Are Garage Door Opener Keypads Universal?

are garage door opener keypads universal

If you have paid a little attention to garage door opener keypads, you’ll realize one thing – they all look identical, and that must have sparked your curiosity. At least it did spark mine when I noticed how similar they look. So it got me asking the question, are they universal? Will any garage door keypad work with any garage door opener? I did some research, and here is what I found.

Short answer, no. Garage door keypads are not universal. Most garage door brands make keypads that work with only their garage door openers. However, there is a keypad on the market, made by Chamberlain, that is universal. This garage door keypad is compatible with major brands of garage door openers.

Later in this article, we’ll discuss and review the Universal garage door opener keypads available, and how to program it to work with your garage door opener. Now let’s talk about the two main reasons why garage door opener keypads are not universal.

Why Garage Door Opener Keypads are not universal

Every purchase of a new garage door opener comes with a keypad. They are installed right outside your garage to allow easy access to your home. Just as we talked about in our post on garage door sensors, these rectangular devices come with features that are unique to every manufacturer. And that is what sets them apart from one another. However, these are the two main reasons why garage door openers are not universal.

1. Security Technology

The main reason garage door keypads are not universal is security. Since the release of wireless wall-mounted garage door keypads, manufacturers have been looking at ways to improve how secure keypads communicate with openers. Because these devices are wireless, hackers can easily sniff your unlocking code as it gets transmitted to the opener.

To fix this flaw, every manufacturer has developed a technology for their keypad that makes it close to impossible to hack. A typical example is Genie’s Intellicode technology. How does it work? Any time you enter the correct 4-digit pin code on your keypad, it sends out a different set of code to your opener, nullifying the old code. So even when a hacker is able to sniff that code, it will be pretty much useless. Chamberlain also has a similar technology that they call Security+ 2.0, which works like Genie’s Intellicode but with more advanced features.

In essence, every garage door opener brand has its way of dealing with security, which is why the keypad is not universal because they operate differently.

2. Difference in Frequencies

Back then, when all garage door keypads were wired directly to the garage door opener, this was no issue. Nowadays, as technology improved, garage door openers can receive a signal from keypads and remote controls through radio transmission.

The three main frequencies used by garage door openers for communicating to devices are 310, 315, and 390MHz. Most brands design their devices to communicate on one or two of these frequencies. For example, if your garage door opener accepts signals from 390Mhz, your garage door keypad and remote will be designed to send signals on 390Mhz. Some brands may choose to use 315Mhz. So the difference in frequencies makes garage door keypads not universal.

 Some brands, like Liftmaster, use all three frequencies for their openers, to improve security. Hence, their keypads can send open and close signals through all the frequencies.

How to find the right keypad for your garage door opener

If your garage door opener company is still in business, this will not be an issue. You will find replacement parts that are as good as the original part from the garage door opener’s manufacturer.

Visit your manufacturer’s website and look for the Accessories and Parts page. You will find a wide range of accessories, like remotes, battery backup, as well as keypads. Just go through the different options to find a replacement for your damaged keypad.

Another place to look is Amazon. Nowadays, almost every brand sells on Amazon, including garage door opener makers. The chances are that you will find the perfect replacement for your keypad. Here’s is a huge list of garage door keypads available in the market today. You’ll find keypads of every garage door brand that still makes replacements.

Some garage door opener brands are not in business anymore. If you own a garage door opener from one of those companies, finding a replacement keypad for your opener will be difficult. This is where the Universal garage door keypad comes in handy.

Universal Garage Door Opener Keypads

Universal garage door keypads are devices specially designed to work with most garage door openers. If you can’t find a replacement keypad for your garage door opener, this may be the best option you have. The most popular option available right now is the Chamberlain Clicker Universal Keyless Entry. Let’s take a closer look at it.

Chamberlain Clicker Universal Keyless Entry KLIK2U-P2

The Chamberlain Clicker Universal Keyless Entry (on Amazon) is one of the most sought after garage door keypads on the market right now. Chamberlain claims that this device is compatible with 90% of all garage door openers in North America. That is a huge claim if you ask me. We’ll get to why I think this may actually be true in a bit. For now, let’s talk about compatibility.

If you own any of the garage door openers made by the companies listed below, the Chamberlain Clicker Universal Keyless Entry will be compatible with it.

  • Chamberlain
  • Liftmaster
  • Craftsman
  • Genie
  • Overhead Door
  • Stanley
  • Linear
  • Moore-O-Matic
  • Master Mechanic
  • Wayne Dalton and
  • Do It garage door openers

This is quite an extensive list for a single device. Liftmaster, Chamberlain, and Genie are three of the biggest names when it comes to garage door openers. In the United States alone, Liftmaster and Genie garage door openers are estimated to be in 90% of homes with garages. The other brands also have their fair share of the US and all over North America. This is why I think their claim may be true because this keypad is compatible with all the big names of garage door openers.

Features

  1. Secure to use: This keypad comes with all the security features you’ll have in a standard garage door keypad. It offers secure encryption when transmitting a signal, making it hard for hackers to get access to your home
  2. Backlit Keyboard: This makes it extremely convenient to enter your code in the night. 
  3. Sliding Cover: Since the keypad is installed outside, it is exposed to sunlight, heavy rains, and extreme weather conditions. The sliding cover protects your keypad from damage and keeps it in good condition
  4. Easy to program: By following a simple step by step guide, you can get this keypad working with your garage door opener in a few minutes. 

How to Program the Chamberlain Clicker Universal Garage Door Keypad

Before you begin to program the keypad, you need to have your desired 4-digit pin code in mind. It helps speed up the process. You also need to know your Garage Door Opener ID. The Opener ID is used to change the keypad’s mode to work with your garage door opener. Check the table below to determine the Opener ID of your garage door opener.

IDGarage Door Opener Brand and Manufacturing Dates
1Linear garage door opener manufactured from 1997 to present
2Chamberlain, Sears Craftsman, Liftmaster, Master Mechanic, and Do It garage door openers manufactured from 1997 to 2004 [Orange/Red Button]
3Chamberlain, Sears Craftsman, Liftmaster, Master Mechanic, and Do It garage door openers manufactured from 2005 to present [Purple Button]
4Chamberlain, Sears Craftsman, Liftmaster, Master Mechanic, and Do It garage door openers manufactured from 1993 to 1996 [Purple Button]
5Genie Intellicode and Overhead Door manufactured from 2005 to present (315 MHz)
6Genie Intellicode and Overhead Door manufactured from 1995 to present (390 MHz)
7Stanley garage door openers manufactured from 1998 to present
8Chamberlain, Sears Craftsman, Liftmaster, Master Mechanic, and Do It garage door openers manufactured from 2011 to present [Yellow Button]
9Wayne Dalton garage door openers manufactured in 1999 to present

To program Clicker Universal garage door keypad by Chamberlain,

  1. Press and hold the * and # button together. The backlit keyboard will begin to flash
  2. Now enter your desired 4-digit pin code
  3. Press the # button to confirm your code.
  4. Press the number which corresponds with your Opener ID
  5. Press the # button again to confirm
  6. Press the Learn Button on your garage door opener
  7. Enter your 4-digit pin code
  8. Press 0 to enter. The lights on your garage door opener should flash. This confirms that the code has been received, and programming is successful.

Your garage door opener is now programmed to work with the universal garage door keypad. Now you can open and close your garage door using the keypad.     

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