Garage door remote — short range? check the opener antenna wire

Garage remote

Garage door remote only works up close? Check the antenna wire hanging from the opener motor. Let it hang straight down, free of metal, for better range.

Garage door remote: short range? check the opener antenna wire (related household photo)
Photo: Oleg Alexandrov 21:31, 9 February 2008 (UTC) / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Most garage door openers have a thin antenna wire hanging from the motor unit. If it is tucked up, wrapped, or touching metal, the garage door remote may only work a few feet away.

Check the garage opener antenna wire for remote range

  1. Find the short wire hanging from the opener motor on the ceiling.
  2. Use a step stool safely and let the wire hang straight down.
  3. Keep it away from metal rails, ducts, and shelves.
  4. Test the remote from the end of the driveway.

If range stays short, try a fresh remote battery next.

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