“Help! My garage door doesn’t open using a code. What should I do?”
But can you manually open it from the inside?
If yes, then your garage door keypad must be faulty.
Many things cause it to malfunction.
Especially that it’s usually located outdoors, where it’s more prone to damage.
Lucky for you, troubleshooting an unresponsive garage door keypad is easy and simple.
Save time and money by fixing it yourself!
Continue reading to discover:
- How to reprogram a garage door keypad.
- Steps on resetting a garage door keypad.
- 10 causes of garage door keypad not working.
- 10 easy ways to troubleshoot an unresponsive keypad.
- And much much more…
Why is my garage door keypad not working?
Your garage door keypad is not working because you’ve entered an invalid PIN, and it’s running out of batteries. It will also malfunction once its buttons, wirings, or motherboard get damaged in any way. System glitches and connectivity issues also cause garage door keypads to become unresponsive.
Garage door keypad not working – 10 causes & fixes
#1: Expired or wrong PIN
Entering the wrong PIN is a common mistake.
Making it the most common cause of a garage door keypad not working.
It often happens in households that use several PINs in one keypad.
Since the keypad only uses digits, users can easily forget the code. Or mix it up with the alternative codes.
Speaking of that, some garage door keypads allow users to program temporary PIN codes.
It’s used to give one-time or temporary access to guests or house service personnel.
So, if your keypad seems unresponsive, it might be because you’re entering an already expired PIN.
How to fix it:
If you’ve entered an expired or wrong PIN, avoid trying to guess codes. As this can cause your garage door keypad to lock out.
Instead, try to contact a family member to ask for the correct PIN.
Tip: To prevent such scenarios from happening, write down your PIN code on your phone.
“But I don’t have anyone living with me…”
If that’s the case, your next option is to reprogram your garage door keypad.
Reprogramming or resetting your keypad depends on the brand you have.
So, make sure to refer to your manufacturer’s user manual on how to reprogram your device.
But to give you an idea here’s how to reprogram a garage door keypad:
- Press and hold the asterisk (*) and pound (#) buttons.
- Press the “learn” button on the garage door opener.
- Enter a new 4-digit PIN.
- Press “Enter.”
- Then, press “0” to end the reprogramming process.
Need actual video instruction on how to do it? Then, watch this video!
#2: Low battery
If the PIN code is not the issue, perhaps your keypad batteries are running low.
Most garage door keypads are wireless.
So, they use disposable or rechargeable batteries to power on.
Once the battery dries out, your garage door keypad may become unresponsive. And stop recognizing PIN codes.
As a result, you won’t be able to use your keypad to open your garage door.
Your garage door keypad has low batteries if the:
- Remote doesn’t work as well.
- Buttons don’t light up or beep when pressed.
- Keypad doesn’t register the PIN you’re entering.
How to fix it:
If your garage door keypad shows any signs of low power, replace its battery immediately.
Most device models don’t require that you remove it from its mount.
You just have to slide out or unscrew its battery compartment cover below the buttons.
Older models usually use 12-volt batteries, while new models use 9-volt ones.
Tip: Use a lithium battery, as this type of battery handles cold weather better.
You might also want to check out: How Do You Open a Kwikset Lock With a Dead Battery? 4 Ways
#3: Dirty button contacts
“Okay, I’ve already replaced the battery. But why it still doesn’t work?”
Since when did you start using your garage door keypad?
If it’s more than a year, then it must be because the button contacts of your keypad are clogged with dust and dirt.
Since the device is located outdoors, it collects more dirt than the devices you use indoors.
Some of this dirt enters the device and gets stuck between the buttons and button contacts.
When there’s too much dirt in this area, the buttons may have difficulty “touching” the contacts.
And so, your keypad won’t be able to successfully register your PIN.
How to fix it:
To resolve the problem, open your keypad and remove the buttons to clean them.
You’d need to unscrew your device and disassemble some of its parts.
So, make sure to work on a table or any flat surface area.
Remove the buttons from the case.
Use a microfiber cloth or compressed-air spray to clean the buttons and contacts.
Wipe them gently to avoid scratches and further damages.
#4: Worn out buttons
If your garage door keypad still doesn’t work after cleaning, then the buttons must be worn out.
Old age causes the keypad buttons to be worn out.
But there’s one more thing that can cause it to happen.
And it’s the excessive use of a couple of buttons.
Do you use only one PIN code to open your garage door?
Or do you have a few favorite numbers to use?
If yes, then that’s what caused your keypad buttons to easily wear out.
If you’re using the same buttons for months, it’s easier for the buttons to get damaged due to wear and tear.
As a result, you won’t be able to use a PIN code to open your garage door.
Consider your keypad buttons as worn out if:
- Some buttons seem loose.
- The number labels are erased.
- You don’t feel a “click” after pressing one.
How to fix it:
If your keypad buttons are worn out, get a replacement.
But then, there are not many keypad button replacements sold in the market.
So, your best option is to replace your whole device.
“Is there some temporary solution I can do?”
If you can’t get a replacement ASAP, program a new PIN code.
You can do that by resetting your device and creating a new one.
Make sure that you don’t use the damaged buttons when registering a new PIN.
#5: Frayed wirings
Sometimes, frayed wirings can also be the issue on why your garage door keypad isn’t working.
“What causes it to happen?”
Well, most of the time, frayed wirings are caused by overheating or short circuits.
Since your device is placed outdoors, it absorbs more heat and humidity.
Which are both bad for your device. As it can cause the keypad’s circuit board and motherboard to get damaged.
How to fix it:
First, open your keypad by unscrewing its back panel.
Then, check if there are any disconnected or exposed wires.
Also, see if there are burnt areas or damaged pathways on the motherboard.
If you notice some, better bring your device to the nearest service center.
As fixing a damaged circuit board or motherboard can be tricky for non-professionals.
“My device has a warranty. Can I call for a replacement?”
First, review your user manual.
Manufacturers only accept replacement requests for certain “factory” damages.
Any damage caused by external factors or wrong usage voids the warranty.
#6: Exposure to changing outdoor conditions
Like any other device, garage door keypads are sensitive and can easily get damaged.
And the keypad being outdoors doesn’t help at all.
Your keypad has a whole system inside of it.
It has at least a circuit board and motherboard, which are very fragile.
For once, these parts aren’t supposed to be exposed to too much heat.
As some of their components can overheat and cause short circuits.
Humidity, rain, and cold also cause the same problem.
Once its system gets damaged by these, your keypad can fail to follow commands.
How to fix it:
Well, external factors are not something you can control to prevent damage to your device.
Your best solution for this is to ensure that your garage door keypad is protected from such factors.
One thing you can do is to place your keypad in a shaded area.
Or you can customize a box cover to prevent your device from getting rained on or absorbing too much heat.
If you think that your device is no longer functional, get a replacement immediately.
You may also wonder: Are smart locks worth it?
#7: Incompatible keypad
“I bought a replacement for my garage door keypad. But it doesn’t work!”
Did you get a replacement from the same manufacturer?
Or did you buy a universal one?
Well, universal keypads are supposed to work with any model.
But some brands have custom settings that can only work with their own products.
And that may have caused your brand-new keypad not to work.
How to fix it:
If your keypad is incompatible with your garage door, you have to get a different replacement.
But this time, make sure that it’s from the same manufacturer.
You can still try some universal ones. But it may cost you so much time and effort.
#8: Out-of-range device
“I moved my keypad on my balcony so that it wouldn’t get rained on. But now, it stopped working.”
Well, props to you for ensuring that your keypad is well-protected.
But then, a garage door keypad uses radio signals to work.
And many things can interfere with the connection it has, including:
- Walls.
- Humans.
- Large objects
- Other radio signals.
When the keypad is too far away from your garage door, it may become unresponsive. As it receives little to no signals.
According to one study, electromagnetic waves travel faster in free space.
And you can achieve that “free space” by moving your keypad closer to your garage door.
How to fix it:
To allow your garage door keypad to work flawlessly, move it closer to your garage door.
Make sure that it’s within 30-50 ft (9.14-15.24 m).
Placing it on the wall next to your garage door is the best location.
If you’re worried about it getting rained on, install a shade or hood above it.
Further reading: Does a Wi-Fi Repeater Slow Down Internet? The Harsh Truth
#9: System glitches
“I see no problem with its battery, buttons, or range…”
If you can’t open your garage door using a PIN, perhaps the keypad system has some glitches.
When that happens, your keypad can fail to register your PIN code. Or even power on.
System glitches are normal. It happens to many devices.
So, you don’t have to worry that much.
Sure, it can be a nuisance, but it’s fixable.
How to fix it:
If you think your garage door keypad has some glitches, reboot it.
Rebooting or soft resetting refreshes your keypad’s system.
Plus, it removes temporary memory data (RAM). And that includes any generic bugs that it may have.
To reboot a garage door keypad:
- Open the battery compartment cover.
- Remove the battery.
- Wait for at least 30 seconds.
- Then, reinsert the battery and return the cover.
If this doesn’t work, you may have to perform a reprogramming process.
Warning: Reprogramming the keypad may remove the pairing with your remote. And that depends on the brand you’re using.
To reprogram your garage door keypad, refer to your user manual.
#10: Surface interference
The last possible reason for a garage door keypad that isn’t working is surface interference.
According to one research, certain construction materials can interfere with electromagnetic waves.
Materials like metal, wood, and concrete can cause signals to weaken.
In the case of garage door keypads, metal is what mostly causes the interference.
Perhaps your keypad is mounted to a metal wall.
If that’s the case, your keypad may be having difficulty sending signals due to interference.
Making it appear unresponsive or broken.
How to fix it:
Of course, you don’t have to change your whole garage to solve this particular problem.
As it costs a lot of money, time, and effort.
The best thing you can do to prevent surface interference is to use an insulating material.
It can be a wood, rubber, or plastic buffer.
Try placing any of these between your garage door keypad and garage wall.
After installing it, try entering a PIN to the keypad to see if it improves anything.
If not, you should mount your keypad on another wall.
Just make sure that it’s within a good range.