Garage door the remote only works up close
This is almost always a weak battery, or the antenna is compromised. Repair costs $0 to $190 and takes 20 to 45 minutes. Safe to operate: Yes.
Check this first — it may cost you nothing
Look at the opener and find the thin wire hanging from the housing — that is the antenna. It should hang straight down and not be coiled or taped up. Then change the remote battery.
Why this happens
Range loss is gradual and almost always the battery losing voltage or the antenna wire being tucked up rather than hanging down. Both are free to check.
Shrinking range is interference or a fading remote battery, not a dying opener. The learn button colour identifies which replacement remotes will pair.
Less likely, but possible
- An LED bulb in the opener causing radio interference, which is common
- A metal door skin or foil insulation blocking the signal
- A weakening receiver board
What happens if I ignore it?
Nothing degrades. Worth knowing that swapping an LED bulb for an incandescent one resolves a surprising share of range complaints at no cost.
The repair: remote and keypad
A garage door remote that stopped working is most often a dead battery or a locked wall panel — both free to fix. Replacement remotes cost $30 to $70, and keypads $50 to $90, with programming taking under ten minutes.
Read the full remote and keypad guide →Get a tech dispatched
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