Knowing the Code
“I am getting a LiftMaster Error Code” and I do not know why”. The Wright Door Co. hears that often and can be a nightmare. We know that your garage door operator is supposed to work every time you press that button. However, there are those moments that can stress you out, let’s correct that.
LiftMaster/Chamberlain is by far the best garage door operator that is on the market and easy to diagnose. If you have a premium wall console you will have the LED read out of the problem and is an easy correction. The standard wall console is a little harder to understand.
Standard Wall Console
If you have a standard wall console on the newer model, it will have a yellow light, a yellow antenna, and up/down arrows. The up/down arrows will be what tells you the error code. This link liftmaster trouble codes will take you to the official LiftMaster/Chamberlain web page. The Wright Door Co. will try and simplify it for you.
First locate the UP and DOWN arrows. They will be located on the logic board, the easiest way is to find the antenna, it is attached to the logic board. It may be under the light cover. When reading the code the arrows will flash, have a pause, and then repeat the code.
Common Codes
- 1 Up – 1 Down (1-1) = Safety sensor is obstructed.
The Safety sensor or photo sensor is the little black sensor on the bottom left and right of the garage door track. The operator thinks something is in the way. Check and be sure there is nothing in the way. If it is clear, it may not be aligned, be sure it is pointed across. Rember that something may have bumped it and just moved the line of sight.
- 1 Up – 2 Down (1-2) = Safety sensor wires are shorted or reversed.
The garage door opener will not close, and the opener’s lights will flash or click ten (10) times. Ensure the safety sensors are correctly wired to the operator and that the bare copper is not touching.
- 1 Up – 3 Down (1-3) = operator detects there is a short in the wires connecting the Wall Control to the garage door opener.
The garage door opener works when using the remote controls and keypad, but it does not operate from the wall control panel. The short is most likely from a break in the wire, it should be the red and white wire from the operator. If you are handy replace the wire, if not call a reputable company to replace the wire.
- 1 Up – 5 Down (1-5) = Motor Drive System Issue. when the operator has detected no movement in the garage door opener motor when the door initially attempts to move.
This can be caused by many issues and will need a technician.
- 1 Up – 6 Down (1-6) = The garage door moves down after reaching the open position after the motor has turned off. RJO openers will show this error code while manually operating the door.
Test the balance of the garage door by releasing the door from the operator and feel if the door is heavy.
- 2 Up – 1 Down (2-1) = Logic board component failure, the garage door opener doesn’t function as expected.
Disconnect the backup battery if necessary and attempt to unplug and plug in the garage door opener from power. Replace the logic board if the error codes don’t clear.
- 2 Up – 2 Down (2-2) = Logic board component failure, the garage door opener doesn’t function as expected.
Disconnect the backup battery if necessary and attempt to unplug and plug in the garage door opener from power. Replace the logic board if the error codes don’t clear.
- 2 Up – 3 Down (2-3) =Logic board component failure, the garage door opener doesn’t function as expected.
Disconnect the backup battery if necessary and attempt to unplug and plug in the garage door opener from power. Replace the logic board if the error codes don’t clear.
- 2 Up – 4 Down (2-4) = Logic board component failure, the garage door opener doesn’t function as expected.
Attempt to unplug and plug in the garage door opener. Replace the logic board if the error codes don’t clear.
- 2 Up – 5 Down (2-5) = Logic board component failure, the garage door opener doesn’t function as expected.
Attempt to unplug and plug in the garage door opener. Replace the logic board if the error codes don’t clear.
- 3 Up – 2 Down (3-2) = Opener experienced a power outage and needs to locate the travel location, the garage door opener recently lost power.
Check outlet for power. Run the opener open and close to clear the error code.
- 3 Up – 3 Down (3-3) = Logic board component failure. Battery over voltage is detected, the battery indicator light on the garage door opener flashes green constantly.
Replace logic board.
- 3 Up – 5 Down (3-5) = Cable Tension Monitor tripped or not detected. The garage door begins to close and reverses to the open limit or the garage door does not move and remains in the open position. Wi-Fi RJOs will flash the work light 5 times after fully reversing if installed.
Cable Tension Monitor is not installed: Install cable tension monitor.
Roller on the wall side of cable: Place roller over cable.
Broken cable tension monitor wire: Identify cut or broken wire, repair or replace the wire.
Cable Tension Monitor detects slack in the cable:
- Reset open limit to allow more of the bottom door panel in the vertical track. Ensure there is enough room for the door to open enough for the car to the enter garage.
- Lift back hangs 1 to 2 holes.
- Install cable keepers.
- Install pusher springs.
- Replace the cable tension monitor.
- 4 Up – 1 Down (4-1) = Unforeseen change in RPM or DC Motor current while traveling in the DOWN direction. The garage door reverses off the garage floor and returns to the open position or the garage door stops and reverses before touching the garage floor and returns to the open position.
- The down limit set too far: Reprogram travel and force adjustments.
- Belt Slip: Install Belt Retaining Cap.
- RJO Shaft Collar Slippage: Tighten Shaft Collar.
- Loose Travel Module Drive Gear: Remove cover, locate gear that turns travel module, tighten set screws.
- Uneven Garage Floor: Reprogram travel and force adjustments or repair garage floor.
- Obstruction in the path of the garage door: Remove the obstruction and ensure door reinforcement isn’t damaged.
- Garage door out of balance (Too Heavy):Rebalance the garage door.
- Broken Torsion Spring: Replace Broken Torsion Spring(s).
- Worn Rollers: Lubricate, repair or replace rollers.
- Worn/Broken Hinges: Lubricate, repair or replace hinge(s).
- Garage Door is out of alignment: Realign Garage Door (Plumb).
- Worn Bearing in Bearing Plate(s):Lubricate or replace bearing plate(s).
- Loose Travel Module Drive Gear (RJO):Remove cover, locate gear that turns travel module, tighten set screws.
- Loose Travel Module Assembly: Check mounting tabs/screws to ensure a snug fit between module and motor/bracket.
- Loose Travel Module Wire(s):Check connection points to ensure a snug fit. Repair or replace Wire Harness.
- Grease or debris in the travel module: Open travel module, clean windows in wheels.
- 4 Up – 2 Down (4-2) = Unforeseen change in RPM or DC Motor current while traveling in the UP direction. The garage door stops before reaching fully open position.
- Obstruction in the path of the garage door: Remove the obstruction and ensure door reinforcement isn’t damaged.
- Garage Door out of balance (Too Heavy): Rebalance the garage door.
- Broken Torsion Spring: Replace Broken Torsion Spring(s).
- Worn Rollers: Lubricate, repair or replace rollers.
- Worn/Broken Hinges: Lubricate, repair or replace hinge(s).
- Garage Door is out of alignment: Realign Garage Door (Plumb).
- Worn Bearing in Bearing Plate(s): Lubricate or replace bearing plate(s).
- Up limit set too far and hit stop bolt: Check and install Belt Cap. Reprogram travel and force adjustments.
- Loose Travel Module Drive Gear (RJO): Remove cover, locate gear that turns travel module, tighten set screws.
- Loose Travel Module Assembly: Check mounting tabs/screws to ensure a snug fit between module and motor/bracket.
- Loose Travel Module Wire(s): Check connection points to ensure a snug fit. Repair or replace Wire Harness.
- 4 Up – 3 Down (4-3) = Loss of RPM during DOWN travel. The garage door stops and reverses before touching the garage floor and returns to the open position.
- Loose Travel Module Assembly: Check mounting tabs/screws to ensure a snug fit between module and motor/bracket.
- Loose Travel Module Wire(s): Check connection points to ensure a snug fit. Repair or replace Wire Harness
- 4 Up – 4 Down (4-4) = Loss of RPM during UP travel. The garage door stops before reaching fully open position.
- Loose Travel Module Assembly: Check mounting tabs/screws to ensure a snug fit between module and motor/bracket.
- Loose Travel Module Wire(s): Check connection points to ensure a snug fit. Repair or replace Wire Harness.
- RJO Emergency Release Engaged while traveling: Reconnect Emergency Release and open and close the door with the opener.
- 4 Up – 5 Down (4-5) = Unrecognized Travel Module. The garage door begins to close then reverses to the open position or the garage door does not move and remains at the open position.
Confirm proper travel module is installed. Replace it with the correct travel module if necessary.
- 4 Up – 6 Down (4-6) = A condition from Error Code 1-1 or 1-2 exists and the opener was commanded to close. The garage door starts in the fully open or stopped position and when the garage door begins to close, it reverses to the open position, or the garage door does not move and remains at the open position. The Garage Door Opener will not close, and the opener lights flash or click 10 times (if no Lights are installed you will hear the opener click while attempting to flash the lights).
Any garage door opener or replacement logic board manufactured after February 3, 2022, will no longer have this feature.
Review the status of the LED on the Sending (Amber) and Receiving (Green) Sensors to determine the most common resolutions.
Amber LED off, Green LED off
- Sensors not installed: Install the Safety Sensors
- Sensors not wired into opener: Connect wires at the opener properly
- Safety Sensor wires cut or broken to Sending Eye: Ensure wires are stripped back from insulation 7/16″ and perform a tug test to ensure the wires are seated properly. Identify cut or broken wire for the Sending Eye by performing a short wire test by wiring the safety sensors with a foot of wire. Replace wires if the sensors work or replace sensors.
- Safety Sensors wires are shorted: Check to see if the home is pre-wired, if so, make sure the same color wires are connected to sensors properly
- Safety Sensors wires are reversed at sensors (Pre-Wired Home):Check wires at each sensor, verify colors connected to sensors white and black.
- Safety Sensors wires are reversed at Opener (Pre-Wired Home):Check wires at the opener, verify is pre-wired the correct wires are connected properly.
- Safety Sensors wires are shorted: Check for staples in wires. Perform a short wire test by wiring the safety sensors with a foot of wire, replace wires or sensors.
Amber LED on Solid, Green LED off
- Sensors Obstructed: Remove obstruction between the Safety Sensors.
- Sensors Not Aligned: Realign the Safety Sensors. The Receiving (Green) Sensor should be on solid to indicate they are aligned
- Safety Sensor wires cut or broken to Receiving Eye: Ensure wires are stripped back from insulation 7/16″ and perform a tug test to ensure the wires are seated properly. Identify cut or broken wire for the Receiving Eye by performing a short wire test by wiring the safety sensors with a foot of wire. Replace wires if the sensors work or replace sensors.
Amber LED on Solid, Green LED flickering
- Sensors Obstructed: Remove obstruction between the Safety Sensors
- Sensors Not Aligned: Realign the Safety Sensors. The Receiving (Green) Sensor should be on solid to indicate they are aligned
- 5 Up – 5 Down (5-5) = Opener receives an unattended open or close command and myQ Work Light is not installed/programmed. The garage door does not move, remains at an open or closed position.
Remote light not installed/programmed to garage door opener. Install and program the remote light to the garage door opener.
If you have any questions, concerns or comments on how we can help keep your Garage Door functioning smoothly please give The Wright Door Co. a call at 314-484-3667, 636-293-3007 or 618-698-8058. Delivering Quality You Expect, Service You Deserve is our Goal.