Garage door remotes are radio transmitters that operate on RF or radio frequencies, sending a signal to
the garage door opener receiver to open or close the garage door. Garage door openers in the past
operated on the 390MHz but most newer garage door openers operate on 315MHz. The change in
frequencies resulted in part because the military operates on the 390MHz.
Interference with the radio frequency can and does occur with garage door opener remotes, causing the
remotes to have very limited range or not to work at all. Garage door remotes do not put out a strong
signal to start with and in some cases it is simply a weak battery, replacing the batteries in the remote
will in some cases solve the issue.
There are many household items that can cause interference to occur including fluorescent light bulbs,
wireless telephones, computers and almost any other appliance can under certain circumstances cause
interference with garage door remotes. Further adding to the problem is that it could be an appliance or
electronic device from a neighbor’s house causing the interference. Trouble shooting can be a difficult
task and may not result in an answer. I have known people who have methodically turned off one
electric breaker at a time to try and locate the source of the interference. In some cases this can help
narrow down the source of the interference. Another issue is the problem can come and go randomly
making it difficult to track.
There is no simple solution that is guaranteed to work. Sometimes solving the problem is a simple as
clearing out the receiver memory and reprogramming the remotes. Sometimes you can order a new
logic board and remotes for your opener or wire in a new external receiver with new remotes to solve
the problem. Other times you may have to replace the entire garage door opener with a new one.
Unfortunately, there are times that none of these resolve the issue. With technology changing daily and
people relying more on wireless devices these issues may get worse and require different technology for
garage door openers and remotes to work more reliably.
