5 Ways to Fix a Garage Remote That’s Not Working

5 Ways to Fix a Garage Remote That's Not Working

If your garage remote is not working, you can be locked out of your garage or your car may be stuck inside. Some remote control problems are easy to fix. However, others require the repair or replacement of the device. There are many reasons a garage door remote can stop working. We’ll look at some of the most common issues and your options for addressing them.

Before you try to fix a malfunctioning garage door remote, it helps to understand how it works. The device is a transmitter that uses a 350 to 390 megahertz signal. This signal is transmitted when you press the button. It’s encoded with a unique number your garage door system can recognize, so it responds when you want it to open or close.

Here’s what you can do if your garage remote is not working:

1. Change the Battery

A depleted battery is one of the most common garage door remote issues. It’s also the most straightforward to fix. First, try to operate the door via the wall-mounted control panel. If it works, then replace the battery in the remote. It’s usually a 3-volt lithium battery but an older model may use a 12-volt battery. 

To change the battery, open the panel in the back of the remote (or follow the manufacturer’s instructions). You should see the old battery. Remove it and insert a fresh battery of the same type and brand. Generally, garage door remote batteries last about two years.

2. Move Within Range of the Receiver

Another reason your garage remote is not working is it’s out of range. To solve this problem, step closer to the garage door. Most garage remotes have a range of 20 feet. Any farther than that and the signal might not reach the receiver. Once you move the transmitter closer and press the button, your garage door should open.

Also, make sure nothing is blocking the path of the signal. An obstruction may have to be removed but you must have a direct line of sight between the transmitter and receiver. If the remote still doesn’t operate the garage door, an issue such as a broken antenna must be fixed by a professional.

3. Disengage the Lock Function on the Control Panel

If the lock button on the control panel is pressed, the garage door won’t respond to commands from the remote. A blinking light on the panel may mean the lock function is engaged. To turn it off, press and hold the “Lock” button, and then try the remote again. The issue is solved if the door moves up or down. You can also try the controls on the wall panel to ensure it’s working properly.

4. Reset the Remote

The remote is set at a frequency unique to your garage door opener system. If it loses this setting, the remote can’t signal the door to open. To reset the remote, locate the “Learn” button on the main control panel. Hold it down for 30 seconds or until the LED light goes off, and then press the “Learn” button on the remote for three seconds. An LED light on the garage door opener may flash to indicate the system has been reset; now you can try opening the door with the remote again.

5. Call a Garage Door Repair Professional

There are some problems you can’t fix yourself. Call a repair company if none of the above solutions work. The following issues may be why your garage remote is not working:

  • Physical Damage: Your garage remote must be replaced if it’s physically damaged. A cracked casing is obvious, while internal corrosion, moisture, or wear and tear may be less obvious. Contact a local garage door repair company for a new remote of the same model. To protect the unit, store it where it’s unlikely to fall, get stepped on, or be exposed to rain or extreme weather conditions.
  • Control Wire: Older wiring may have deteriorated or a wire may have been damaged by a power surge. If your garage door stops working, check the wires near the control panel or opener. Call for help if they appear damaged.
  • Door Control: Damage to the door control mechanism can prevent the system from responding to any signals from the remote. Contact a repair company if you’ve tried to get the remote working again but are unsuccessful. 
  • Receiver Board: A power surge can damage the receiver’s circuit board or wiring. To check for a circuit board malfunction, a professional disconnects the wires to the panel and motor, reconnects them, and clears the opener’s memory. Then the remote control is reprogrammed and the opener is unplugged and reconnected. Lastly, they’ll test the door to ensure it’s working.

Call Mesa Garage Doors If Your Garage Remote Is Not Working

Whether your detached garage door is stuck closed or an attached garage door stays open no matter what, we can find the underlying problem and repair it. Our team is available 24/7. If you’re unable to fix a garage remote that’s not working, contact us to troubleshoot it, provide a free estimate, and make the necessary repairs.

 

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How to Determine the Right Garage Door Size for a Truck

How to Determine the Right Garage Door Size for a Truck

The right garage door size for a truck can differ from a car, depending on the vehicle’s size. A standard-sized door may not accommodate an oversized vehicle, such as a larger-than-average SUV, an RV, or a commercial truck. Trying to fit one through can damage the vehicle and garage door. The size of the door is a factor when determining the cost of garage door installation. We’ll look at standard and custom sizes vs. vehicle types to ensure you get the most out of your investment.

How Big Is a Standard Garage Door?

To help you understand the door size you may need, let’s look at standard garage door sizes. A single-car garage door is usually 7 feet high by 8 or 9 feet wide. Double garage doors are usually around 16 feet wide, whether constructed as a single door or two bays separated by a post or column in the middle.

The configuration matters if you need a larger garage door. The cost of equipment is similar if you choose one double door or two single doors. However, two separate doors will each need a separate garage door opener. A double door needs only one opener and can be more visually appealing. The next question is how big a custom door will you need if you have a larger vehicle.

The Best Garage Door Size for a Truck

Being 7 feet high, standard garage doors can accommodate cars and most SUVs. An SUV is typically 5 feet 5 inches to 6 feet 4 inches high. A pickup truck typically ranges from 6 feet to 6 feet 5 inches in height. It can fit through a 7-foot-high garage door, though you could upgrade to an 8-foot garage door if you feel more comfortable with it.

However, larger trucks have different requirements. The size of the garage door you need depends on the vehicle’s dimensions. To determine the required measurements, consider trucks of the following types:

  • Light-Duty Trucks: Trucks weighing 6,000 to 10,000 pounds, including pick-up trucks and small SUVs, can fit in a standard-size 8-foot-wide by 7-foot-tall garage door. A full-size pickup truck is best accommodated by a 10-foot-wide by 7-foot-tall door.
  • Medium-Duty Trucks: Weighing 10,001 to 26,000 pounds, these generally include vehicles the size of delivery trucks, utility vans, and ambulances. The best garage door sizes for trucks like these are 12 feet wide by 8 feet tall or 14 feet wide by 8 feet tall. 
  • Heavy-Duty Trucks: The largest trucks, including tractor-trailers and construction vehicles, aren’t likely to be parked in a home garage. They typically require a garage door that is 16 feet wide by 8 feet tall or larger.

Custom garage door sizes are available for larger trucks. These can range from 12 to 32 feet wide and 8 to 24 feet tall. The most important aspect of sizing is that the door is large enough for the vehicle to pass safely beneath it and there’s space for the garage door to slide across the ceiling when open.

Different types of garage doors can accommodate trucks. Depending on the location, the following are the most common door types used:

  • Commercial Roll-Up Doors: These are best suited for properties with limited space. They’re durable, lightweight, and can withstand heavy traffic and frequent use.
  • Sectional Garage Doors: Designed to fold up or be hidden overhead, sectional doors provide extra headroom, which benefits warehouses and similar facilities. They’re also insulated to improve energy efficiency.
  • Up and Over Garage Doors: If your garage door must stay open for long periods, these single-panel doors are useful. They’re quick and easy to operate and swing open manually or electrically.

Garage Door Sizes for RVs

You’ll need a bigger door if you plan to store a recreational vehicle or motor home in your garage. Motor homes and RVs vary greatly in size. They are divided into the following classes that might impact how big a garage door you need:

  • Class C: A Class C vehicle usually measures from 10 to 12 feet tall and is built on a modified truck chassis. Aside from accommodating this height, a garage door should be about 8 or 9 feet wide.
  • Class B/B+: Trucks in these classes can range from 7 to 10 feet tall and are also best accommodated by garage doors up to 9 feet wide.
  • Class A: A Class A RV measures between 12 and 14 feet tall and requires a garage door that is at least 10 feet wide. However, a 12-foot-wide door gives you more room to maneuver and park comfortably.

Other Garage Door Considerations

The dimensions of the truck generally determine the size of the garage door you need. However, there are other considerations since a larger garage door is heavier and has different specifications than a standard-sized model. Consider the following factors when determining the right garage door size for a truck:

  • Hardware: For light-duty trucks, choose 14-gauge steel tracks and mounting brackets, a pull rope, and single hinges. A heavy-duty truck requires 13-gauge steel tracks and brackets, a pull chain, or single or double hinges. However, a super heavy-duty truck requires 12 gauge tracks/brackets, a pull chain or chain hoists, single or double hinges, and reinforcement bars.
  • Lift: A garage that houses an RV or other large vehicle has a higher wall. A full vertical lift or high lift track is required to accommodate the larger space. An inclined track should be used for an angled ceiling. If space between the top of the door opening and ceiling is limited, consider using a low front headroom lift.
  • Garage Door Opener: Larger garage doors are heavier, so you’ll need a more powerful garage door opener. To save space, you can choose a wall-mounted opener. Many newer garage door openers can be monitored and operated remotely, so you can always check on your garage.

How you use your garage also helps pick the right garage door size. A larger model may be needed if you store multiple vehicles plus tools and other items inside. Insulation is also a factor to consider, especially with an attached garage. It affects the thickness of the door. For example, steel garage doors have little insulation but are just ⅛ inch thick. A basic insulated door has ¼ to ½ inch foam between steel panels and a well-insulated door can have up to 1½ inches of foam between them.

Contact Mesa Garage Doors

We hope these insights help you choose the right garage door size for your truck. Our tips for garage door replacement can also help you make an informed decision. At Mesa Garage Doors, we have numerous options available as we install many types of garage doors and garage door openers. For more information or assistance from our friendly and knowledgeable representatives, call (714) 415-2657 today.

 

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