My Craftsman 1/2 hp garage opener won't work with the remote unless I am directly under the unit. I changed the batteries. What could the problem be?

Jimmy K EXPERT January 23, 2009

When the remotes have short range it is usually because of radio frequency interference in the area. If the led on the back of the motor unit is blinking the interference is strong. Many things can put out the rf signal that confuses the logic board in the garage door opener.

Try disconnecting the portable phone, the aquarium, the water softener, any electronic item with a remote control. This can be done by turning the circuit breakers for the house off one at a time. Check the range on the remotes after turning each breaker off.

Take the batteries out of the keyless entry and all except one remote then take the batteries out of that remote. If you had a garage door opener before with remotes, look in all drawers and in the cushions of couches and chairs for an old remote and remove the batteries from that remote.

If none of this helps connect a 2 foot piece of small gauge wire to the small antenna wire hanging out of the rear of the motor unit. If that helps you can buy an antenna extender kit and install it.

The remotes and the logic board in the garage door opener are not adjustable. On some of our older openers you could fine tune the remotes. That feature is no longer available. They tell us the new technology doesn’t require it.

If there is rf signal coming from somewhere in the neighborhood, you can get a Sears technician to search for the signal with a special meter most Sears technicians have.