Originally published December 17, 2019 | Updated September 10, 2026
When your garage door remote stops working, it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem with the garage door opener. One of the simplest things to check first is also one of the easiest to fix: the battery in your garage door remote.
A weak or dead battery can cause your garage door remote to stop responding, work only intermittently, or operate the door only when you’re very close to the garage.
Fortunately, changing the battery in most garage door remotes takes only a few minutes.
Quick Answer: To change the battery in a garage door remote, open the remote’s battery compartment or carefully separate the case, identify the battery number printed on the existing battery, install a matching replacement in the same orientation, close the remote, and test it. In most cases, you will not need to reprogram the remote after changing the battery.
When the garage door fails to open, most people panic and begin to envision a huge repair bill or begin watching DIY garage door repair videos on YouTube. Before you go โjumping off a cliffโ and calling a professional, or dismantling your garage door opener, the best way to troubleshoot a finicky garage door is to investigate the quick fixes first. Square one: The batteries in your garage door remote.ย
Watch: How to Change a Garage Door Remote Battery
The video above demonstrates how simple the process can be. You’ll see how to:
- Open the garage door remote without damaging the case
- Find and remove the existing battery
- Identify the correct replacement battery
- Install the new battery correctly
- Close the remote and test it
If you’d rather follow written instructions, use the steps below.
Changing the Batteries in Your Garage Door Remoteย
Dead batteries are the #1 cause for garage door remotes not working. The lifespan of garage door remote batteries is about two years, depending on how often your garage door is going up and down. Another factor is what type of garage door remote and battery youโre using.ย
One of the telltale signs that your garage door remote is running low on juice is that you have to click it several times for it to successfully open your garage door. So letโs take a closer look at what kind of garage door remote batteries there are and how to change them.ย
Step 1: Opening Your Garage Door Remote
Chances are you wonโt need any tools to open the back cover of your garage door remote. At most you may need a Phillips-head screwdriver or smaller, but with newer remotes that is highly unlikely. Start by turning the garage door remote over. There you should see a cover that can be removed. Slide the cover down with your thumb to expose the battery housing. If no back cover is visible, it may be that the entire remote pops in half at the seam and splits into two pieces. Best case scenario you have an ownerโs manual to show you exactly how to open the garage door remote.ย
Step 2:ย Identify the Battery or Batteriesย
As with most handheld devices, there are a few different types of batteries that may be needed. Typically, your garage door remote will have a circular battery that looks like a coin. With batteries like this, it is important to notate the numbers on the battery so you can properly replace it, the sequence will usually start with a โCโ. In rare cases, your remote may require a smaller alkaline battery like a AAA battery. Larger remotes will call for AA, but that is uncommon with garage doors installed in the last decade. Once you have established what kind of battery needs replacing, itโs off to the store to buy two sets. One to replace the old batteries, and another to have on standby for the next time this happens.ย
Step 3: Replace Batteries and Reprogram Your Garage Door Remote
Once youโve purchased the right battery for your garage door remote, follow the above steps to re-remove the back cover. Simply pop in the new battery or batteries and replace the cover. At this point, you may need to reprogram your garage door remote. This is easier than it may seem. If your garage door was installed in the last 5-8 years the remote will typically have a one-button pairing option. Find the pairing button, hold it down for 3 seconds (you may see a blinking light) and release. This should have successfully paired your garage door remote with the garage door opener. If you are having trouble pairing your remote, go online and search for the model number of the remote. There will likely be an instruction manual available to successfully walk you through the process.ย
What Kind of Battery Does a Garage Door Remote Use?
Several different battery types are found in garage door remotes.
| Battery Type | Voltage | Where You May Find It |
| CR2032 | 3V | Common coin-cell battery used in many modern remotes |
| CR2025 | 3V | Used in some slim or older remotes |
| CR2016 | 3V | Used in some compact/keychain remotes |
| A23 | 12V | Found in some older rectangular remotes |
| AAA | 1.5V | Used in some remotes and wireless keypads |
| 9V | 9V | Found in some older controls and keypads |
The CR2032 is especially common, but don’t assume that’s what your remote requires.
For example, Chamberlain’s replacement instructions specify CR2032 batteries for a number of its LiftMaster and Chamberlain remote models. Genie also documents remotes that use CR2032 batteries as well as older versions that use A23 12-volt batteries.
The safest option is always to match the exact battery number and voltage printed on the battery you’re replacing or specified by the remote manufacturer.
Don’t substitute a battery simply because it looks similar. Coin batteries such as a CR2025 and CR2032 may have the same voltage but different dimensions.
ย Ideas for Making Your Life Easierย
There are a few ways to make your life easier, even if your garage door remote is being difficult. It may require you to do a little more reading or even making a call to a garage door professional, but if youโre looking to simplify things in the future, refer to the below tips for streamlining the process.ย
- Look for an Online Manual – Almost everything has an online PDF userโs manual now. If you can find out what garage door remote and/or garage door brand you originally had installed, there is a great chance they have lengthy instructions for you to follow online. There may even be visual aids and other troubleshooting methods for problems that arise in the future.ย
- Use Your Cell Phone as Your Garage Door Remote – In the era of smartphones, it is no surprise that you can now have your garage door open with the simple flick of a finger. If you are like most people, you usually have your smartphone with you at all times. Ask your garage door installer if they can outfit your current garage door system with this feature so you always have access to your garage without the use of a separate remote.ย
- Keypad Garage Door Entry – This is a great idea, secondary to the handheld remote. If you lose your garage door remote, or in this instance the battery dies, and you need immediate access to your garage, installing a keypad on the exterior of your home may be a great solution. Keypad entry systems are affordable and moderately easy to install. Contact your garage door installer to find out if they can help you find the best fit for your garage door system.ย
Precision Overhead Door of Las Vegas are experts at fixing any garage door problem in less than 2 hours. For assistance, contact us directly. Our garage door installation experts can answer your questions or schedule a free in-home estimate.
