Quick Guide to Clearing Garage Door Opener Codes and Memory in 2026

When you clear your garage door opener’s codes and memory, it clears all remotes and keypad entries made so the opener is essentially reset. This is an essential step for security to ensure that only authorized devices can open your garage access. For this reason, you may want to clear the opener memory when moving into a new house, a remote is lost or stolen, tenants change, or following a break-in. We will discuss safety measures and have some instructions by brand and manufacturer for the big three: LiftMaster, Chamberlain, and Genie, so you know you can reset your garage door opener safely and confidently.

Safety Before Proceeding with Clearing Memory

• Make sure the garage door is fully closed and that people and pets are well outside, away from the door and opener before preceding to avoid accidental injury. Make sure you are using a stable ladder to access the opener when needed.

• Avoid having children play with the opener or remotes. Do not use the wall control on the door or the remote to ‘clear’ the memory, instead press the ‘Learn’ button on the garage door opener unit instead.

• Do not forget that clearing memory will also remove all remotes and wireless keypads and vehicle buttons from the garage door opener. This means you need to have a plan to reprogram remotes after clearing the opener memory (you may want to leave an access point open in case the garage is the only entrance).

Avoid these mistakes and just follow instructions and you should be safely restoring your garage door opener safety. If you are ever unsure or your garage opener is not responding as expected you can hire a professional.

LiftMaster and Chamberlain Garage Door Openers

LiftMaster and Chamberlain (including Sears Craftsman) garage door openers have a similar way of deleting all memory of their remote control. These garage door openers have a “Learn” button on the opener motor (this is typically located near the antenna wire or just under the light cover. The Learn button as a colored button that is yellow, purple, red/orange or green).

To erase all remote codes from the opener please follow the steps below:

1. Locate the Learn Button - Locate the Learn or Learn/Program button on the garage door opener. It is usually located on the back or side of the motor unit. May have to remove the light bulb to access. ( Many Chamberlain/Liftmaster models have an LED light next to the learn button that will indicate what type of programming you do.)

2. Press & Hold the Type of button to Erase Codes - Press and hold the Learn button on the garage door opener for approximately 6 seconds until the small LED next to this button has turned off.  The LED light being turned off indicates that the opener has erased all memory of any remotes or keyless entries associated with it. Once the LED light turns off, you can release the button. 

3. Now that the LED has turned off, you are cleared – none of your old remotes or wireless keypads will work at this point. Now you can reprogram any remote control or keypad you wish to use again, by using the standard programming method for your model (typically press the Learn button and then the remote button).

To check your opener, use a remote that has been programmed before and make sure the opener now exclusively uses the programmed remote. A note of caution about Wi-Fi enabled units with myQ technology: even after erasing the remote codes, your myQ/app connection may still remain. Please refer to your openers manual to determine how to reset the wifi module or remove the device from previous owner's account if applicable. 

Genie Garage Door Openers

For Genie garage door openers, there are two common methods to clear the memory based on model/year:

• The newer Genie models (roughly 2012-present): new Genie openers have a specific Program button and Up/Down adjustment buttons located on the motor head. To clear remote/keypad codes, press and hold the Program button until the round LED turns blue. At that point let go of the Program button. Concurrently, press and hold both Up(+) and Down(-) arrow buttons until both LEDs are solid blue. The two-step process clears memory.

Finally, test the opener. None of your old remotes or PIN pads should cause the door to operate (You will need to reprogram your remotes/keypad to operate your door again). 

• Older Genie Intellicode models (1995-2011): Older Genie openers normally have a Learn Code button. To clear stored remote codes, press and hold the Learn Code button on the opener until LED indicator stops blinking. Once the light is off you can release the Learn Code button. This indicates memory has been cleared from remotes/keypads. You can test the employment of old remotes which should be non-functional post-clear and proceed to programming remotes as needed. 

Note: Genie/Overhead Door openers manufactured prior to 1995 may not even have an electronic memory (DIP switch remote codes). For older openers there is no "learn" button – you would just manually change the DIP switch codes on the opener and remote. If in doubt always check your model specific manual.

After Clearing Memory

Once memory has been cleared, reprogram your devices according to the manufacturer's instructions. Programming generally involves again pressing the learn button and pressing the remote button (or entering a new pneumatic code) to teach the opener the new code. Be sure to also re-pair built in car remote systems such as HomeLink or Car2U after clearing memory. When all devices are programmed, test devices to confirm that the garage door only opens/closes with the new codes.

Following this guidance, you should be able to clear your codes and memory from your garage door opener quickly and securely.

This should be straightforward with most modern openers if applicable. If your opener has not been mentioned or described then please refer to manufacturer's documentation, most companies use similar procedures (some variation of holding a learn/program button). 

As always, safety is the number one priority. If uncertain or feel unsure contact certified garage door technician professional.

With the steps above by 2026, American homeowners can feel confident that they cleared memories from their garage door openers.