How to troubleshoot your garage door keypad
After a long day, the last thing you want to worry about is a garage door keypad that won’t function properly. You may want to relax at home or head out to enjoy some leisure time, but imagine if when you enter your PIN code into the garage door keypad, the garage door doesn’t open. How frustrating!
If your garage door keypad isn’t working, you’re not alone. This article will cover the common reasons for a malfunctioning garage door and how to troubleshoot your garage door keypad.
Common reasons your garage door keypad isn’t working
There are plenty of reasons for a malfunctioning garage door keypad. Fortunately, homeowners can solve most of these issues. Let’s look at the most common problems that affect a garage door keypad and what you can do to fix them.
Dead batteries
Dead batteries are a common issue that can often be overlooked. This could be the problem if you haven’t changed your garage door keypad batteries in a while.
Change your batteries and see if the keypad starts working again. Older battery compartments on garage door keypads use 12-volt batteries, while newer models use 9-volt batteries. You can generally find these at your local hardware shop. It’s best to use lithium batteries because they handle cold weather well.
If you replace the new battery but the garage keypad still doesn’t operate, you might have to reprogram the garage keypad. You might even need to wipe the memory and reset the PIN.
Frayed wires
If the garage door keypad isn’t functioning after replacing the battery, check the wiring. Wear and tear can damage wires. If you experience trouble using one or more particular keys, the issue is most likely due to frayed wiring within the garage door remote. Weather can also damage wires.
Examine the keypad to see if the wires are damaged. Remove the back cover and check the keys to ensure the cables are securely attached. If the cables are disconnected, reattach them, replace the cover, and try to use the keypad again. If this doesn’t work, it might be time to contact a professional to inspect the wiring.
Malfunctioning code
If you notice that closing the garage door is easier than opening it, the code programmed for your garage door keypad might be malfunctioning, which causes the garage door keypad to stop operating. A corrupted security code can result due to many factors.
When you change your batteries, you may need to reprogram your keypad, depending on the model. Or the code might not be working because the keypad is outdated and doesn’t recognize it. You might also have entered the wrong PIN by mistake, which could interfere with the code.
As a rule of thumb, reprogramming is usually simple. Push the “learn” button on the keypad. It’s normally an orange button, so it should be easy to find.
After pressing the learn button for a few seconds, you must enter your new code. Each manufacturer usually sets a different number of seconds within which you need to set your new PIN code. Press the enter key once you’ve entered the new code.
If you can’t figure this out after reading the owner’s manual, call a professional. They can help you reprogram the code or find alternatives.
Stuck keys
Dust and grime tend to collect between the keys of your garage door keypad, causing them to stick together. If this happens, the keypad’s garage door opener can stop operating. Even if you enter the code, the garage opener won’t activate.
Fortunately, there’s a quick-fix solution to this. You can try using a clean towel to wipe off the interior and exterior of the keypad. You must pay attention to the gaps between the buttons in particular. You can also try using a soft brush or compressed air to clean the keyboard.
Poor connection between the buttons
A garage door opener keypad also might not work due to malfunctioning buttons or faulty keys. You can verify this by entering a four-digit code at random. If the random code works, the keys are likely the issue.
Dust and dirt accumulate over time, making the buttons malfunction. Additionally, old keypads can have broken buttons due to wear and tear. Over time, keys might become loose, making it difficult to operate the garage door. Try to clean the dirt from your keypad from time to time. If this doesn’t work, you might need a replacement.
Old keypad
The keypad on your garage door might not work because it is old. Remember that your garage door keypad is outside your house and exposed to weather conditions, including rain, snow and humidity. Over time, these conditions can damage your keypad. While some models deal with adverse weather conditions better than others, the typical lifetime of a keypad is 10 years, according to most manufacturers.
If all other components seem to be in working order, you should consider replacing the keypad. The best solution is to have a professional examine the keypad first. However, if no other fixes work, your only choice might be to replace it.
Incorrect PIN code
If you’re unsure of your PIN code, it’s probably best to avoid entering it several times. There’s usually a threshold on how many times you can enter a code. If you repeatedly enter the wrong code, the system will disable the keypad as a security mechanism. This process is similar to how credit-card security functions.
If you can’t remember the PIN code, you’ll have to create a new one. Enter a new code by pressing the “learn” button on the garage door keypad opener. It takes a few minutes to reprogram and reset the new code. After installing the new code, the opener and the keypad should function again.
If this doesn’t work, you must reconfigure your entire system. Rebooting your system clears all of your keypad’s memory, including the PIN code you previously used. Turn off and disconnect the garage opener for around five minutes. You can set a new security code after you plug it back in.
If a reset does not work, you might need professional assistance to replace the keypad entirely.
Need to reboot the system
If you can’t remember your PIN code, the garage door opener won’t function, or the system isn’t working properly, you might want to reset the entire system as a last resort. A complete reset is simple, so there’s no need to panic. Simply disconnect your garage door opener for five minutes after turning it off. This should clear the memory, and then you can start the machine again.
You’ll clear all the cached memory in your garage door opener by resetting it, which should help you avoid problems in the future. However, if your garage door keypad continues to malfunction, you may need to hire a professional or replace the entire system. Before you go out and purchase a new keypad system, make sure you check the owner’s manual for any warranties. Don’t purchase a brand-new garage door keypad if you don’t have to.
How to reset your garage door keypad
The first step is to check the manufacturer’s instructions for resetting your garage door keypad. These should be in the handbook included when you purchased the machine. The rest of the process is common throughout most keypads and should be as follows:
- Head over to your garage door opener, then locate and open the lighted cover compartment. A colorful square button labeled “learn” is within the enclosure. Different openers have different-colored buttons, including green, yellow, orange and purple.
- A light will turn on when you push the “learn” button. As mentioned earlier, the reset procedure is relatively quick. When you push the learn button and the light comes on, that’s your signal to start inputting the new PIN; usually, you only have around 30 seconds before the light goes out to finish the process.
- Enter your new PIN code into your garage door keypad. It should be a four-digit number. Hit the enter button on the keypad as soon as you’re done. When you press the enter button, the garage door keypad will either beep or click once to indicate that it has received your new PIN code.
- Once done, try out the garage door keypad by entering your new code. If your garage door opens and closes on command, then the reset process was successful.
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