The Button On The Wall Works, But The Remote Control Won't Work

A remote control uses batteries to send wireless signals, so a dead battery may cause it to fail even though the door control works.

Your garage door opener is equipped with an integrated receiver logic board that receives a signal from for your hand-held remote controls wirelessly, whereas your wall-mounted door control panel is hard-wired. The hand-held remote controls and wired door control operate independently, so it is not uncommon for one device to work while the other does not. If all remotes are working intermittently, or stop working there may be interference.

There are a few reasons for your remote control not to work:

• The LOCK button is ON
• The battery is depleted
• The remote control needs to be erased and reprogrammed
• There's a short in the door control, door control wire or receiver logic board

The LOCK Button is ON

The Multi-Function Door Control Panel includes a LOCK button. With this feature, the indicator light behind the push bar will flash when the lock switch is turned ON and when you press the remote control the light bulb on the opener will flash two times. With the LOCK button activated, the receiver logic board will NOT accept signals from the remote control. The door will, however, open and close by activating the push bar, key switch or keypad.

To deactivate this feature:

1. Check for a blinking light on the multi-function door control panel. If the light is blinking, push the LOCK button to turn off the lock feature:
2. Press and hold the LOCK button for 2 seconds, then the LED will glow solid indicating the lock feature has been deactivated.
3. If you wish to reactivate the lock feature, press and hold the LOCK button again for 2 seconds.

The Battery is Depleted

Replace the battery. Most remote controls use a 3-volt lithium battery (3V CR2032). Some of the older remote controls use a 12-volt battery. Sometimes, when the battery is replaced, you may need to reprogram the remote control. See How To Remove And Replace The Battery In My Chamberlain Remote Control, or How To Remove And Replace The Battery In The KLIK Series Remote Controls.

The Remote Control Needs to be Erased and Reprogrammed

It is also possible for the remote control to lose communication with the garage door opener. If this occurs the remote control will have to be reprogrammed to the garage door opener. See How To Remove And Replace The Battery In My Chamberlain Remote Control, or How To Remove And Replace The Battery In The KLIK Series Remote Controls.

1. Clear the memory of the opener. Press and hold the learn button until the LED light turns off (approximately 6 seconds). See How To Find The LEARN Button.
2. Reprogram the remote controls.
3. Reprogram the keypad. See How To Program Or Change The PIN For Keypad Models 940EV And 877MAX.

If a remote control or keyless entry still will not program:

1. Do not press the LEARN button.
2. Press and hold the remote control button or enter a random PIN on the keypad and hold ENTER.
3. While holding the ENTER button, watch the LED light next to the LEARN button.
4. If it is blinking, it is sending a signal. Press and release the LEARN button and it should program.
5. If it is not blinking, the radio control is not sending a signal. Check for compatibility, a good battery and then replace.

There's a Short in the Door Control, Door Control Wire or Receiver Logic Board

Since the door control is hard wired into the logic board it can lock out the remote controls internally. In order to determine if that is the case do the following troubleshooting steps.

1. Unplug the opener from the outlet. If there is a back-up battery, disconnect the battery.
2. Remove the two wires for the door control from the motor unit. They are located in the red and 1st white terminal or the #1 and #2 screw terminals.
3. Plug the opener back in.
4. Clear the memory of the opener. Press and hold the learn button for six seconds. See How To Erase Remote Control And Keypad Access.
5. Reprogram the remote controls.
   • If the remote controls will not program, you will need to replace the logic board. 
   • If you only have one remote control, replace the remote control first.
6. Unplug the opener and reconnect the wires to the red and white terminals or #1 and #2 screw terminals.
7. Go to the door control, take the door control off the wall by popping off the push button. There is a screw under the push button that holds the door control on the wall. Remove the wires from the back of the door control.
8. Test the remote controls.
   • If remote controls do not work, then replace the wire.
   • If remote controls work, reconnect the wires to door control and test.
   • If remote controls continue to work, then there was a loose connection with the wires.
   • If remote controls do not work, replace the door control.