How to change light bulb in overhead garage door opener

LED Light Bulbs For Your Garage Door Opener

What type of light bulb should you be using in your garage door opener? Have you ever wondered what having an LED light bulb could do for your garage? Look no further, because we have just introduced our first ever LED light bulb – specifically made for garage door openers.

Limiting operational interference

How to change light bulb in overhead garage door opener
​Most LED light bulbs interfere with garage door openers, limiting the range of the opener’s remote controls. However, our new LED light bulb has a unique design that shields the transmission of its energy waves from the radio frequency that goes between the remote and the opener. This means that our LED bulb is radio frequency friendly, allowing customers to open their garage door without experiencing operational issues. 

“Traditional LED light bulbs are becoming increasingly popular for use in garages, but many of them can unexpectedly cause the opener’s remote control to have decreased operating range” said Heather Meiner, brand manager for Overhead Door Corporation. “We’re thrilled to introduce our LED bulb because it will help ensure your opener and remote perform at their best, no matter what brand of garage door opener you have.” 


 Handles Tough Conditions in the Garage

Our LED light bulb is also designed and manufactured to handle the tough conditions garage doors often experience. It is shatter and vibration resistant, and is able to withstand 5G of shaking force, which is far more than the normal vibration from a garage door system. 

Additionally, a garage is often cold and damp, which can affect how long a light bulb lasts. However, our LED light bulb is made to withstand up to -30°C (-22°F), as well as many damp areas throughout a garage. 

Long Lasting Lighting and more energy savings

Finally, our LED light bulb provides optimal lighting at a low cost. While it has 800 lumens of brightness, our light bulb only uses 10 watts of power. Depending on local utility rates, that means that the annual cost can be as little as $1.07 per year and the lifespan can be about 25,000 hours for normal use. 
 

Where can you buy a light bulb for your garage door opener? 

​To purchase a replacement light bulb for your garage door opener, you can contact your local Overhead Door™ Distributor​, an authorized company for all of your Overhead Door™ garage door opener products.​​​

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How do I open the lens cover on my garage door opener to replace a bulb?

Last Updated 11/08/2022 01:30 PM

It depends on the model, but specific instructions are provided in your owner's manual.

On some models, like the TriloG™, IntelliG™, Excelerator®, and ReliaG™ 800 models: 

  1. Simply depress the two tabs that connect the lens cover to the top of the unit (chassis); the lens cover will swing open.
  2. Replace the bulb(s) with a service light bulb (follow guidelines in your owner’s manual for maximum wattage), and close the lens cover.

On other Genie® models, you will need a Phillips screwdriver.

  1. Remove the two screws (at the top) that attach the lens cover to the front panel.
  2. The lens cover will drop down like a hinge, while you change the bulb.
  3. Use a heavy-duty, rough service light bulb (follow guidelines in your owner's manual for maximum wattage).
  4. Realign the lens cover, and reattach the screws.

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How to change light bulb in overhead garage door opener

Light bulbs don’t last forever and replacing them can be a bit confusing. With a little knowledge in your tool kit, you can easily replace the light bulb in your garage door opener like a pro. Follow these steps to make sure you purchase the correct bulb and replace it safely.

What Kind of Light Bulb do I Need?

Light bulbs come in all shapes and sizes, and it can be overwhelming to know whether you’re choosing the right one.  When it comes to garage door openers, you can choose between two different bulbs:

  • Standard Incandescent Light Bulb (ILB)
  • Light Emitting Diode (LED)

Standard bulbs are the most reliable option for garage door openers and are the cheapest on the market. They’re so common, we can almost guarantee your garage door opener came with one already installed. We recommend standard bulbs as replacements for your garage door opener for many reasons. LED bulbs may be more energy efficient, but they can cause unnecessary problems that are outlined below. In order to avoid the headache, standard light bulbs are your best choice.

What About Wattage?

When replacing a light bulb, it’s also important to note the wattage that you’ll need. Most garage door openers have a sticker near the bulb that shows the maximum wattage your garage door opener can handle. Typically, most garage door openers do not exceed 100W. When purchasing a new bulb, check the packaging to make sure you’re getting one that matches what your garage door opener needs. The last thing you want to do is install a light bulb that is too powerful for your garage door opener.

How to Safely Replace the Light Bulb

Once you have a new bulb, it’s time to install it. Make sure you turn off the light switch and unplug the power source to your garage door opener if you can. Grab a ladder and set it securely underneath your garage door opener. Carefully climb up and gently pop off the plastic cover. Some garage door openers may have a few screws that need to be removed first. Once the cover is off, it’s as simple as unscrewing the old bulb and replacing it with a new one. Make sure you don’t screw the bulb on too tight — just turn the bulb until it stops rotating. Replace the cover, climb down and check your work. If done correctly, your new bulb should be shining victoriously.

A Note About LED Bulbs

As mentioned above, LED bulbs are not typically recommended for garage doors. These bulbs offer many perks including energy efficiency and increased life spans, but they can be tricky to use.

Garage door remotes use radio frequencies to communicate with your garage door. Unfortunately, LED bulbs emit a signal that can cause radio frequency interference (or RFI). Because of this, it’s not uncommon for your garage door remote to only work occasionally or if you’re right next to the garage door. Because of this, the standard recommendation is to avoid LED bulbs altogether.

If you still want to take advantage of the perks of using LED bulbs, there are a few on the market that are considered safe to use for garage door openers. Consider purchasing Liftmaster or Genie bulbs and look for the FCC compliance logo. This will assure that you’ve got the most effective LED brand for your garage door opener.

With these tips and tricks, you’ll be ready if the lights go out on your garage door opener. If you find yourself stumped, don’t hesitate to contact us or give us a call at 303-279-7324. We’re happy to help you troubleshoot and illuminate the solution for your garage door opener.

How do you remove the light cover on a garage door opener?

Grab a ladder and set it securely underneath your garage door opener. Carefully climb up and gently pop off the plastic cover. Some garage door openers may have a few screws that need to be removed first. Once the cover is off, it's as simple as unscrewing the old bulb and replacing it with a new one.

What kind of lightbulb goes in a garage door opener?

For electric garage door openers, it is much better to use LED lightbulbs because they last 25% longer than compact fluorescent bulbs and don't disrupt the communication signal between a door opener and its remote control.

Why is the light not working in my garage door opener?

If you have tried replacing the light bulb in your garage door opener, but the light still won't come on, it could be one of these three problems: contacts in the light socket, the light socket itself, or the logic board.