# Do I have to reprogram garage opener remote when changing batteries? Not working after batt change!
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-reprogram-garage-opener-remote-when-changing-batteries-not-working-after-batt-change/511505
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [September 25, 2009, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-reprogram-garage-opener-remote-when-changing-batteries-not-working-after-batt-change/511505 "2009-09-25T12:37:03Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)
#### Post date: [September 25, 2009, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-reprogram-garage-opener-remote-when-changing-batteries-not-working-after-batt-change/511505/1 "2009-09-25T12:37:03Z")
Craftsmen garage door opener. Has keypad remote mounted outside and one car remote we keep on the truck sun visor.
Fall maintenance around the house: Changed the light bulbs on the opener mechanism (both were dead) and decided to put a fresh (coded and matching, installed properly) battery in the visor remote.
Vibration-resistant light bulbs work! Wall-mounted inside button works! Outside keypad works! Visor mounted remote with new battery = nothing. Checked orientation, and put in another new battery (had a three pack).
I have a hunch the visor mounted remote lost it’s synch/setting with the opener mechanism.
Anyone had a similar problem?
Instruction Manual: not around
Web searches: confusing
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### Author:  [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)
#### Post date: [September 25, 2009, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-reprogram-garage-opener-remote-when-changing-batteries-not-working-after-batt-change/511505/2 "2009-09-25T13:47:13Z")
NO PROBLEM!
Get a step ladder if needbe to access the contraol panel on main unit.
Press the little red button.
Press the button on the visor mounted remote.
Close door on main unit.
Put step ladder away if used.
Job done.
When all else fails read the instruction book!
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### Author:  [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)
#### Post date: [September 25, 2009, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-reprogram-garage-opener-remote-when-changing-batteries-not-working-after-batt-change/511505/3 "2009-09-25T14:41:02Z")
Yeah - the infamous learn button. Resynchs the rolling code.
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### Author:  [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)
#### Post date: [September 25, 2009, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-reprogram-garage-opener-remote-when-changing-batteries-not-working-after-batt-change/511505/4 "2009-09-25T15:31:58Z")
Will do tonight! I figured it wasn’t anything major since the remote key code pad works.
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### Author:  [@Hennessy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hennessy)
#### Post date: [September 25, 2009, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-reprogram-garage-opener-remote-when-changing-batteries-not-working-after-batt-change/511505/5 "2009-09-25T23:16:40Z")
Are they universal?
ETA: Garage openers in general
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### Author:  [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)
#### Post date: [September 26, 2009, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-reprogram-garage-opener-remote-when-changing-batteries-not-working-after-batt-change/511505/6 "2009-09-26T00:37:36Z")
> [@Hennessy](#):
>
> Are they universal?
>
> ETA: Garage openers in general
For the most part they are. The garage door companies don’t design the or manufacture chips associated with remotes. They buy them from companies like TI.