Garage Door Receiver/Logic Board Troubleshooting Guide

Your automatic garage door opener is an advanced piece of equipment that operates your overhead door. It helps to have it inspected regularly by a professional to check that it works properly. A garage door logic board is what gives the signal for your transmitters (remotes) and keyless entry for your overhead door to open or close. This guide features what symptoms to look for in your garage door logic board to make sure it continues to control the automatic opener.

How Do I Know if My Garage Door Logic Board Is Bad?

Look over your garage door opener to discover any issues with the logic board. Since these problems can be hard to spot, it’s best to reach out to a professional technician to inspect and repair your garage door opener as needed. Keep an eye out for the following signs that you need to repair or replace your garage door logic board:

• The remote controls don’t work: The garage door logic board might not be functioning if the door doesn’t operate at all. When you use the remote control and nothing happen it could be one of the following reasons: 1) the battery in the remote needs to be replaced 2) the opener is in lock mode 3) something is causing interference with the signal or 4) the receiver/logic board has gone bad.  
• Other lights or electrical circuits in the garage aren’t working: If your garage door circuit board shares power with other units, you may notice that the power is out from the other circuits. Try resetting the breaker or GFCI or replacing the burned-out fuse. Repeated tripping of the GFCI or circuit breaker may reveal a problem somewhere in the system. Otherwise, you may have an issue with the circuit board.
• Your local area recently had a storm: A bad lightning storm may trip up the circuit board. If you’ve experienced harsh weather over the past few days and your garage door hasn’t been working, it may be time to replace the circuit board.
• Your garage door acts abnormal: There may be an issue with the circuit board if your garage door doesn’t operate as you intend. For example, your garage door may open on its own or only open halfway before stopping.
• There are problems with the photo-eye sensors: You’d know if you have an issue with your garage door circuit board if the photo-eye sensors aren’t working even while connected to the power source. Test the photo-eye sensors by placing an object in front of them.
• If your opener is 10+ years old and the logic board is bad,  we recommend replacing the whole unit, not just the board.

How to Change a Garage Door Logic Board

Since a circuit board has many complex parts that affect your garage door, it’s best to leave any repairs to a professional. A technician will typically follow these steps to fix the circuit board:

1. Disconnect the garage door opener: Before making any repairs, the technician will turn off the circuit breaker connected to your garage door to prevent injury or damage from electric shock.
2. Inspect the circuit board: After creating a safe environment, the professional will open the plastic cover over the circuit board and look at the board. They have the tools and expertise needed to repair your circuit board and pinpoint the problem. After looking it over, the technician can assess whether you need a new one or fix the old one.
3. Take out the old board: If the technician decides you need a new garage door circuit board, they’ll unplug the wire connectors and remove the old board from the system.
4. Install the new board: A professional technician will install the new board correctly as they connect the circuit board to the breaker. It’s important to attach all the connectors properly to keep your new circuit board in working order. An expert in the garage door industry can also take all the necessary precautions to keep you and your property safe.
5. Make sure the door works: Before officially installing your new circuit board, the technician will check that the garage door works with everything in place. You may want to use your opener’s remote control or press the button on the keypad to try operating your door.
6. Close and screw the plastic cover in place: After the technician has ensured everything is in working order, they’ll attach the new garage door circuit board to the wall.

How to Test the Logic Board on a Garage Door Opener

Find out whether you need to repair or replace your logic board by following these instructions to test it:

1. Disconnect the motor unit from the power: Keep yourself and your property safe by unplugging the unit before working with the logic board.
2. Use a socket or screwdriver to open the back of the motor unit: As you perform this step, remember that the screws on the cover might be different sizes. You’ll want to keep them in designated areas as you put the cover back on to attach them correctly.
3. Inspect the antenna wire: After you’ve opened the motor cover, check the antenna wire connected to the green logic board. Re-solder the antenna if it’s coming off the logic board. You may also want to solder a thicker replacement wire if you don’t think your remote signal is strong enough.
4. Review the logic board’s connection joints: Inspect the connection joints on the logic board to make sure everything is securely attached. You’ll want to re-solder any connections that may have become loose.
5. Inspect the capacitor: The white cylindrical capacitor acts like a battery for your garage door opener. Check this piece if your garage door opener isn’t operating as usual. The symptoms of a bad capacitor on a garage door are hard to spot at first, but they include leaking or bulging. Buy a new capacitor instead of splurging on a capacitor test.
6. Check the controller wires: Finally, inspect the garage door motor’s controller wires to make sure they’re securely attached. These copper wires have a plastic release button that could become corroded or slip out over time.

Garage Door Openers and Their Own Circuit

Garage door openers should have their own circuit with an electrical motor that needs an input telling it to start. Operating the garage door needs direction and information from the circuit board to function. Circuit boards also need information from you when you use the remote control. Garage doors need their own circuit boards with a signal receiver and other necessary parts from your remote control. That way, you can conveniently manage how your garage door functions and operates.

Learn More About Our Garage Door Opener and Circuit Board Replacement

To replace your garage door opener and circuit board safely and effectively, reach out to us at Easy Open Door. We provide garage door opener replacements for homeowners in the San Diego, CA, area to help you operate your overhead door conveniently. For more information about garage door opener service, contact us online or call 619-419-0544 to request service.