There’s nothing better than getting home after a long day. Long gone are the summer nights where the sun set late and the world felt full of energy and life. Now it’s dark and cold even before the evening commute has finished, and getting home is more important than ever. But then, you push the garage door opener and…
…nothing.
You try again, still nothing. Shy of pounding the button into oblivion, you just cannot get it to work. But there’s nothing wrong with your door opener remote… worse yet, for some reason, you have to reprogram the garage door opener!
Sure, the story is relatable, but were you distracted by these beautiful doors? These are the North Hatley LP Design, Moka Brown color, with 8-lite Orion windows.
Maybe you purchased a new LiftMaster Chamberlain opener system and have opted to DIY the installation. Perhaps you replaced the computer board and need to reprogram the opener after the repair. Or, there could have even been a power outage or electrical short that caused the door programming to get lost. In any case, here’s how to do it simply and safely.
Do NOT Start This Task if You’re Not Capable
Heed the Warnings with Care…
Before you do a single thing, stop and read this potentially life-saving information. It’s not just for LiftMaster Chamberlain openers, either.
- If you make poor adjustments to the travel limits of the garage door, this could interfere with the safety system that reverses the door in the event of an obstruction.
- If the garage door tracks are dirty, coated in ice, or otherwise require excess force for the door opener system to close the door, it could affect the functioning of the photoelectric safety reversal system.
- In the event that you have an older model door opener system, you should NEVER use forced adjustments to compensate for a stuck or binding door.
- After you’ve reprogrammed the door opener, you NEED TO TEST the safety reversal system to make sure it functions properly.
- Test the door to ensure it opens fully and offers enough clearance for all of your vehicles, including trucks, SUVs, and other vehicles that ride higher off the ground.
If you do not have a functional safety reversal system in place, it is a huge risk to everyone. Small children, especially, can be INJURED or even KILLED by a faulty garage door that closes on them. If you aren’t an experienced handyman or garage door specialist yourself, you should NEVER perform this work. Instead, contact a certified LiftMaster Chamberlain technician in your area right away.
This is the largest moving object in your house. Don’t EVER forget that. It is essentially a WALL that opens and closes. The garage door springs are also under extreme tension and pressure and can cause serious injury or damage if they break or are improperly released. And finally, what do you really know about garage door motors and opener systems?
A certified LiftMaster Chamberlain installer reprogramming a garage door opener.
12 Simple Steps for Programming Your LiftMaster Chamberlain Opener System
- Ensure the door is completely closed but still engaged and that the trolley is resting near the garage door.
- Find the adjustment buttons for your opener. These could be located in any number of places, depending on the model of your Chamberlain or LiftMaster garage door opener. See the images below for more assistance.
- Press the square black button until you either hear a “beep” or the UP arrow starts flashing. This means that you can now set the opener’s OPEN position.
- Use the UP and DOWN arrows to open the garage door fully. This will be the desired OPEN position.
- Press the black square button again and release it. Then, the opener lights should flash twice and the DOWN arrow should also begin flashing. That means the OPEN position is locked in the opener’s memory and you can set the CLOSE position now.
- Using the DOWN arrow, hold the button until the garage door is all the way down.
- Push the black square button again and secure the CLOSE position for your door opener. The lights will flash twice and the UP arrow will begin flashing, which means you can now set its force programming mode.
- Press the UP arrow and then release it. Once the door opens completely, the DOWN arrow will start flashing.
- Push the down arrow, allowing the door to close to its assigned position. Now you’re done with programming.
HELPFUL HINTS
- In the event that the lights flash 5 times at any point, it means the programming mode has timed out and needs to be restarted.
- When the lights flash 10 times while programming your travel on the garage door with MyQ technology, that means the safety reversal sensors are either blocked or out of alignment.
- If you clear or align the safety sensors, make sure that you run a complete up and down cycle using the garage door opener remote. This completes programming.
- The round yellow button is only for programming accessories for your LiftMaster or Chamberlain garage door opener. Don’t attempt to use it for programming the opener itself.
- One more critical step: After making ANY adjustment to your garage door or opener system, you need to test the safety reversal system. Follow the easy steps that US Inspect recommends to do it with a two-by-four or other scrap lumber.
- Using the keypad, remote, or your MyQ app, close the garage door.
- When the door hits the 2x4, it should automatically stop and reverse direction.
Tired of constantly reprogramming your garage door opener? Maybe it’s a good time to consider a replacement!
Maybe it’s not so bad. Perhaps you feel like this is still an expense that you shouldn’t splurge on right now. However, there are 2 valuable additions to technology for garage doors that you need to know about. If your door doesn’t have them, your entire family is at risk. Think we’re being too cautious? Think again.
If your Chamberlain or LiftMaster garage door opener was manufactured before 1993, you must replace the garage door opener. It’s a huge safety hazard to your family because it doesn’t have integrated features like modern openers.
Starting in 1993, all garage door opener systems made in the U.S. and Canada were required to have two safety reversal systems for the protection of users. The first is a photoelectric sensor that can sense obstructions and cause the door to reverse. The second is a pressure sensor that can initiate reversal when the door comes into contact with something while it is closing.
Before these innovations, it was a free-for-all, essentially. Garage doors were as safe as manufacturers said they were, but there was little to stop a kid from getting crushed or even your car from getting damaged. And why should your kids have to worry about their own safety with something like a garage door? With these simple innovations, they don’t have to.
These are important safety systems you MUST HAVE on your Chamberlain/LiftMaster garage door opener system
- Mechanical: As discussed, if the door comes into contact with an object, it will detect resistance and reverse the door.
- Photoelectric: This includes two sensors on either side of the garage door that connect with an electric beam of light. When that light beam is interrupted, the motor will automatically reverse the door, assuming it’s an obstruction that could become damaged or injured.
Kids like to play outside and they shouldn’t even have to think about things like garage door safety. No matter how many times parents repeat themselves, kids are going to be kids. Fortunately, garage doors have photocell safety beams to ensure that when the kids cross the barrier. That way, when the garage door is closing, it will stop in its tracks and change direction. Kids will be safe and you won’t even have to think about it!
Still not convinced an upgrade is the right choice? Find the scoop on photocell safety beams and get the truth about the urban legend about planes opening garage doors – it has happened!
Perhaps your door was manufactured after 1993? You think you’re in the clear and have a little extra cash to spend since you’re not having to fix up the house…
Well, sorry about your extra spending cash, but it’s about time you upgrade anyway because big changes happened in 2012.
This label will be present on your Chamberlain, LiftMaster, or Craftsman garage door opener when it has rolling code technology.
Chamberlain openers started coming with this feature standard in 2012. Security+ 2.0 is a modern technology that generates new security codes each time you open and close the garage using a remote system. That way, intruders can’t just drive around trying to opener doors and get into your home unwittingly.
This works by “rolling” the codes in the remote to one of over 100 billion potential codes, and previous codes will be automatically rejected. Thanks to this technology, the same code can only be used once, which means a stolen remote control is no longer a useful tool for would-be thieves and intruders.
Do you know how to find the model year of your LiftMaster or Chamberlain opener system?
These are the main models from Chamberlain and LiftMaster, including sticker locations and what information each sticker contains.
You’ll find a sticker (hopefully) on your garage door opener that includes important information about the system, including serial and model numbers – you’ll love having those on hand when you call your local garage door specialist.
Look at the MFG Date—this stands for “manufacturing date” and will tell you when your opener system was made.
In the event you’re having trouble with a LiftMaster or Chamberlain model, check out this FAQ for more assistance.
Ok, so NOW is the time to replace your garage door opener. Where do you begin?
Most people don’t know much about garage door openers, or motors at all for that matter. And most homeowners aren’t trying to become garage door experts. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered. Here’s what you need to know.
What if your garage has low ceilings? Perhaps you’ve got storage overhead. Or, what if your garage includes windows above the door?
This elegant, modern garage door in the Vog Design includes windows above it. That’s why a wall-mounted LiftMaster 8500W opener model is required. The residential opener is a Jackshaft-style model that’s designed for space-saving needs, mounting on the wall on either side of the garage door instead of the ceiling. It also comes with a remote light that you can place anywhere in the garage.
What if your attached garage is located near a bedroom or main living area?
(Consider this unique one-car door. It is the Prestige XL Design, Chocolate Walnut color, with Pinhead windows).
This is why you want a door that’s quiet and smooth. Chain-drive garage door openers are no good here. Sure, they’re cheaper, but they’re also much noisier. You need a rubber belt drive system for the quietest operation.
Perhaps you think we’re being a bit dramatic. Who’s going to be dramatic at 2 in the morning when the garage door causes you to wake up from a dead sleep?
For quiet operation and cool tech, consider these two LiftMaster models:
An upgrade to the 8550 model, this garage door opener has a durable rubber belt drive and battery backup standard. Plus, it comes with two-way audio and a built-in camera, so you SEE what happens in your garage. Thanks to the MyQ app, you can see and hear everything, and even TALK TO SOMEONE in your garage from your smartphone.
If that seems like a little too much for a garage door a more basic model might suit your needs. The LiftMaster 84501 offers similar features, but without a battery backup. It’s got the MyQ app too so you can still keep tabs on your door if you desire.
It’s time for The Talk.
Don’t know much about Overhead Doors and Garage Door Openers? Ask the Experts!
A garage door opener isn’t an everyday purchase. In fact, some of us may only ever buy one or two opener systems in our entire lifetime.
Therefore, you want to make sure that you do it right. It’s not like a shirt that you can leave hanging in the closet because you don’t like the way it fits—this is a big investment, and you should consider your choices very carefully before you do anything with your garage door or its opener system.
If you pick a quality door, it can provide style and substance for up to 25 years. Adding a new garage door can also increase resale value, so talk to a local garage door expert today!
Here at Overhead Door (NFLD) Ltd., garage doors and garage door openers are the only business we handle. We’re passionate about garage door systems and have years of expertise. Our team can guide you in the right direction for your style, budget, and more.
Call us today: 709-368-7222!
Already know what you want from a garage door or garage door opener system?
Find out more with a custom quotation by email.
Looking for some online inspiration?
Check out the residential photo gallery. Perhaps you want to see different doors and designs on your own home? Check out the Design Centre with your smartphone. You can create the ideal dream garage door for your home and can even upload a photo to try it on before you commit.
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