One thing that every technology brings is convenience. New technologies help us do things better, faster, and with less efforts.

That way, you won’t need to get out of your car to open them yourself.

What is a garage door opener?

First of all, let’s explain what a garage door opener is. This is a motorized system that lifts up and rolls down your garage doors. It is usually controlled by a switch and a remote control.

The biggest benefit of garage door opener is that when you arrive, you can just press the remote control from your car and the doors will be lifted up. Once you enter, you can control it to roll down the doors.

Some door openers are actually timed. They will wait for a minute or two, depending on their setting and they will automatically roll down the garage doors. Some of these openers now come with mobile apps that you can install on your smartphone.

Collective consumer reports on garage door openers

According to a reliable report, the garage doors are opened about 1,500 times in a year. It means without any garage door opener, you will be lifting up your garage doors and bringing them down about 1,500 times in a year. In ten years, you will do it about 15,000 times on the average.

Considering how heavy the doors are, consumers see the garage door opener as a life saver. They also love the fact that there are several types of it and they come at different prices so everyone will have one that suits their budget.

Remember, the garage door opener is a system. This means it is made up of several components. This article also lists some essential parts of a garage door opener and the function of each of them.

These features make the openers convenient. This will help you understand how the system works.

Features of a garage door opener

1. Remote Control

The remote control is used to activate the opening and closing of the garage doors. However, most garage doors openers are also controlled by wall mounted switches.

The wall mounted switch is only convenient for opening the garage doors when you are about to drive out. If there is no one left inside, you will have to get down from the car, go inside the garage to press the switch for the doors to come down.

Since most switches are fixed inside the garage, you will have to come out through your living room and that makes your journey even longer.

When you get back home and there is no one at home, you will get down from your car, go through your living room to the garage to press the switch and the doors will go up. You will run into your car to drive it inside. What if it is raining? You will also get wet.

A remote control brings more convenience. After driving out, you will just press the control in your car and the door will go down.

You will also do the same thing when you get back home. Even if anyone is at home, it is easier to open the garage doors with the remote right beside you in your car than calling someone to come and open it for you.

The remote control is one of the most essential parts of the system. Due to its usefulness, many consumers believe that any garage door opener without a remote control is incomplete.

2. Manual Release

This feature allows you to control your garage doors manually. The question is, why would you want to operate it manually when there is a switch and a remote control?

The simple answer is that both switch and remote control are engineered to open the garage doors completely.

If you are working on your car in the garage and you only want to open the garage doors halfway for ventilation, you may have to deactivate the electric mechanism so that you can control it manually and this allows you to open it partially.

According to consumer reports, most users don’t use this feature as they have no reason to open their garage doors halfway.

3. Security Light

If you come in late in the night, you will need a light overhead. It will prevent you from running into an obstacle. Modern garage doors have their automatic light that comes on when the door is open.

The light also shuts off itself a few minutes after the door goes down. You may wonder why the light cannot be left on permanently. It will be a waste of power and it will also shorten the lifespan of the light.

There is no point turning on a light that is not being used.

4. Keychain remote

This is the remote that will be attached to your car key. That way, you only need to tap the remote when you are in front of your garage and the door will go up.

What consumers love about it is that they don’t have to wait till they get close to the garage to tap the remote. They do it while they are a distance away so the garage will already be open when they get to it.

This gives them a zero waiting time for the garage doors to go up.

5. Home automation system

Most modern garage door openers can be integrated to home automation system. So, you can use a voice request to open the garage door when you are inside.

You can just say “Alexa, open the garage door” and the garage door opener will be activated. This adds to the convenience that garage door openers bring to your home.

6. Auto-close

This feature allows you to time your garage doors when they are open. When the time is up the garage door opener will shut them.

You may want to leave your garage doors open for a while for fresh air on hotter days. You can just program the opener to shut it after a certain number of minutes or hours.

Final Verdict

You need to understand that there are many more features apart from the ones listed above. These are just the ones consumers enjoy the most.

Of course, new garage door openers will come with more features and better technology. Finally, based on consumer reports on garage doors, the device is indispensable to homes with a garage.

Ever thought of installing a garage door opener yourself? Sounds strange. This is due to the complexity associated with installing them and the risk that revolves around it. Also the fact that many people lack information and know how on how to undertake the process.

Although it is a bit technical, with the help of these guidelines, garage door openers are not only possible but also easy to install. This saves you money and gives you a chance of using a system that you understand.

Things to know

1^st Step

Start by assessing the garage door. You can do this by checking to see that the garage door is compatible with the garage door opener. Some garage door openers are designed for specific garage doors. Make certain that you are well versed with your garage door.

Choose the garage door opener that best suits your purpose. While there are so many brands of garage door openers in market today, there are majorly two types of openers. Chain and belt driven.

Although their operation is roughly the same, they are different especially when the noise factor is considered. Belt driven door openers tend to be quieter as compared to chain driven door openers.

2^nd Step

Next step is to prepare the garage door for installation. This is done by repairing the garage door and ensuring that it is well lubricated. After this, remove all the locks that might have been installed earlier.

Also, remove all ropes if any and anything else that is not part of the door. Ensure that the garage door is repaired such that no weight will be supported by the opener as this will damage.

3^rd Step

Check to see there is an electrical plug around. If there is no any electrical plugging around, ensure that one is installed around. Where wiring is not done, it should be done at this point since the garage door will require it.

Note: wiring should be done by a professional electrician to ensure that there are no accidents such as electric shock. If you can do it by yourself, ensure that the electricity is switched off from the main meter.

4^th Step

Installing the garage door opener is the next step. Ensure you have all the parts of the opener.

Now that you are fully prepared, check to see that all the parts were delivered to you as listed. If any of the parts of the opener is missing, contact your supplier so that the necessary arrangements are made.

Assemble the main part. The first thing is putting the rail together. The rail comes in different parts which are very easy to put together. Actually they should fit in easily.

Slide the trolley on the rail and then attach it to the motor compartment. At the end, this will be the largest part of the device and it should be positioned on the farthest end.

Put the pulley. The pulley is usually put at the end of the rail. After this, put in the belt or the chain (depending on the type that you purchased) into the rail. Attach the end of the belt or the chain to the carriage using the provided screws.

5^th Step

Install blocking and attach bracket. At this point, follow the instructions given by the manufacturer. However, when installing the blocking, ensure that it is done on solid wood for safety purposes.

Attach the bracket following the manufacturer’s instructions. Where the specifications are missing, it is important that you consult them so that you are instructed accordingly.

6^th Step

Attach the assembly and put it to place. At the end of the assembly, attach the bracket to it. Ensure that you only attach the bracket that was purchased with the specific opener.

After this, put the power unit. The power unit should be at a considerable height so that it is not run over. Ascribe the bracket to the garage. Use the two pieces to ascribe the door opener to the door. This will ensure flexibility.

Installing Other features

Step 1: On the emergency release, attach the safety rope as in the manual. This should be at a considerable height so that all people but children reach it.

Step 2: Where the garage opener allow for lighting system, insert the bulb. Check to see that you put the bulb of the right power. (Watts)

Step 3: Adjust the safety reverse system. The electric eye should be installed properly and set to ensure that it can detect motion reliably.

Step 4: Test to see that it is working properly. It is important to note that some garage door openers are noisy in nature. This does not necessarily mean that it is not working properly.

Final verdict

While installing a garage door opener may seem complex, with the guidelines from experts it is a cinch. However, all the safety precautions should be taken to ensure that there are no accidents.

Most of the devices are shipped to you with manuals with detailed instructions and precautions.

These should be followed strictly to avoid damage. Information availed in the internet by the manufacturer on how to install specific devices should be strongly considered.

Did you know that you can program your own garage door opener all by yourself? Sounds technical. However, this is a simple process without any technicality.

Programming your garage door opener is actually very important. This will ease all the workloads that you may have in your garage. It also makes it easier to store your vehicle securely and properly.

The below step by step guidelines will guide you and they are all that you need, whether you have a manual or not. It is applicable to all types of garage door openers and will be of great help regardless of the type of car that you may be having.

Before programming

1^st Step

The first thing to do is to check the status of the battery. You are required to check the status of the battery of the hand held transmitter.

This is to ensure that the battery you have is new and powerful to help you perform your operations fully until the end as required.

An old battery will be hectic to work with. In cases where you may not be sure how long the battery has been used, purchase a new one to make programming easier.

2^nd Step

Check the car key and ensure that you put it at the ACC position. Programming cannot be done when the car is off. Before programming, ensure that the car key is at ACC position.

Also check to ensure that everything is rightly positioned as required to enable better programming.

3^rd Step

After checking to see that everything is set as required, you can then locate the transmitter and press it. Press the transmitter till the light start flashing.

On the transmitter, there are two outer buttons. Press and hold the button for a minimum of 20 seconds until the lights start flashing. This is a step that is very important especially in cases where the car has never been programmed before.

4^th Step

This is the most crucial step of the process. This is where you start your programming. This is done by holding the button that you are programming down for approximately 25 seconds without releasing it.

You can hold it using your hand. Make sure that you hold the button until it begins flashing slowly. Programming garage door opener is sometimes tricky and requires patience.

Since it requires patience, you are then advised to hold it until you move to the next step. This is necessary and important because it will erase everything if you won’t do as required.

Note: as you go to the next step, do not release the button

5^th Step

At this stage, you are required to enter the frequency into the hand held transmitter. Hold the transmitter with one hand and point it towards the already flashing light about 2inches (5.08 cm) away.

With the other hand, press the operating button until the light starts flashing faster. This will imply that the frequency has been entered successfully. Release the two buttons.

At this point, you are done. You have successfully programmed your garage door. This is actually very simple since you will be only dealing with buttons by pressing them. After releasing the two buttons you process is complete and you are advised to test it.

6^th Step

This is the stage where you will be doing your testing. Test your programmed garage door opener to see if it is properly working. To perform your testing well, Press the smart button on the garage door opener. If the button is not labelled, check the button with a light near it.

If the light stays on continuously, you have programmed your garage door opener and it is now ready for use! This implies that if you press the button in the in-car transmitter the door will move.

If the light flashes at intervals, programming is not yet achieved. In a span of less than 30 seconds, press the button that you were programming in the in-car transmitter for approximately 3 seconds then release it.

If the door does not move yet, press and hold it again for three seconds until the door moves. Once the door moves, your garage door opener is successfully programmed!

Note: here you may need someone to help you as time is a factor. However, if you are alone, do it as fast as possible. Just in case 30 seconds are over before you reach the in- car transmitter, repeat step 6 trying to be a little bit faster.

Final verdict

From our deep discussion, it is clear that though programming a garage door opener may sound too technical, it is just a few steps away.

Although there is a lot of information about how to program, there are indeed very few sources that have enough information to guide you through successfully.

Basing the information on experts’ knowledge, this guideline is one that is of great help whether or not you are having a manual regardless of the type of car or the garage door opener that you are using.

It is important that you go through all the steps comprehensively before starting to program. This will minimize the chances of making mistakes.

While this article guides you on how to sync your garage door opener, remember that if cost is not a constraint, you are better off with getting the synchronization or programming done by a professional.

A Little Information About Code Switches

Older garage door remotes and newer ones have code switches but the difference is that older remote use permanent codes while the codes for newer ones change every minute since it is backed by rolling code technology.

The code is changed each time the remote is pressed. This is a security feature that makes hacking almost impossible. Each time you press it, the remote sends a signal to the garage door opener to either go up or come down with the help of a radio frequency.

Garage Door Remote Frequencies

Garage door remote have their own frequencies which is usually written on their pack. Garage door opener remote operate at the following frequencies – 300 MHz, 310 MHz, 315 MHz, 318 MHz, or 390 MHz.

Syncing A Garage Door Opener

1. Choose a remote

For easy troubleshooting when things go wrong, it is better to buy your remote from the manufacturer of your garage door opener. Besides, this erases any possibility of having compatibility issues.

Some of the best manufacturers of garage doors are Stanley, Linear, Allstar, Genie, and Liftmaster. So, remember this when choosing your remote.

2. Try to locate the Learn Button

The process of programming or syncing your remote to the garage door opener differs from one garage door opener to another. You need the learn button to initiate it so you need to find the learn button first. Remove the light cover on the opener to find the learn button.

3. Program the Remote

After locating the learn button, you should press and hold on to it until the indicator light blinks on the opener.

Press the button while the indicator light is blinking. After that, you need to test the remote by pressing it once to see if the door will move. If the syncing is properly done, the door will move.

You also need to understand that a garage door opener can only maintain either five remotes or four remotes and a keyless entry. The implication is that if a remote is lost, you may need to erase all the codes from your opener to add a new one.

This can be done easily by pressing the learn button until the indicator light stops blinking. After that, you can now reprogram it by following the steps outlined above. Most importantly, the code switches in your garage door remote should match the ones in your garage door opener.

4. Syncing your garage door opener to your car’s HomeLink System

New cars usually have this instruction in their manual. However, if the instruction is filled with too many technical terms for you to understand, you can follow the steps outlined below to the syncing. This should not take you more than 10 minutes.

Before you go ahead, ensure that the handheld transmitter and the in-car transmitter are in good condition. Remember, garage door openers operate on a frequency of 288 – 433 MHz. The frequency of your unit will be stated on the back of the handheld transmitter.

5. Programming Your Garage Door Opener

Programming your garage door opener to your car HomeLink System requires raising and lowering the door several times, so you should ensure that kids and pets are prevented from coming to the area before you start the programming.

6. Start with a new battery

To be sure that the battery of the handheld transmitter is in perfect condition, start with a new one. Even if there has been a battery in it, you should replace it before the synchronization.

7. Switch to “ACC”

The next step is to turn the key to the accessory (ACC) position. It should be done before you begin to program the garage door.

8. Clear previous programming

If you think the garage door opener has been programmed before, you need to clear the previous programming by pressing the two outer buttons on the transmitter for about 20 seconds or until the light starts flashing.

After that, you can press and hold the button on the transmitter until it begins flashing slowly. This should not take more than 30 seconds. You still need to hold the button down for the next step.

Now, take the handheld transmitter and point it towards the flashing light from about 2 inches away. Press the operating button on the unit. Wait until the flashing on the light is a little faster.

This means that the frequency has been registered on the HomeLink transmitter. You can then release both buttons.

9. Complete the programming

Now, you may need a little assistance on this. You need a ladder and a flashlight. Check the learn button or training button on the motor located inside the garage. Be careful because the button is not usually labelled. It has a small light that flashes beside it when it is pressed.

If after pressing the learn button, the indicator light stays on continuously for a long period, it means the synchronization is done and the remote should function with the garage door opener. On the other hand, if the indicator light still flashes, it means you have just 30 seconds to complete the next step.

This is why it is advisable to look for someone to assist you on the next step. Not necessarily an expert but anyone that can support.

Go to the car. Remember, the key should still be on ACC. Press the button you programmed earlier on the in-car transmitter for three seconds and release it. Press it again for another three seconds and release it. The garage door should move now.

If it hasn’t moved, then you should press for another three seconds for the third time. The door should move now. If it does, it means you have successfully programmed it.

Final Verdict

Now that you have learnt how to sync a garage door opener, you should also know that if after the whole programming the door does not move, it is a sign that you got a step wrong.

Instead of trying to troubleshoot it, call a professional. As a matter of fact, it is better to get it programmed by a professional for the first time.

This article focuses on how to fix a garage door opener but before then, it also discusses about the safety tips and precautions to take while you are troubleshooting or repairing the system.

So, it is important to study the whole system when it is still functional. Here are the safety features of every garage door opener.

Safety Features Of A Garage Door Opener

1. Motion Sensors

This is the most important safety feature in a garage door opener and you should commend it. The motion sensor checks if there is anything or anyone lying where the doors will berth on. If there is, the motion sensor will send a signal and the garage door will be halted from coming down.

This is very important as the trunk of your car may be in the way of the garage door. Children or pets may be in the way too. While the door is coming down, if a pet just runs across, the motion sensor will halt the door immediately.

2. Locks

This feature helps you lock your remote. It disables it completely. You probably want to ask why anyone will deliberately want to disable the remote control of his garage door opener. You may misplace it.

If you don’t disable it, anyone that sees it will have access to your garage and that will lead to your home. So, for security reasons, you should disable your lock whenever you lose the remote control of your garage door opener.

3. Rolling Code Technology

This technology is designed to make the code of your garage door opener change every minute. The main benefit of this technology is to prevent thieves from being able to hack your fob and gain access to your house through your garage.

4. Force Guard Control

To explain this feature in a simple form, it reduces the speed and force at which the garage doors move up and come down. This is necessary because the faster they move, the more wear and tear they will encounter.

Some people prefer their garage doors to move up and down with speed so they don’t need this feature. Here is an advice for those users. Instead of making your garage door open fast, why not open it a few minutes before you get into the car or activate it immediately you get into the car

By the time your car warms up, the garage will be open. On your way back home, you can also tap the remote when you a few distance to the garage so that by the time you get there, it will already be open. That way moving fast or slow will not make any difference.

Common garage problems and how to fix them

1. The garage door no longer closes completely

This kind of problem is common. You will have no problem in opening your garage doors but when closing, the doors will get stuck on their way down. In this situation, the first thing to check is the safety sensor. Make sure there is nothing blocking their line-of-sight.

If there is, removing the obstacle will resolve the issue. Your rollers could be rusty. You can lubricate them or change them completely for smoother movement. You may also need to reset the close limit switch. When the setting is incorrect, it can prevent the doors from closing completely.

2. The garage door does not open completely

This is another common problem of garage door opener. The door can be opening partially without getting to the very top.

The solutions to the problem are the same as the solutions to the problem mentioned above because both of them are usually caused by the same issues. Check the safety sensors, the rollers, and the limit switch.

3. The remote is no longer working

First of all, the remote won’t work if you are out of range so you need to confirm if you are within range. Check if the wall switch works. If the wall switch is able to control the garage doors, it probably means there is an issue with the remote.

It could be that its batteries are dead. Try to replace the batteries. If the issue isn’t resolved, you need to replace the remote completely. One more thing – ensure the antenna on the motor is well positioned as wrong positioning could also make the remote malfunction.

4. Inability to open in winter

The cold days of winter can sometimes affect garage door openers. If your garage door refuses to open in winter, you may need to lubricate it. If that does not make it work, try and adjust the opener’s sensitivity. This should help.

5. Motor still runs after the door is closed

This is not as common as the rest. The cause of this problem is usually the up-limit switch. This happens if it is not set at the right distance from the motor. So, you may need to reset the distance. You could move it further away.

6. The door gets hooked while opening or closing

When this happens, you need to check that the rollers are not rusty or damaged. You should also ensure that the tracks are free of debris and properly aligned.

After cleaning the tracks and ensuring that they are well-aligned, if the problem still persists, you may have to lubricate the rollers and if this does not resolve the issue, change the rollers completely.

7. The wall switch does not work anymore

If this occurs to you, check the power supply first. Check the fuses, breaker, or GFCI to be sure they are all fine. If any of them has tripped, broken, or burnt out, replace it.

If this does not solve the problem, the issue may be in the motor. You may have to replace it.

Final Verdict

Now that you have learnt a few things on how to fix a garage door opener, you also need to bear a few things in mind. You can’t possibly fix all problems.

If you are not able to find what the problem is, hire a professional. Don’t switch to trial and error as you may damage other components and make the problem worse.

Finally, get your garage door opener installed by a professional who will give you a guarantee.