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Craftsman garage door opener troubleshooting &how-to guide

Craftsman garage door opener troubleshooting &how-to guide

A malfunctioning garage door can leave you in a bind, especially during stormy weather. Having to park your car out in the open because your garage door refused to open is a significant inconvenience. However, with some basic knowledge, you can fix common garage door issues with ease.

You may also address some perceived issues by understanding your garage door better. Not to worry, this how-to guide will help you avoid any future garage door malfunctions. 

Is there a reset button on a Craftsman garage door opener?

Yes. The reset button is located on the left side of the opener near the wiring. In some models, the reset button may be located behind one of the light bulbs. It may also be round or square.

How do I reset my garage door opener?

Press the button and hold it for at least ten seconds to allow the garage door opener’s memory to reset. Then press the large button on your remote and press and immediately release the smart/learn button.

You need to reset all your remotes. For a mass reset, follow the steps below;

  • Place all the remotes on a table or chair.
  • Then press the learn button on the main motor unit and the learn button until the LED indicator light turns off. This will deactivate all the garage door remotes.
  • Then resync all the remotes by pressing the learn button and press your remote to reprogram them.
  • Press the button you wish to reprogram on your remote until the LED light on your motor begins to blink. And repeat this process with all the other remotes.

Note: You should reprogram your remote within thirty seconds of resetting the garage door opener.

What does it mean when the garage door opener is blinking?

Error CodeConditionPossible fixes
One flashSensors are completely misaligned, or sensor wires are broken.  Realign the safety reversing sensors so that the LED on the receiving sensor glows steadily. Reconnect any loose wires between the safety reversing sensors and the logic board. Replace the safety reversing sensor wires if damaged.
Two flashesSafety reversing sensor wires are shorted, or the safety reversing sensor wires are switched on the logic board.Repair or replace any damaged wires between the logic board and the safety reversing sensors. Connect the safety reversing sensor wires on the logic board following the guidelines in your owner’s manual.
Three flashesWall-mounted door control wires are shorted.Repair or replace any damaged wires between the logic board and the wall-mounted door control.
Four flashesSafety reversing sensors are slightly misalignedRealign the safety reversing sensors so that the LED on the receiving sensor glows steadily.
Five flashesMotor overheatedThe motor can overheat if the door is opened and closed several times in a row. Unplug the garage door opener to reset the logic board. Allow the motor to cool for about 15 minutes before restoring power and using the garage door opener. Pull the emergency door release and check the up-and-down travel of the garage door for binding. Repair the garage door if it doesn’t travel smoothly. If it overheats after a single use and the garage door travel is smooth, replace the motor.
Six flashesMotor circuit failureReplace the logic board.
Rapid flashingThe signal is being received from a compatible remote transmitterThe logic board is receiving the signal from a compatible remote transmitter. Program the remote transmitter device to link to the logic board. Follow the instructions in your owner’s manual to program the remote.

Why does my craftsman garage door opener click when I try to close it?

The main reason your garage door is clicking is due to damaged parts. In some cases, the LED indicator may produce a flashing light that will let you know the issue. Here are the main parts to inspect if your garage door is clicking when closing;

  1. Logic Board

A damaged logic board will cause your garage door to click when you try to close it. It may even produce a flashing light, which is a sign of a damaged logic board.                           

  • Sensors 

A misaligned or obstructed sensor will cause the door to click and not close as the sensor cannot sense if the garage door is open. Additionally, faulty sensor wiring will cause the light to flash multiple times in a row and cause the motor to make a clicking sound. The light will flash ten times on a LiftMaster if the sensors are obstructed.

Here are other reasons why your garage door is making a clicking sound;

  • Faulty inside Wall Button
  • Security Lock Override
  • Faulty Circuit Board
  • Worn Out Garage Door Rollers
  • Photosensor Issues

Craftsman garage door opener won’t close all the way

There are several reasons why your garage door is not closing all the way. Here are some ways you can troubleshoot and fix the issue;

Check for binding or sticking of the garage door.

Check to see if the door tracks and roller are damaged or unbalanced; then fix as needed. If left unchecked, the damaged parts may cause the motor to overheat and ultimately get destroyed. To inspect the damage, follow the following steps;

  1. Pull the emergency pull cord to disconnect your Craftsman opener from the door.
  2. Then proceed to lift the garage door manually. If the door is balanced, it will lift with ease.
  3. Look out for areas where the door binds or sticks. Then inspect the tracks at the places where the door sticks and check for dents or any damage.
  4. Repair any damaged parts or hire a garage door technician to fix the door.

Note: To reconnect the garage door opener back to the door, activate it. It will connect automatically.

 Adjust the Travel Limit

Increased travel limit as a slower travel limit will cause the system to assume the door is entirely closed after a certain period.

Adjust the Force Settings

The garage door force needs to be varied if the rollers are wet during a stormy period or when they are old and have become corroded—as such, adjusting the force setting is essential when you have an older garage door. Newer models will automatically change the force settings as needed.

For an older model garage door use, the force adjusts dials to adjust the opening or closing force as needed. Adjust the force until you reach a force that works for your garage door. Ensure you perform the safety reversing test after adjusting the force settings.

Replace RPM Sensor

A faulty sensor may prevent your door from closing all the way. If your garage door LED indicator is flashing five times, then the sensor is defective. You can replace it yourself or hire a garage door technician to replace it for you.

How do I know if my garage door sensor is bad?

Here are some ways to learn if your garage door sensor is damaged;

  1. A flashing LED sensor light
  2. Garage door not closing or only closing halfway
  3. The wiring to the sensor is frayed

Craftsman garage door opener troubleshooting light stays on

Start by checking to see if the light button has been pressed accidentally and remove the pressing object. Then check to see if the logic board or the door control circuit is damaged and fix or replace accordingly.

You should also check to see if the motion sensor is being triggered, as this will cause the light to stay on. Also, check to see if you left the panel light switch or if the garage door light is on. If you are not in a position to fix the issue or are unable to find the cause of the problem, hire a garage door technician to fix it.

Craftsman garage door opener troubleshooting safety reversing sensor

Follow these steps to troubleshoot safety reversing sensor issues;

Check for obstruction

Check if there is anything in the way of the garage door. If there is something in the doorway, the safety sensor will detect it and prevent the garage door from closing. This is precisely the reason why they are installed: to prevent accidents.

So, verify if there is something in the way of the door. It could be a suitcase or some items you took off your car’s trunk and forgot to take them.

Align safety sensors

The next thing to do is to make sure the safety sensors are aligned. As you may already know, there are two sensors, one on each side of the door. They are supposed to face each other every time. One sender, known as the sending sensor, emits an infrared signal, and the other sensor, which is the receiving sensor, receives that signal.

The sensor with the yellow LED is the sending sensor, and the receiving sensor has a green LED. When the sensors are correctly aligned, the green LED will turn and stay on. So check if the green LED is on. If that’s not the case, then adjust it till the LED turns and stays on.

Check this too: Linear Garage Door Openers Troubleshooting

Check the safety sensor’s connection to the garage door opener.

If the Diagnostic LED on your Craftsman garage door opener blinked two times, then it means the safety sensor is disconnected from the garage door opener. First, to troubleshoot this, check if any of the safety sensor wires have been disconnected behind your Craftsman opener.

Also, verify that the wires are appropriately connected to the safety sensors as well. Finally, inspect the sensor cable for any signs of damage. A damaged cable may be the reason why there is a short circuit. If the cable is damaged, then you need to have it replaced.