How to Program Your Garage Door Opener Remote

The Process Is Easier Than You Think

Who knew a small plastic box with a couple of buttons could affect our lives so much?

We’re talking about the power a garage door opener remote holds over us.

It helps us keep our vehicles safe in the garage. It lets us open our garage doors, nearly hands-free, while we wrestle the lawn mower out to our lawns. It keeps our home and belongings safe.

But what happens when you need a spare remote for the house-sitter, a long-term guest, a new roommate, or a newly minted young driver?

In those cases, don’t hand over your precious remote. Program a new one for them!  Here’s how it’s done.

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Programming a Remote Is the Easiest Garage Door Opener “Repair”

Even if you aren’t a fan of technology, you can program your garage door opener remote, whether it’s brand new, it’s old one that needs to be reset, or a universal remote.  Take a deep breath, and let’s get started.

Step One: Make Sure Your New Garage Door Opener Remote Is Compatible With Your Operator

Check the name brand of your operator, which is usually mounted near the ceiling of your garage. Three common brands are Chamberlain, LiftMaster, or Craftsman.

Because Chamberlain also makes the other two brands, some Chamberlain-branded remotes will work with all three. A universal remote – an aftermarket product – may work with all three as well.

Step Two: Grab a Ladder and Put Your Operator Into Programming Mode

Most garage door operators have a button to switch it into programming mode. To reach it, you’ll need to set up a ladder and climb it carefully. Grab a buddy to help keep your ladder stable, and follow safety best practices.

With your operator within reach, look for a button positioned toward the rear of the operator. It may be beneath a plastic cover, so really take a good look. The button may be labeled “Learn,” or “Program.” On most operators, it is right red, green, or yellow.

After you press it, you might hear a beep or click, or see a small, blinking LED light.

Don’t see a button? Skip to the DIP switch instructions by scrolling down on this page.

Step Three: Let Your Garage Door Opener Remote Do the Talking

If you’re using a brand-name remote, press the button on it. If your remote and opener are compatible, you’ll hear another beep or click, or the overhead light on the operator will flash. You should now have a working garage door remote!

If you’re using a universal remote, read the instructions that came with it. You may need to press the remote button a different number of times, depending on the make and model you have.

Step Four: Test Your Newly Programmed Remote

Make sure your remote opens and closes your garage door. Press the button on the remote to open the garage door. Wait a few minutes, and press the button again to close it.

Step Five: Program Additional Garage Door Opener Remotes

If you are planning to program multiple garage door opener remotes, repeat steps one through four. We recommend waiting a few minutes between programming remotes, and stowing previously programmed remotes out of range from your opener while you program new ones.

Programming Remotes For Garage Door Openers With a DIP Switch

Garage door openers made before 1995 likely have a DIP switch. DIP stands for dual in-line package.” In most applications, it is used to control the behavior of an electronic device, such as your operator.

The DIP switch on your operator is about the length of your thumb with eight to 12 tiny switches along it. Follow these steps to program your remote.

1. After locating the DIP switch on the operator, use a small object, like a paper clip or tiny screwdriver, to set the DIP switch to any sequence you like. 

2. Locate the DIP switch on your remote.3. Use your small tool to set the switch to the same sequence you used on the garage door opener.

My Garage Door Won’t Open With My Remote. Now What?

If you’ve successfully programmed a remote, or if you’ve tested your old remote, and your garage door won’t open, try:

• Checking that the power is on to your operator. You may need to flip a breaker in your home’s electrical panel.
• Replacing the battery in your handheld remote.

If these don’t solve your problem, call a trusted garage door opener repair technician, who will troubleshoot the problem and get your garage door opening and closing again.