Samll problem with garage door remote

Mar 07, 2016 8 Replies

I have an automatic garage door operated by remote control. I have 3 remotes , two of which are Hormins, the manufacturer, the other an independent remote. Mostly they work fine, but after dark sometimes they fail, this is a fairly recent problem, to operate the door, unless my wife of I get out of the car and move close to the garage doors. Any suggestions as to what the problem may be and a possible d=cure? The batteries in the remotes have been replaced to no avail.


I assume you haven't changed your car? Some modern windscreens are less transparent to radio waves.

Do all of the remotes have the same problem? If so it would suggest that the problem is at the other end - the receiver in the garage door opener. Check that the aerial (if there is one) hasn't fallen off etc. and that you haven't stacked something in the garage that could be affecting the signal.

Something that comes on after dark is operating on the same frequency and blocking your remotes' signals.

In reply could it be the light sensors that bring on the outside lights? I have checked the internal garage door aerial, that seems fine, just as it has always been.

Presumably easy enough to test - turn off the light sensors/lights and retry?

Thinking back: Fluorescent lights used to interfere with IR sensors used for TC remotes, but I'd imagine that the door remote is using radio signals not IR. Still it might be worth unplugging any bulb that comes on after dark in case it's doing something it shouldn't.

As its after dark, is there a nearby floodlight of some kind, either gas discharge or led. It could be that when this is on, there is local interference on the band used by the remote. I see this even on things like remote controlled mains outlets, as the interference comes down the mains, on supposes. So much equipment these days chucks out crap on the mains or through the air its a wonder anything works. Brian

Any chance of changing channels to lessen any RFI?

I am still curious as to if you have found something.

Any updates?

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