We have two garage doors. I know, I know – cool story, bro. But I promise this gets better. Well, it does if you’re a tech nerd or just enjoy life’s little conveniences. Sherry’s eyes glaze over when I try to tell her this stuff, so I’m talking to the remote-control-loving convenience enthusiasts out there. Anyone?
Each door came with its own remote, which we inherited from the previous owners. This guy barely worked at first, but with a quick battery replacement it works almost too well – occasionally opening or closing the door when the remote shifts in my cup holder. Did I mention it didn’t come with a visor clip? Yeah, that’s why it lives in the cup holder.
The other remote wasn’t much better. It worked more consistently, but required a duck tape wrap to keep it functioning. Classy, no? Not to mention its monstrous size meant it didn’t really fit anywhere conveniently in our car.
Improving our garage door remote situation was not high on our to-do list, but then I passed a display at Home Depot for a Clicker Universal Remote. It was $34, but the lure of simplifying to one, small, tape-free remote was too great for me to resist.
You only live once, right?
Sidenote: this YOLO skit gets quoted a lot in our house.
I didn’t really pause to think about actually programming the darn thing. And I know nothing about garage doors. What is this “dip switch” the instructions speak of? Well, a little bird (aka Google) told me it was a series of a 9 or 12 tiny switches that live in the garage door opener whose sequence of ups and downs creates a fingerprint. Match that sequence in your remote and you’ve got a match. Here’s the partially-obscured-so-you-can’t-get-into-our-garage dip switch in one of our existing remotes.
So all I had to do was replicate that switch in the new clicker.
To do so, I used the tip of a screw driver to move each switch into the correct up or down position. Note: the last 5 dip switches hadn’t been moved to reflect our code in this photo yet.
Once the dip switch was coded correctly, I just clicked the button I wanted to assign to that particular door until the door responded.
It was craaaaaazy easy to program this little thing. I got both doors programmed within 10 minutes or so. Doing the second door was the same as the first (and it didn’t undo the first door’s programming by changing the dip switches to a different sequence) so within no time I was the proud owner of one, single, double-door-operatin’ remote. Hallelujah.
And I just had to spread the word, so there you have it: a post about an easy tech update that might sound intimidating, but you can do it. Heck, I think Burger might be able to do it.
In summary: I think I might just be a remote addict (remember these?). The icing on the cake? Since it came with a clip, I was finally able to hang my garage door opener in a convenient spot on my visor. Yup, you can call me big poppa.
Okay, who else is way too excited about a little technological upgrade? Sherry couldn’t believe my enthusiasm for my new remote when I first told her about it (or when I brought it up again and again). But seriously, I’m so happy to be rid of those big ugly duct-tape-covered cup-holder-hogging remotes of the past.
Welcome to the future, guys. It’s nice here.
Vica says
Thanks for sharing. I love learning new random facts! I have a feeling one day I will need to know this.
Abby says
My husband and I have the exact same remotes and they’ve been perfect for us so far! When we were dating, I didn’t have a garage remote, so I always had to park in the driveway and then go in through the front door (which was fine until it was raining and I had to bring in lots of stuff). Needless to say, I understand the simple joy of having functioning garage door remotes! :) It’s the little things!
Joanna Banana says
I can’t believe you have room in your garage to park, this early in the moving game!
YoungHouseLove says
WOOOOT! That was a huge moment for us.
xo
s
Amber says
Hello! I immediately showed this post to my husband who went through a double garage door debacle not too long ago. We have 2 different openers (one was missing a remote) so he programmed our van and he bought this exact same remote for our later model car. You may want to beware…. ever since we got this remote, our garage door opens by itself ALL THE TIME. We have to cut the power to the opener every night or when we leave the house so it doesn’t open when we are sleeping or aren’t home. My husband read into it online and discovered some reviews that this has happened to other people as well. Hopefully you don’t have any problems with it, but I wouldn’t count on it as a security feature!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh no! Sounds like it’s defective! A bunch of other commenters have said they have the same one and like it (ours doesn’t seem to be extra trigger happy or anything) so I’d try to exchange it!
xo
s
leigh says
throw your hands in the air, if you’re a true player!
Millie Sullivan says
We just purchased our house in May and inherited garage door openers that did not work. I changed the batteries and still nothing. I purchased the same Universal Remote that is shown above from Home Depot. My garage door is a Chamberlain and it has a “smart learn” button on the part attached to the ceiling. I followed the instructions that came with the remote, pressed the “smart learn” button and voila – the door opened! I also did my husband’s before he returned from work. This way such an easy project I even did my inlaws garage.
Annie Rivera says
JOHN! Thanks for posting this. Need to get another remote but didn’t believe it was as easy as Home Depot. Silly Annie. And shocked to see you responding to comments as it’s always Sherry answering… But that didn’t last long, huh? ;) thanks for posting… And quoting Jessie Spano!
Chaucea says
LOL @ “SWAG”
*gigglefits*
John is like the most adorable geek-dork ever! :-D
Lois says
Three hints:
1/ If you know the model of your garage-door opener, you may be able to find the user/owner manual for it online, as well as parts like new clickers!
2/ You might consider reprogramming the opener. This entails changing the dip switches on the main part of the opener to a new code, and then your remote(s) to match that. At least one article I read said that many people leave theirs on the default setting that’s set at the factory, and that may be easy for burglars to find out. Choose a new code that will be harder. It’s like choosing a tough-to-guess password for your top-secret Internet stuff instead of just “password123”.
3/ If possible — this may be expensive, requiring an actual electrician — put the circuit that your actual opener operates from on a surge-suppressor, or better yet, get your whole house’s electrical wiring surge suppressed. We had a major electrical surge in our neighborhood a few years ago and both my garage-door opener (the motherboard inside it!) and my TV got fried!
YoungHouseLove says
Great tips Lois!
xo,
s
dak says
As soon as I saw those old openers it reminded me of the movie Singles. “This is the Genie Classic. You can’t go wrong with this garage door opener.”
Amanda U. says
I’m right there with ya! I bought the Belkin outlet switch remote that you posted about. Life. Changer. I don’t have a garage though.
jmlo says
if only i had two doors…..this is the kind of thing i love, that my wife just takes a nap during.
In related news, sears just emailed me about a thingy you attach to your craftsman (although chamberlain makes those, so i guess it would work on their own, too?) anyway, a deal you attach that then lets you open, close and check the status of your door…….
FROM YOUR SMARTPHONE!!!!!!!
how awesome would that be?
YoungHouseLove says
So awesome. This is the future guys. We’re like the Jetsons.
xo
s
Lori says
OK, so the YOLO clip got me started watching other SNL clips….I have now watched all the STEFON clips that I previously slept through, plus a number of other Weekend updates, and the Cheetleaders…. yes, easily an hours worth. Thanks A LOT, John…no, I really mean thanks a lot !
YoungHouseLove says
I’m convinced Hulu is a black hole. Congrats on getting out of there with only an hour lost (and all of that Stefon gained).
-John
Carrie says
When we moved into our current house a couple of months ago, the previous homeowners listed on the sellers disclosure sheet that there weren’t any garage door openers. In fact, there were two, but the cords were all wrapped up in a rats nest of a mess sitting on top of each opener that hung from the ceiling. They had at one time been installed, but weren’t anymore. There were no eye things at the doors and no wall openers or remotes. It was the strangest thing! So we had a garage door guy come and he said the openers worked perfectly fine, but needed the eyes at the doors in order to work, so he gave installed the eyes and wall remote from leftover parts he had in his truck for a great price. He also gave us that exact remote you bought and life is so good now that I don’t have to open the doors manually!! My big poppa picture would show that my car actually has garage door buttons installed in it so my husband got the fun new remote for his truck… its the “little” things that make a girl feel fancy ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Man, the car buttons are mack daddy! I want those someday. And heated seats. I’m dreaming big. Haha!
xo
s
Kelly says
Wow! Those remotes are huge! I’ve only ever had the keyring remotes for the garage door.
meowmeow says
I am amazed by the size of your garage openers?!
Mine is keyring sized and it stays on my keyring..makes more sense since i dont always enter the garage when im in the car! You crazy americans ! No metric system and huge ass garage beepers ! haha xx
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, we crazy over here!
xo
s
Care says
I just did this exact thing (same remote) about a year ago with our new house annnnnndddddd, again yesterday when I accidentally threw out my sisters garage door opener. Long story, but I made a mad dash to Home Depot yesterday to buy one and program it. Success!
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! Congrats Care!
xo
s
Jacky says
Sometimes it really is just the little thinks that make us the happiest! Your last image reminded me of this music video/advertisement….enjoy! It makes me laugh ever time!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql-N3F1FhW4
YoungHouseLove says
Oh my gosh I’d never seen that glossy version (just their casual youtube one). So funny! The “need to go potty” part gets me every time. Hilarious.
xo
s
Alli says
I’m surprised you guys didn’t paint your garage with the recent trim overhaul! What are your plans for the doors?
YoungHouseLove says
That’s on the list of 10,000 things to paint! We’re thinking about going a shade darker than the siding (something around the charcoal-brown-ish storm window color) for the doors.
xo
s
Krista says
So exciting! I don’t own garage doors but I own garage door remotes…. Yeah.
When I bought my car it had all these funky buttons up by the cab light I had no idea what they were for except that when you push them a little led light on them lit up for a few seconds. I later learned that they are build in garage door openers… 3 of them! Maybe thats a feature you will want to keep in mind next time you go car shopping!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, John would go nuts for that.
xo
s
Diane says
In your second paragraph, first sentence, it should be “its own remote” without the apostrophe. It’s is a contraction of it is.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Diane! All fixed.
xo
s
Stephanie says
seriously?
Karen F says
I love little changes like this that make life easier! I mean, you probably use that clicker at least once a day, right? So although it seems like a small change, it really isn’t.
Example: We hung a key hook for our keys so they’d have a “home” – such a simple thing, it was like why didn’t we do this sooner?
Sarah @makingitmyhome.blogspot.com says
Same issue with the garage door openers! SO glad to hear how easy it was to fix the issue.
Tina @ Living Life Wright says
Its the little things in life that make us happy! :)
KimberJ says
Don’t mean to poop yr remote lovin’ party (we love little conveniences like that in our house too!) but leaving your remote where it is in even remotely (couldn’t help myself… sorry) visible is not a good idea. People break into cars if there’s anything at all interesting. A garage door opener is like a welcome wagon to thieves. In many states you’re required to leave some form of owner info including address in your car. So if they break into your car you’ve not only told them where you live but given them the key. Our local policemen told us to leave absolutely nothing in your car that indicates any electronic gadgets inside: remotes, GPS holder on window, any type of cord, and even the little ring left by a suction cup from a GPS holder was tempting enough for them to smash my daughter’s car window in. Love you guys too much to want anything like that to happen to you :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Kimber! We have a whole house alarm system (armed doors and windows, motion detectors, the whole nine yards- haha!) so that gives us some nice peace of mind for sure.
xo
s
Stephanie says
My eyes glaze over about some tech stuff but thank you so much for this post! I have 2 garage openers as well that have seen better days… the one I use also lives in the cup holder! Can’t wait to try this!
Joseph says
What?!? How could anyone not be super excited about converting two old, giant sized, half-broken, ugly remotes into one small, sleek, brand-spanking new remote with twice the functionality plus the convenience of a visor clip? I mean, if nothing else you get to use your cup holders for actual cups now.
clodia says
This just reminds me of our rental home, two houses ago. We replaced the garage door opener, and but it consistently wouldn’t work when the light was wrong, when the stars were not aligned, or when I hadn’t turned around three times in a circle before pressing the button.
I spent so much time working on it and futzing with it that I now refuse to anything with garage doors, to my husband’s dismay. If he had spilt his blood, sweat, and tears just to have a non-functioning garage door opener, he might have sworn off it too.
Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating says
This was actually one of those “perfect timing” posts! We’re closing on a house in about two weeks that has two garage doors, and I just assumed I’d have to carry around two separate garage door openers in my car. I know so little about stuff like this that it never would have dawned on me that there was a programmable garage door opener just for that situation. So thanks!
Sassafras says
dipswitching…like a BOSS!!! We’re debating the one door or two now as we get ready to design our new garage build. Nice to know there’s a neat remote like this if we go w/two door!
David W says
LOL! Fist Bump – nicely done John. I can’t wait until Clara rolls up on a bike with integrated garage door openers and built in GPS.
Bailey says
Big high fives for small but convenient updates!
xox
Bailey
http://akabailey.blogspot.com
Megan says
Your intro really got me today. “cool story, bro.” I’m still giggling. I’ve been dragging my husband over to the computer lately to read your guys’ posts and we appreciated all your song references ;) Another fun tip for home security, if you tend to lock up your entire house like my Mom and Dad, it’s a great idea to leave keys and/or garage door openers with nearby friends or family. Our Grandma next door had both and our uncle down the road did as well. Although he used to use his garage door opener to come borrow tools ;) Key pads outside are awesome too.
Stacey says
So, so funny!! I’ve been following your blog for awhile, but have never commented. It really is the small details that make life more fun and manageable!
I just wanted you to both know how much I enjoy reading your blog and seeing you tackle different projects. When I see Young House Love in my inbox each morning, I get excited to see what you’re doing now! It really inspires me in my own home!
Your ideas have really influenced my decorating tastes. I’ve always been more on the traditional, antique end of things, but your blog is making me see how beautiful more modern elements and bright colors can be. I still like more of an ethereal look but now with more touches of beautiful color!
Keep up the great work! You two are a joy! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Stacey, you’re so sweet!
xo
s
Amanda says
I had the hardest time reading the words “dip switch”! I don’t usually have a potty mouth…uhhh…potty mind? lol
Heidi says
Hi There,
Not to be a debbie downer but we bought what looks like the exact same garage door opener about 2 years ago, it could have been modified since then. It lasted about 6 months before mine went out and only one door would open and then slowly the other door stopped opening as well. My husband’s went about 3 months after that. Around that time my husband took permanent possession over the garage for a workspace so I never investigated replacing them Hope you guys have better luck with them!
Heidi
YoungHouseLove says
Oh no! Hope ours doesn’t die! Here’s hoping they’ve improved in the last few years. Anyone else have this issue?
xo
s
Manda Wolf says
Awesome. I can’t wait until we get an automatic door installed in our garage. Not that we can fit a car in there but details…
Manda Wolf @ Our Wolf Den
Kim says
Those are exactly what we inherited when we bought our house 3 years ago, duct tape and all. Sad thing is that we are still using them! To make things worse they now only open the door, they will not close it. So, when I leave for work at 6:30am, I pull the car out, then have to get out, close the garage door with the wall button, then leave out the exterior garage side door. What a pain, even though it really only takes a minute. It’s a total inconvenience!
Do you think the universal clicker will solve that problem?
YoungHouseLove says
I can’t be sure but my guess would be a new remote would hopefully sync things up and it would all function again.
-John
Korinne says
Cute post!! Also love the paint speck riddled hands! True DIYer at their finest! :)
Jerri says
I’m with you on this, John! I love knowing how to program a garage remote, thanks to you! And, if my son and his fiancée buy a home with two garage doors, I can direct them to this very informative post! Thanks for sharing!
Sarah P. says
Two words about furniture – Killing Machines.
YoungHouseLove says
Best. Line. In There.
xo
s
Diana Buchanan says
This is too funny! Can I hire you or Burger to come program this for our double garage doors? We close on our first home NEXT WEEK! Aaaaahh!!!!
Also, that photo at the top makes the double doors look fiiiiiiine. Way to go!
YoungHouseLove says
I’ll send Burger right over! You’ll know he’s there when he barks at you for an hour.
xo
s
Ayisha says
Our house came with only one remote. We have two cars so I bought the same remote you have here. It was super easy for me considering that I’ve never had a garage door. my only issue with it is the range. With the old remote, I could open from the end of the driveway. With this new one, I have to be halfway up my 10 car driveway for it to work.
Kellee says
Ooh, I’m so jealous! I got a universal clicker to replace the one that came with my house, which is missing the back so the ginormous 9-volt battery always falls out. (Also, the wiring has recently come undone and needs to be soldered back onto the connectors. Ugh.) Sadly, I had to take it back as I discovered that my garage door opener is approximately 20 years too old to work with one. It was a sad, sad day when I had to say goodbye to clicker.
Mamaw says
I’ve programmed those things before but forgot they were called dip switches. For some reason that’s really funny to me today. Thanks for lifti g my spirits today.
Dawn says
Oh my gosh – THANK YOU! I’ve been avoiding changing out our garage remotes because I thought we’d have to climb on a ladder and look at the code on the garage door opener itself. Never thought of the remote – sweet.
Jenny says
This is the same clicker we have for our apartment! The actual keypad to get into the garage is inside a fencepost, so very inconvenient when, y’know, you’re driving your car! My roommate’s dad set it up for us and I’d been wondering what kind of magic he used to make it work – now I know!
Hillary says
Hey I’m with ya! I just installed a whole new system (by myself)! It had the same clicker as your first one but it barely worked in the driveway. After 6 years of silently wanting to blow it up, it did so on its own. The new one has lights that turn on when you just open the door to the garage and it automatically shuts the door after a pre-programmed time. This is awesome as I have come home to a wide open door in the past (Thank goodness for my large totally scary Lab–hehe). In this case, glad the bark is worse than the bite:) It came with the keypad for outside of the garage and I have used that more times than I can tell you. Just doing quick weed pulling when randomly outside and I can throw it in the garage trashcan. It’s the small things in life I tell you. Still love it two months later!
Bill says
FYI on DIP switches.
DIP actually stands for Dual Inline Package. This refers to a standard size and shape of some integrated circuits used in electronic devices. By having all the integrated circuits be a standard shape and size it made life easier for circuit board designers.
DIP switches have been around since the 60’s at least.
YoungHouseLove says
Interesting!
-John
Andrea says
This is so awesome. I will be sharing it with my husband, who is beside himself that his current remote is on its last legs. Of course, I’m sure he doesn’t realize that it may only take a change of battery to fix his problem, but to have one remote that operates two doors? Swag indeed.