Garage door openers make use of advanced technology for a convenient opening. Before you use one, you must be familiar with how to program it. Most garage doors will have DIP switches that can be confusing to configure. Read this post for an easy guide to follow.
To program a garage door opener with DIP switches, follow these steps:
- Check the switch sequence of the door opener remote.
- Press the programming button of the remote and reset to the default settings.
- Set the new codes using a screwdriver to push the switch up or down.
Besides programming, you must know how to reset the remote. There can be issues you might encounter in the future that a reset can solve. Read further to learn how you configure your garage door opener.
Programming A Garage Door Opener
Your modern home is functional with a remote-controlled garage door opener. With a push of a button, you don't need to go out of your car and put in extra work to open the garage door. Although the technology minimizes your hassle, configuring the opener can be a challenge.
Old-generation garage door openers have DIP (dual in-line package) switches that will transmit signals to a remote. Garage door openers manufactured before 1993 have the feature. You will see a series of 8-12 small switches in the circuit board of the garage door opener motor head and the remote.
The switches are electromechanical. That means the user should manually trigger an actuator (in this case, a remote) to activate or deactivate the circuit.
The switches are vital for the operation of the garage door. You need to match the codes of a new remote opener and the existing motor, so they will work together. Learn the process of programming the opener below:
- Check the sequence of the dip switch of both the motor head and remote. Follow the code of the door motor and replicate it to the remote.
- With a flathead screwdriver, move the switches to the right positions. The positions can either be UP, MIDDLE, or DOWN.
- Once done, press the button on the remote. Then test if the door responds. If there is more than one button, you can assign it to the most convenient button.
Programming A Universal Remote
If you have a universal remote, here are the steps:
- Enter LEARN mode by pressing down button number 1.
- While pressing the button, press button #4 for four times.
- Release both buttons. Then, the LED light will blink 4 times.
The process can differ for the remote brands, so refer to the product manuals for the instructions to follow.
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How To Reset The DIP Switch Of A Garage Door Opener?
Besides programming, it will also be helpful to learn how you reset the door opener. Like other devices, mechanisms can fail because of age, improper usage, and programming.
If the configurations of the switches match but the door opener does not work, you can reset the remote with the DIP switch. Here are the steps for the reset:
- Raise the switch 1.
- Then turn the unit OFF and ON.
- Afterward, repeat lowering and raising switch 1 for three times.
Resetting Garage Door Opener Remote
Another way is to reset using the remote buttons. Below is the procedure:
- Find the LEARN or HOME button on the remote adjacent to the antenna. You will see an LED light next to it.
- Press the button until the LED light is off. The bulb inside of the unit will flash after the reset.
Using the rolling code technology, the LEARN button erases the previous code in standard door openers. In that case, the remote generates a new code after every use so that no intruders can decode it.
How To Sync The Garage Door Opener With Your Car
Your car's linking system should be in sync when you open the garage door. This means that the door should open when you press the button on the remote control. Most garage door opener brands have the same process for syncing. You can refer to the product manuals to be sure.
Here are the steps to do:
- The first thing to do is to find a remote compatible with your garage door if you don't have one. Most garage door opener kits include a remote.
- Once you have the remote, position the remote near the garage door. Also, place a ladder near the door.
- Locate the LEARN button on the remote. You can usually find the button by removing the cover on the remote's right side.
- Press the button and release when you see the light in the opener blink. This step programs the remote.
- Then, test if the garage door opens.
Repeat steps number 4-5 until the garage door successfully opens.
Problems With Garage Door Openers
There will be a time that the garage door opener will fail. You should know how to troubleshoot the simple issues you encounter. Read below the problems and the appropriate solutions.
1. Locked Garage Door
If you use a remote to unlock the garage door, here are some issues that you can experience:
- Manual locking using a wall switch
- Garage door motor unplugged
- Tripped circuit breaker
- Defective motor
The solutions available are the following:
- Unlock the door manually.
- Plug back the motor. If the door does not work, check the connections supplying the power.
- Reset the circuit breaker by switching it on and off.
- If the opener has a defective motor, you need a replacement.
2. Unresponsive To the Remote
Sometimes the door is fine, but it isn't responding to the remote. The easy solutions are as follows:
- Move closer to the door and check if the opener responds.
- Check if there are no obstructions on the sensors and the remote.
- Replace weak or dead remote batteries.
- If the batteries are new and the problem persists, reset and reprogram the remote.
- If the remote is working fine, inspect if the door opener motor works fine and has power.
3. Malfunctioned Limit Switch
The limit switch stops the garage door movement once it reaches the closed or open position. A garage door will have two limit switches, and you will find these on the door tracks.
The garage door opener motor can run, but it may not unlock the door. If that happens, you need to move the up-limit switch away from the door opener motor. If the solution does not work, call a garage door professional for help.
4. Garage Door Does Not Completely Open Or Close
This problem relates to the limit switch. You can adjust the limit switch, so the garage door opens and closes properly. Below are the steps to adjust the closing position:
- Close your garage door using a remote or manually.
- Check where it stops. Then, measure the distance of the gap between the bottom of the door and the ground.
- With a screwdriver, turn the adjustment screw on the door opener side. Turn it counterclockwise. A full turn is 3 inches, so you calculate how many turns to make. (i.e. 6 inches / 3 = 2 turns)
Adjusting for the opening is similar to the process above. However, you need to reach the upper limit track with a ladder. Refer to the product manual for more guidance on how to adjust the limit switch.
5. Defective Garage Door Opener
The problem can be the garage door opener itself. If your garage door opener is old and worn, you can replace it with a more advanced opener.
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You can refer to the manuals on how to install the opener or let a professional do it for you.
If you are unable to fix the issues, ask a trusted garage door opener manufacturer or technician to help you with the issues.
In Summary
A garage door opener can have DIP switches that need programming to work. These switches are in the remote and the motor of the opener.
Programming is easy by matching the code sequence of the motor and the remote. Besides programming, you can also reset it to get the right switch sequence and function.
With a working garage door, parking your car at home will be hassle-free.
Learn more about garage doors from these posts:
How To Fill Gaps Above The Garage Door [Quickly and Easily]
How To Open Garage Door Manually From Outside?
