Why my garage door opens automatically?

Question

Please help.

We four girls live together and none of us is good at DIY stuffs. Recently we found out the garage door opens automatically during the midnight or early morning while everyone is inside the house and not touching the remote control at all. This happened 3 times in a month and freaked us out. The garage door and the whole thing are 10 years old. Would there be some neighboors just have same frequency on the remote control to affect our door or it is time we have to change the garage opener and remote control?
How much will this cost? Please give me simple and clear answer, thanks so much!!

Answer 1

Either one of the nieghbors has the same frequency or one of the boy's you brought home made a copy.

Answer 2

Big City and Leslie S have covered the bases pretty well.
1- First try and open the remote, there should be several tiny switches inside with numbers on them. (mine had 0 thru 9).
2-Get a step ladder and open the plastic cover on the back of the opener motor itself. (should have the same kind and number of switches)
3- Record the settings and then set both to the same combination but different from the numbers you have written down. Example: old setting 1-2-3 change them to 2-3-4 on both the remote and the garage opener (they must be the same)
4- Try it and it should work. (Close everything up and you're done).
5- If the problem is the "Limit Switch", the door may think it has hit an obstacle and reopen as it is set too sensitive.
There are are two round knobs on the opener motor case that adjusts this sensitivity (1 for the down - close position and 1 for the open position.
A- Again, you will need a stepladder and have the remote in you hand. Do it during the daytime or you will need light.
Best idea, ask a friend to help who has a bit of experience. These are ornery critters, tricky and not at all novice friendly.

Answer 3

IN addition to all the good advice about openers check to make sure that nothing is blocking the door from closing altogether. Even the smallest thing can cause it to open. Is the door warped. Is the pavement it settles on uneven. Sometimes in rainy weather water will get under the apron and cause it to jack up in some places. I have given up on mine. I attached a rope to it and place a large heavy rock or other heavy item on the rope after the door is down. Easy and cheap fix.

Answer 4

Yes you can change the code,open up the remote and you'll see a row of small switches,they move back and forth. Set them as you like then remove cover on opener unit,you should see the same switches. Match these to your remote and you should be good.

Answer 5

yesz your neighbor must leave or arrive home around that time , his door opener and your are the same , inside the remote there are usually 4 dials inside , turn those to different numbers and try the opener , it shoud be a real simple fix , if that doesnt work you can always unplug you opener at night , or just leave it unplugged if you ladies dont use it t park one of your cars inside ,

Answer 6

Just change the receiver and remote to a new one that has DIP switches. With these switches you have thousands of security codes you can set yourself. It'll cost about $50.

Answer 7

depending on the exact age and model- you cant change the code. try to look on line for a manual... otherwise- yes buy a new garage door opener. Unless one of ur girlfriend is sneaking in a male caller...

Answer 8

Do you live near a military base? If so, the radio signals they put out can open or even jam your garage door.

Answer 9

Your neighbor has the same code or You live near the airport or the city trucks that work at night may be on the radio.

Answer 10

change the settings on your door and remote.