There are four main reasons why remote controls and garage door openers may only work from close range or suddenly lost range. Read on to discover the causes and solutions.
1. Frequency Interference
One of the most common causes for issues with openers, remotes, and keypads only working up close or not working from outside the garage is frequency interference (RFI). Frequency interference occurs when an electric device in the area emits electromagnetic noise that prevents the opener from receiving the remote’s signal.
A clear indication of interference is when all your remotes, keypads, and cars suddenly lose range simultaneously. The interference could originate from any electric device that you’ve owned and used for years, which has just started causing interference due to recent voltage spikes or surges.
The first step in trying to fix range problems caused by interference is to remove LED lightbulbs in your garage or near the garage, as some LED bulbs might interfere with the opener’s signal. Remove the lightbulbs, then test the garage door opener from outside the garage.
Proceed to identify and eliminate the interference source by unplugging electrical devices in your household one by one, testing the remote after each one.
If the garage or building where the opener is installed has steel or metal beams, installing an antenna extension or receiver kit near the garage door might solve the problem. If none of the basic solutions work, you may need to change the frequency of the garage door opener or use a smart garage door opener through your home’s Wi-Fi network.
2. Depleted Opener Remote Battery
A weak power source may result in a weakened signal from the remote. Replace the remote battery and check if the range has improved.
3. Defective Opener Remote Control
A defective transmitter or circuit in your remote control can cause issues with range and intermittent operation. Try replacing the remote or keypad with a new one. Before you make the purchase, ensure that the new remote device is compatible with your existing garage door opener model.
4. Defective Receiver
A defective receiver or antenna component inside the garage door opener can also cause the opener remotes to only work from close range, although it’s not very common. Most garage door openers have their receivers and antennas integrated within the main control board. You can find out which is the right control board or receiver for your opener unit by contacting a certified garage door dealer in your area or your opener’s manufacturer. Replace the receiver board and test the opener’s range.
Power Cycling Your Garage Door Opener Unit
Unplugging and then plugging back in the garage door opener will reset its components and could potentially fix temporary software glitches, connectivity issues, and range problems. Unplug the opener from the outlet, then press and hold the hardwired wall button for about 30 seconds to make sure all power is depleted. Plug the opener back to the outlet and test the range. If your door opener is equipped with a backup battery, you’ll need to disconnect the battery to power cycle the unit.
Can clearing the opener’s memory and signatures fix range problems? No, resetting the opener by pressing and holding the learn button won’t do anything except clear the memory of remote controls, keypads and cars.
Recently changed the light bulb. After reading article I removed new LED bulb and remote works perfectly. You said most LEDs don’t cause interference, but apparently some do.
I found your article very helpful, thank you so much.
Max Welder
Very helpful article! Thank you so much!
I also replaced my LED bulbs and now all my remotes work again.
Very thankful for the in-depth troubleshooting advice. I’m going to work on the “solution” now.
I tried everything short of getting a extended anteana. Nothing worked. I noticed the door was letting a little air in and while i had the ladder out I used the screws on the side of the lift to adjust the door. After that the range returned back to what it was 23 years earlier.
My door opener has worked for many years but now it just dose not want to open from outside till right by the door put new battery in makes no difference So what di I do now
Hello Elizabeth, please read through this article as it provides multiple solutions for how to go about fixing frequency interference problems with garage door openers.
My fob only works from left or right of the door outside not head on. It work perfectly in the garage
I have a remote that is built into the car. It works if the car is in the garage or the door is open but it does not work when the car is outside the garage and the garage door is closed. It had been working before and, to my knowledge, nothing has been changed with the exception of LED bulbs being put in the lights on the outside of the garage door. Could that be the problem? The problem exists even during the day when the lights are not on. Liftmaster opener.
Hello Harold, you can try removing the LED lights to see if the garage door will open. Note that any electrical device can interfere with the frequency. It can be a new device or an existing one that is experiencing issues. Even a brief circuit overload can start causing problems, with appliances interfering with your garage door frequency.
I have two chamberlain lift master professional formula I in my garage. Both worked fine last night and now today won’t work work any of the remotes including the built in one in wife’s car. Nothing changed from overnight.
If I hold the remote right by the opener it works but still not great
Yes we have led bulbs in the openers and rest of garage but have for many months without a problem. I did take them out of the openers and no change
Any suggestions
Hello Jamie, it seems like you’re facing frequency interference problems. The source could be an electrical device belonging to a neighbor or an existing device in your household that just recently experienced a circuit overload and started causing issues. Consider updating the opener’s frequency or replacing it altogether.
Thanks for the reply
It gets crazier
Both doors worked perfectly fine today.
Could the solar storm have caused it?
Natural phenomena, such as atmospheric conditions or electromagnetic interference from lightning, could potentially cause range and interference problems with the garage door opener remote.
Had a range issue with both my built in opener in my vehicle and my portable opener but only when the garage door was open. When the garage door was closed I had no issues with either remote system. After reading this article I realized the only difference I had was that when the door opens, the light turns on. I checked the light and sure enough, it was an LED. I changed it out with a different brand of bulb (was also LED but without the large control base at the bottom) and I am now able to open and close the garage door from a long range again.
I have 2 garage doors and both opener failed yesterday. I have three remotes, one HomeLink and two keypads that failed. The door switches still work. In have tried everything: batteries, light bulbs, reprogram, etc. The remotes only work if I stand directly under the opener, an inch away. If I move the remotes just a little, they will not work. I have not changed anything in my house…
Hello Garry, if both garage doors and all remotes have failed simultaneously, it’s likely a frequency interference problem. You’ll need to proceed with the troubleshooting steps outlined here (How to Fix Garage Door Frequency Interference) or update the openers’ frequency.