If there is one thing that you don’t want to have stopped working, it’s your garage door keypad. Garage door openers need to work in order for you to get your car out safely and (ideally) not have an easy entrance to your home for thieves.
The one time that you might never expect your garage door’s keypad to stop working is after you switched batteries in the keypad. You mashed the buttons, but nothing is happening. What on earth is going on here, and how can you fix it?
Truth be told, this is actually a fairly common issue. Use our article to help figure out the main causes of a keypad that stopped working.
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Why did my garage door’s keypad stop working?
A battery replacement is something that should be pretty straightforward, but it rarely ever is. Let’s take a look at the most common reasons why this happens right after a battery charge.
1. Bad batteries
Not seeing your keypad turn on after the batteries got switched? This could be a battery connection issue or a bad battery. It’s time to check on both before you assume that you need repairs.
Believe it or not, there is always a chance that you may have replaced the old batteries with ones that were also dead. It happens, particularly among people who aren’t organized. If you had those batteries lying around for a while, try another freshly-bought pair.
Remember, if your battery compartment is filled with dirt and grime, you will probably don’t need to replace the batteries. You just need to clean the inside with a soft cloth topped with an appliance cleaner.
2. Frayed or damaged wires
Here’s a strange thing that can happen when you are trying to switch out batteries: the wiring in your garage doors might get shifted around. In a well-kept device, this doesn’t happen, however, if your garage door keypad has been around for years, wires could fray.
Frayed wires can happen to homes that have rough weather conditions involving hurricanes or dust, too. So, take your keypad off the mounting surface and check for fraying. Then, fix any loose connections you see. Put the keypad back once everything is straightened out.
3. A poor connection
In other words, while you were moving stuff around to get the batteries in, grime and debris could have gotten in your pad.
When too much gunk gets in between your keys and keypad, it will make your keypad stop working. It gets jammed. The simplest way to check if you just have a jammed keyboard is to see if you can use your remote control to enter the code on the keypad with success.
Of course, this isn’t always a workable test. A more reliable way to work with this is to clean your keypad with a rag dipped in rubbing alcohol or a can of air spray. Make sure to get the spaces between the keypad buttons!
4. Surface interference
Did you replace the batteries on a keypad, then move the keypad portion to close your device? Well, this could cause surface interference in some cases. Surface interference happens when metal makes contact with your circuit, harming the connection.
Usually, putting a little layer of rubber will ground your circuit and help avoid any interference from putting things up.
If you are concerned about a particularly sensitive keypad, the best way to fix this is to follow your manufacturer’s instructions on how to fix it. You can usually find the owner’s manual for a security keypad online.
5. A need to reset the keypad
While rare, there is also a chance that your garage door may have glitched out after the battery’s replacement. It often happens with older models. A simple fix for this is to reset the keypad according to the instructions in the owner’s manual.
Whether you want to call it a reprogram or a reset doesn’t matter. What matters is that the outcome tends to be the same. The idea is that your keypad will be set back to square one—at least when it comes to how it reacts to a code being typed into the keypad.
This often means that you will need to create a new code for your keypad, so be prepared to choose a new PIN code. Since different keypad brands will have different instructions, it’s best to check out what your manual has to say about doing a reset.
PRO TIP – You might want to check to see if you entered the wrong code. Enter your code again, then press the enter button. If you forgot your code, call your security company or read the manual to find out how to get a temporary PIN number or replacement PIN.
6. A bad garage door keypad
In extremely rare cases, having a garage door that’s on its last legs will mean that you will see it die the moment you change its battery. It’s like a car that takes one last drive before its alternator blows—the removal of those alkaline batteries just pushed it too far.
If you have one of the many older models that still come with a new home purchase, you might want to see if it’s time for you to get a new garage door keypad system or a new garage door opener. Garage door keypads only last for about five to 15 years, depending on the type.
Should you call a repairman or replace your keypad?
Generally speaking, a keypad that doesn’t work after a battery change isn’t usually that much of a cause for concern. However, if you can’t get it to work after a factory reset, restarting your keypad, or cleaning it out, you may have a bigger issue at hand.
A repairman is a pretty steep charge for a simple fix. Before you assume you need professional assistance or a new pad, call your garage door opener manufacturer’s customer service line and explain what’s going on with your keypad.
In most cases, what your customer service rep will do is give you a custom-tailored troubleshooting walkthrough to help determine what the exact cause of your problem happens to be.
From there, you might be able to get a replacement battery, a replacement keypad, or you may be advised to get a new garage door system altogether.
If you recently found evidence of a mouse infestation in your garage, you need both an electrician and an exterminator. A chewed-through wire that fell apart during battery replacement could have been the cause of the keypad’s demise.
That chewed wire might seem like a small issue, but it could be indicative of more widespread damage to wiring in your garage and home. Mice and other rodents pose a particularly steep danger to your house’s electric grid. Make sure to take care of the problem as soon as you can.
How long does a warranty last on a garage door keypad?
This can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but there is some good news here. Most garage door keypads do come with a warranty, and that warranty typically runs from 3 to 5 years. Some can last as long as 7 years, but they are rare.
The only way to find out how long your warranty lasts is to read the warranty booklet your keypad came with. If you don’t have it, then you might be able to get a look at the warranty policies via the manufacturer’s website or by contacting them directly.
What should you do if your keypad is under warranty?
If your keypad has been registered under warranty, then the best thing you can do is call customer service. You may need to mention a warranty number or proof of warranty registration, but you still should call them up regardless.
A warranty, even if it’s a limited warranty, gives you a shot at free repairs or a free replacement of your garage door keypad. In the event that the battery malfunctions or that your keypad was a dud, a warranty will almost always give you a full replacement.
It’s important to remember that warranties are often limited in what they do and do not cover. If you broke your keypad because you did something like smashing it with a hammer, your damage won’t be covered. It’s mostly for defective parts.
In conclusion
Most of the time, a keypad that stops working after a battery change has issues with wiring or electrical connectivity. A cleaning or readjustment of your keypad can help.
If you need a little help with your garage door keypad, a quick call to the customer service line can help you out.