [16]
    • Only hold the button down for up to 30 seconds. If you hold it longer than this, it will reset your controls back to the default factory settings.
  3. The flashing light signifies that your system is in learning mode. You can now link your vehicle’s system to your garage door opener. [17]
  4. They need to be close to each other so they can link without mixing signals up with other nearby electronics. Use 1 hand to work your current garage door remote, and the other to push the control buttons on your car. [18]
  5. At first, the indicator light will still blink slowly. However, you should notice the light speeding up as the garage door remote and your car’s remote button link up. When the light is flashing quickly, you can let go of the buttons. [19]
    • You can use any of the buttons on your car's Homelink control panel. If you’d like, you can program one button to open the garage and then the other buttons to complete other tasks (like opening a gate or turning on a light in your yard).
  6. Your garage door should open and close when you press the button in your car. However, some garage door openers may not link up this way. [20]
    • If this doesn’t work, you may need to set it from your garage door opener. Climb a ladder to access the rear of your garage door opener. Press the “learn” button near the light bulb. Within 30 seconds, press the garage door opener in your car 3 times to pair it. [21]
    • It can take 2 or 3 times to link a car garage door remote button to a garage door opener, so don’t feel discouraged if the process doesn’t work for you at first.
    7. Advertisement
Section 4 of 4:

Troubleshooting Common Problems

PDF download Download Article
  1. If your garage door remote only works some of the time or you have to hit the button multiple times to get it to register, try changing the light bulb on your garage door opener. Specifically, use a non-smart bulb that is a different brand than the bulb already in the motor housing. Some LED bulbs emit a frequency that interferes with garage door remotes and prevents them from working. [22]
  2. If you press the remote button and the door begins to open but immediately stops, your emergency lock is likely on. Home improvement specialist Ryaan Tuttle says, “I've had to deal with myself in the past and it's the only way to open a garage door that is not opening electronically. That is a safety feature they put on doors, but people often forget about them when they’re working on a garage.”
    • The emergency lock is usually located on the bottom of the door on its inside. There are a few different designs, but you typically just pull a metal pin out of an opening on the door’s track.
  3. Home improvement specialist Ryaan Tuttle recommends hiring a pro for any motor-related hiccups. He says, “If you're not sure about something and you can't figure it out online or YouTube, hire a professional to help you with this stuff. It can be dangerous to mess with the motor if you don’t take the proper safety precautions.”
    4. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Check your manufacturer’s instructions if you’re having trouble programming your garage door opener. While most models work the same, it’s possible your garage door opener could be different.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • A power surge can wipe out your garage door opener’s memory. If it suddenly stops working, try reprogramming your remote or keypad.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Lubricate a Garage Door
      How to
      Reprogram Your LiftMaster Garage Door Opener Motor
      How to
      Adjust a Garage Door Spring
      How to
      Reset Your Garage Door Keypad Without the Previous Code
      How to
      Align Garage Door Sensors
      8 Effective Ways to Extend the Range of a Garage Door
      How to
      Open a Garage Door without Power
      How to
      Disable a Garage Door Sensor
      How to
      Balance a Garage Door
      How to
      Fix a Garage Door Spring
      How to
      Replace the Rollers on a Garage Door
      How to
      Install a Garage Door Opener
      How to
      Install an Overhead Garage Door
      5 Ways to Weather-Seal a Garage Door
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ppZUjn8XyY&t=14s
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ppZUjn8XyY&t=32s
      3. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/garages/22225015/fix-a-garage-door-that-wont-close
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ppZUjn8XyY&t=37s
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ppZUjn8XyY&t=92s
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ppZUjn8XyY&t=99s
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ppZUjn8XyY&t=119s
      8. ↑ https://heritagedoor.com/liftmaster-learn-button-explained/
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eqZts761e4&t=15s
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eqZts761e4&t=21s
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEUWlPKwIOA&t=93s
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eqZts761e4&t=29s
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee9jJvoknJo&t=136s
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmOvGJCi0eY&t=17s
      6. ↑ https://www.brookingsautomall.com/what-is-homelink/
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esHbZdJ-J9c&t=21s
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmOvGJCi0eY&t=150s
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esHbZdJ-J9c&t=49s
      10. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmOvGJCi0eY&t=233s
      11. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esHbZdJ-J9c&t=65s
      12. ↑ https://youtu.be/ZmOvGJCi0eY?t=292
      13. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ppZUjn8XyY&t=144s

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 69,529 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement