Garage door opens on it's own (opener, AC, lights, cost)

[cd771]

So it appears when our electricity goes out our garage door opens when it comes back on. Yesterday it happened while we were at work. This is the third time. Anyone have any idea why this would happen and how we can stop it?

Thank you.

[BigJon3475]

If the power goes out pull the cord. Once it comes back on you can revert back and then just run the garage until it catches again.

[Kootr]

You may have a defective control module in the opener itself. But, you may have a problem with a remote or in the wall mount pushbutton or its wiring.

Here, this may help: LiftMaster Garage Door Opener Frequently Asked Questions

Click on "Troubleshooting", then on click on "My garage door is opening and closing on its own.

[PinkString]

And if all else fails, it could be a ghost.

[stelarent]

What happens to you is pretty common - power surges affect your motor control board in your opener unit and cause it to do odd things. First thing you should do is get a single outlet surge protector and plug the opener into it. To prevent surges from affecting your board, if you need a new one it will cost approx. $60-$70. Garage door openers do not have reset buttons so the only way to reset them is to unplug and let set for at least 30 minutes - plug unit back in and walk to the wall button(not a remote device) - activate unit. If it acts just fine then all it needed was a reset.

[Coldjensens]

Satan has possessed your garage door opener. Call a priest and schedule an exorcism. that is your only hope. Do it now before the possession spreads to the rest of your garage.

[cb at sea]

Perhaps someone in your neighborhood has the same opener code as you do! It's been known to happen! When a neighbor comes home (or leaves) and opens their garage, your's is picking up the signal!

[Coldjensens]

When this happened to us, we learned that it was from trucks going by that used the same radio frequency as our remote. Not sure if that was really true or not though. Possession seems more likely

[Tom H.]

Originally Posted by stelarent

What happens to you is pretty common - power surges affect your motor control board in your opener unit and cause it to do odd things. First thing you should do is get a single outlet surge protector and plug the opener into it. To prevent surges from affecting your board, if you need a new one it will cost approx. $60-$70. Garage door openers do not have reset buttons so the only way to reset them is to unplug and let set for at least 30 minutes - plug unit back in and walk to the wall button(not a remote device) - activate unit. If it acts just fine then all it needed was a reset.

I've been dealing with the same problem and believe that resetting the remotes at the panel control board is the answer to the "Phantom" opening problem. (See your opener manual for remote reset instructions) I did it 3 days ago and haven't had a "Phantom" opening since. I will continue to reset in the future if it happens again.

I do have one issue with using a surge suppressor: I used one that I had to protect some computer equipment and after doing so , I found that my outside remotes would not open the door. It would not open unless within 3 feet of the opener.

Afterwards I learned that LED lights throw out radio interference waves which can cause problems with other electronic devices. I then noticed that the surge suppressor had two tiny LED lights. (One red, One green). I removed the suppressor and plugged opener into AC receptacle and the problem was eliminated.

Also note that some people use LED light bulbs in their opener. (Not a good idea!)

I took it one step further:
I opened the suppressor and found the wire leads which were connected to the
tiny LED lights and then snipped and removed them. After closing the suppressor, I re plugged the opener and suppressor and it was double proof that LEDs most definitely interfere with remotes. It eliminated the problem

I am not saying that "ALL" suppressors with LED lights will cause this problem, as others may somehow be shielded from emitting the interference. I don't know how you will be able to determine this when purchasing a suppressor, but it will save bucks by asking the sales person if he can guarantee that it is shielded.

Good Luck!

[124c41]

Make sure your house isn't built on an ancient burial ground.