Garage door keypads are the perfect balance between the convenience of automatic door openers and keeping the safety and privacy of your garage. However, you might be wondering about the source of power that garage door keypads use.
So, do garage door keypads have batteries?
Most garage door keypads are powered by batteries. Not only that, but they’re the main reason why your keypads might be not working, among other reasons.
In this article, we’ll walk you through an in-depth guide of garage door keypad batteries: how to replace them, what types of batteries to use, and what to check if replacing the batteries doesn’t fix the problem. So without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Do Garage Door Keypads Use Batteries
Yes, they do! The vast majority of keyless entry devices, also known as “garage door keypads”, use batteries to power up the device.
This is because these devices are separated from the power device that pulls the garage door up and they don’t require too much power to work.
However, the types and number of batteries used in garage door keypads will vary from one brand and model to the other.
What Type of Batteries Are Used in Garage Door Keypads
There are plenty of batteries that can be used to power such a simple device. As a rule of thumb, the most common type of battery used for that purpose is a single 9-volt battery.
However, there are many models that will also use 2 or 3 AAA or AA alkaline batteries. Coin-shaped batteries like CR-2032 can also be used but they’re quite common in garage door remotes rather than keypads.
How to Change a Garage Door Keypad Battery
Here’s a step by step guide on how to replace the battery on a keypad:
Step 1: Find the Battery Location
Start by finding the location of the battery, which is most commonly found at the bottom of the dial buttons.
In the majority of the cases, you can expose the battery housing simply by sliding off the battery cover using your thumb.
However, if the cover is protected by a screw, you can use a Phillips screwdriver to remove it and expose the battery.
Step 2: Identify the Battery Type and Number
Now that you’ve exposed the battery housing, take the battery out and inspect it to figure out its type. If it is a coin shaped battery, it will say the model directly on it, like CR-2032.
As previously mentioned, there are various types of batteries used for that purpose depending on the brand and model. Make sure that you buy extra, so you can have a spare.
Step 3: Put the Cover Back and Test it Out
Now that everything is in place, all you have to do is put the keyless entry back together as it was and test whether it now works.
Unlike remotes, the garage door keypad doesn’t require pairing with the system, so you should try out your regular PIN and it should work.
However, in some cases, after the battery is replaced, the PIN is restored to its default, which is usually as simple as “12345” or “00000”. Make sure that you look up the manual or instructions to find it out.
What to Do If the Garage Door Opener Still Doesn’t Work
Although faulty and dead batteries are the main reason why your keypad might not be working. In this section, you’ll find some quick fixes that might help you:
- Double Check the PIN code Entered: This might be silly but in many cases, this can be the reason. Make sure that nobody in the house has changed the PIN or tampered with the device. Some keypads are programmed to reset back to default as a failsafe security measure.
- Warm Up the Keypad: Since they’re usually outside the garage, they’re subjected to cold. In extremely cold weather, the keypad might stop working and the battery may also drain faster.
- Test the Wires: check the wire connected to the keypad as well as the rest of the electric circuit for any signs of fraying or wearing out, which is another possibility in the case of exposed wires.
- Check You’re Within Range: as the battery starts to die out, the range at which the device is functional diminishes.
- Check for Buttons Malfunction: check that all buttons click and beep as they’re pressed.
- Reset the keypad: a simple reboot can sometimes fix internal programing issues and restore the keypad functionality. Sometimes this will also reset the PIN. Check your manual for the default PIN number.
- Check for Surface Interference: if the PIN works when you’re holding the keypad but not when it’s attached to the wall, make sure that you insulate the wall because it might be causing the circuit to short.
- Seek Professional Help or Get a New Keypad: if the problem persists, maybe it’s time to buy a new keypad or call the manufacturer if you’re still covered by the warranty.
Tips to Extend the Garage Door Opener Life
Here are a few extra tips to extend the life of your garage door opener as well as the keypads:
- Use a garage door opener alternative such as remotes and app-controlled systems whenever possible. This saves the battery on the keypad.
- Lubricate moving parts so they don’t make it harder for the machine to pull the garage door up.
- Clear the tracks and make sure that no dirt or grime is trapped inside, which can prevent the door from opening with time.
- If the garage door is not balanced well, the pull mechanism will spend more power to lift the door up, which wears its component out quickly.
- Be vigilant for any changes in the sound or speed of opening, and make sure that you check the door for any possible causes.
- Set a schedule for regular maintenance every couple of months to retain the quality and performance of the door.
Conclusion
As you can see, garage door keypads do have batteries. Not just that, but they are more often than not, the main reason why the garage door keypads don’t work properly sometimes.
To wrap things up, we hope that this brief guide has answered your questions regarding the garage door keypads, including how to replace their batteries and troubleshoot them if they start to malfunction.
Remember to keep the previously mentioned tip in mind to extend the life of the garage door keypad batteries as well as the door mechanism itself!
