Craftsman remains to be among the most trusted garage door opener brands for a very long time.

However, even with top-quality garage door openers like Craftsman, they will occasionally get stuck, fail to operate correctly, or parts will wear down from regular use. Read on to learn some troubleshooting tips and how to operate the garage door opener efficiently.

How to operate your Craftsman Garage door opener

• Activate your garage door opener with the following devices:
• Hand-held Remote Control: Press the large push button down until the door starts to move.
• Wall-mounted Door Control: Press the push button or bar down until the door begins to move.
• Keyless Entry: If provided with your garage door opener, you must program it before using the steps below.
  • Press the Learn button on the opener’s motor unit. The Learn indicator light will flush steadily for
  •  30 seconds.
  • Then quickly enter a four-digit personal identification number(PIN) of your choice on the keypad. Then press and hold the Enter button.
  • Release the Enter button when the motor unit lights blink. The motor has learned the code. If you have the light bulbs, you will hear two clicks from the motor.
• When you press the push button on the hand-held remote control;
• If open, the door will close. If closed, it will open.
• In closing, the door will reverse.
• If opening, the door will stop.
• If the door stops in a partially open position, it will close.
• If obstructed while closing, the door will reverse. If the obstruction interrupts the sensor beam, the opener lights will blink for five seconds.
• If there is an obstruction while opening, the door will stop.
• If the door is fully open, the door will not close when the beam is blocked. The sensor does not affect the door’s opening cycle.
• If the sensor is not installed on the door or is misaligned, the door won’t close with the hand-held remote.
• However, you can close the door using the wall-mounted door control, the outdoor key switch, or Keyless Entry. Press the buttons on these controls until the closing cycle is complete. If you release them too soon, the garage door will reverse.
• The garage door opener lights will turn on under the following conditions:
• When you initially plug the opener to power.
• When power comes back after an interruption.
• When you activate the door opener.
• The lights will stay on constantly when the light feature on the Motion Detecting Control console is activated.
• The opener lights automatically turn off after four and a half minutes.
• The security light will turn on when someone walks through the open garage door. With the premium control console, you can switch off this feature as follows; press and hold the light button until the light goes on and then off again. To restore the security feature, turn the lights on, press and hold the light button until it goes off, and then switch it on again.

How to use the  wall-mounted premium control console

Lighted push button

• Press the lighted push button to close and open the garage door.
• Press the button again to reserve the door during the closing cycle or stop the door during the opening cycle.

Light feature

• Press the light button to turn the garage door opener on or off. However, the light button will not work when the door is in motion.
• When you turn on the light button and activate the opener, the light will stay on for about 4-1/2 minutes. Press the light button to turn the light off sooner.
• You can change how long you want the light on to 1-1/2, 2-1/2, or 3-1/2 minutes as follows:
• Long-press the Lock button until the light blinks. A single blink means that the timer has reset to 1-1/2 minutes.
• Press and hold the lock button again, and the light will blink twice, resetting the timer to 2-1/2 minutes.
• Repeat the process for a 3-1/2 minute interval, and the light will blink thrice, up to the maximum of four blinks, to reset the time interval to 4-1/2 minutes.

Lock feature

• This feature prevents you from operating the garage door with the hand-held remote controls, and the door will only activate from the door control, outdoor key switch, and the key-less entry accessories. To engage this lock feature, long-press the lock button for about two seconds and the push button light will flash when the lock feature is on.
• To deactivate the lock feature, press and hold the lock button for about two seconds, and the push light button will stop flashing.
• The lock feature will always automatically turn off whenever the learn button activates.

How to program the keyless entry using the wall-mounted door control.

• Enter a four-digit personal identification number (PIN) of your choice on the keypad. Then press
• and hold Enter.
• While holding the Enter button, press and hold the Light button on the
• wall-mounted control and then simultaneously press the push button on the wall-mounted control.
• Let go of the buttons when the motor unit lights blink. It has learned the code. If you have not installed the light bulbs, you will hear two clicks.

Is there a reset button on a Craftsman garage door opener?

Yes, the reset button is a round or square button on the backside of the opener’s main motor unit. In some models, the Learn button is above the antenna wire from the motor unit.

How do I reset my garage door opener?

• Press the Learn button on the motor unit and release it after a few seconds. The Learn indicator light will glow steadily for about 30 seconds and then wait for the light to turn off.
• Within 30 seconds, reprogram the hand-held remote control. Press and hold the button on the hand-held remote that you wish to operate your garage door.
• When the motor unit lights blink, let go of the button on the hand-held remote. The motor has learned the code. If you have the light bulbs, you will hear two clicks from the motor.

To reset all devices, including MyQ-enabled accessories:

• Press and hold the Learn button on the opener’s motor for about 6 seconds until the learn LED goes out.
• Press and hold the Learn button again until the Learn LED goes out. The motor will delete all the codes from the opener’s memory. Reprogram any accessory you wish to use.

What does it mean when the garage door opener is blinking

The Craftsman garage door opener has self-diagnostic abilities. The opener can detect problems and communicate through a variety of error codes. The chart below decodes all the error codes of the Craftsman garage door opener.

Error codes	Symptom	Possible Fixes
1 flash2 flashes	One or both of the indicator lights on the safety sensors do not have a steady glow.	Check the sensor wires for short. Fix any wiring issues like the black and white wire connections, replace or reconnect any damaged or disconnected wiring. Disconnect all the wires from the motor unit. Remove sensors from the brackets and shorten the wires at the back of the sensor to 1-2 ft(30-60cm). Reconnect the sending eyes on the motor unit with shortened wires. When the indicator light on the sending eye glows steadily, attach the receiving eye. Realign the sensors; if the sensor indicator lights do not light, replace the sensor.
3 flashes	The LED on the door control is off.	Inspect the door control wires for any short and replace them as required. Disconnect the wires at the door control and touch the wires together. If the opener motor activates, replace the door control wiring as required.
4 flashes	The indicator light on the sending indicator glows steadily while the receiving indicator light is dim or flashing.	Realign the receiving eye, clean the lens, and secure the brackets tightly. Ensure the door track is firmly secured to the wall and does not move.
5 flashes	The motor is overheated or does not run; the trolley jams on the stop bolt; the motor hums when it’s operating. The motor has a short travel of about 6-8 inches.	Reset the motor unit. Operate the opener and check for the error code. If the indicator light is still flashing five times and the motor has a short travel of 6-8 inches, replace the RPM sensor.If the motor unit refuses to activate, it is overheated. Switch it off from power for about 30 minutes and try it again. If the motor still doesn’t work, replace the logic board in the motor unit.
6 flashes	The opener’s motor does not work	Replace the logic board.

Why does my craftsman garage door opener just click when I try to close it?

A clicking noise coming from your garage door opener or the motor indicates a problem with some parts of the opener; here are the issues that would cause the opener to click when closing.

Damaged logic board

When the opener clicks or flashes 1-2 times, the logic board is damaged. The logic board is a component in the motor unit that holds all the internal circuitry of the garage door opener. Bad weather (especially with damaged weather flashing) or a power surge can damage the logic board. The easiest solution is to have a professional technician replace the logic board. If you do not get a logic board of a similar opener model, you may have to replace the entire motor.

Sensor issues

The safety reversing sensors are near the floor on opposite sides of the garage door entryway to detect any obstacles in the path of its electronic beam. The garage door will click and also not close if there is a problem with the sensors. Inspect both the receiving and sending eyes for any short wiring, wrong wire connection. Check for any misalignment or loose screws on the brackets. Remove any hindrances that could be in the doorway. It would help if you also cleaned the lens on the sensors to remove any rust, debris or dirt that could be obstructing the beam.

Security lock

When the wall-mounted control lock gets stuck on locked mode, the opener will continuously click and blink. To disengage the security lock feature, press and hold the lock button for about two seconds, and the push light button will stop flashing.

Worn out garage door rollers

Door rollers are the most used parts of the garage door. Therefore, they are prone to wear over time. Door rollers have a lifespan of about 10,000-15,000 cycles when well maintained, and if you open and close the garage door about three to four times a day, your door rollers will last approximately six to seven years. Worn-out door rollers do not slide smoothly, causing a clicking sound during the opening or closing cycles. Replace your rollers when they show signs of wear. Maintain the rollers for longer through regular lubrication and annual maintenance.

Craftsman garage door opener won’t close all the way

The most common reason that prevents the opener from closing all the way is incorrect adjustment during installation. Below are more reasons that can stop your garage door from closing completely.

Check the sensors

When your garage door does not close all the way, there could be a problem with the sensors. The sensors prevent the door from closing when they detect an obstacle in the doorway.  Dirt may clog the sensors and cause a false signal across the tracks. Clean them regularly with a soft, lint-free cloth. Realign the sensors and make sure the beams meet each other and secure the brackets to prevent them from moving from their position. Verify the black and white wiring was done correctly and replace any damaged or short wires.

Check the tracks and rollers for sticking and binding.

Inspect the tracks and rollers for any bends and damages. Crooked tracks and damaged rollers will not allow the garage door to close completely. If you notice any bends on the tracks, use a hammer and camps to straighten it or call a garage door technician.

For the rollers, replace them and lubricate them with white lithium or silicone-based grease.

Check the trolley

The trolley is the mechanism that pulls the opener arm to lift the garage door. The trolley has a rope that hangs down, which disengages and reengages the opener. Try moving the door manually, and if it moves, it means the door is on bypass mode. Bypass mode disengages the garage door opener and indicates the door will close even if there is an obstacle in the doorway. Remove the door from bypass mode, activate the garage door opener, and the trolley will latch back and allow the garage door to close correctly.

Adjust the limit screws.

Inspect the limit screws and adjust them accordingly. The limit screws set the point at which the garage door will stop moving up or down. Readjust the screws and test the drop of the garage door.

How and when to adjust the garage door opener limits.

• Locate the limit screws on the left panel of the motor unit.
• If the garage door opens at least five feet from the ground, use a screwdriver to turn the Up clockwise limit screw. One complete turn of the screw equals two inches of travel of the door.
• If the door does not close completely, turn the down limit screw counterclockwise.

Adjust the force settings

Over time, weather, dampness, and corrosion change the condition of the tracks and rollers, which also affects the opening and closing cycles of your Craftsman garage door opener just as it would affect a Chamberlain opener. You need to increase or decrease the opener’s force to compensate for these changes on the tracks and rollers. The force setting is the power that controls the drop and rise of the garage door.   

How and when to adjust the force

• Locate the force adjustment screws on the right panel of the motor unit.
• If the door is difficult to hold or doesn’t reverse, decrease the down (close) force by turning the control counterclockwise. Make minor adjustments until the door reverses appropriately.
• If the door reverses during the down cycle and the opener lights aren’t flashing, increase the closing force by turning the control clockwise. Make minor adjustments until the door completes a close cycle.  
• If the door is difficult to hold or doesn’t stop, decrease the up (open) force by turning the force control counterclockwise.
• If the door doesn’t open at least five feet, increase the up force by turning the control clockwise.

How do I know if my garage door sensor is bad?

Before troubleshooting your defective sensors, you have to know the signs to look out for. Here are a few signs to help you identify faulty sensors.

Light indicators

One of the easiest ways to tell if you have and the sensor is the blinking LED light on the sensors. The green lights mean the sensors are working correctly, whereas red lights indicate the sensors are misaligned. Inspect the bracket and ensure the sensors sit well, and then tighten the screws to hold them in place.

Dirty lenses

The sensor lenses are prone to be clogged with dirt, smoke, spiderwebs due to their position on the tracks. Dirty lenses will fail to operate, and you will have issues with running the garage door. Wipe the lenses with a clean cotton cloth regularly to help your door function properly. A garage fan blowing around the lenses without a filter could make dust, lint, and debris accumulate around the lenses.

Damaged wires

There are electrical wires that connect the sensors to the motor unit. The wires can become damaged from wear and tear due to regular use, effects of heavy rain and wind, and pest infestations. Replace the damaged wires.

Craftsman garage door opener troubleshooting, the light stays on

Usually, the opener light will stay on for about four and a half minutes after you open the garage door. So when the light refuses to switch off, it indicates that there is a problem. Here is how to troubleshoot an opener light that won’t shut off.

The light feature is engaged

You may have accidentally switched on the light feature on the wall-mounted door control for the opener lights to stay on for longer than usual. If you want to switch off the light, simply press and release the light button.

Triggered sensors

The opener lights will turn on when the motion sensors are triggered. If you have been walking in and out of the garage several times, the sensors will detect constant movement, and the light will not switch off. If you want to disengage the sensors temporarily:

1. Turn off power the garage door opener from its power outlet.
2. Loosen the screws and lift the sensors from the brackets.
3. Use wire cutters to cut about one inch of the black and white wires from the sensor.

The sensors are a safety mechanism; therefore, we do not advise using your garage door without working sensors. To reconnect the sensors, strip the plastic cover from the black wire and attach them to the black sensor’s wire. Repeat the same on the white wire and cover with some electrical tape. Insert the sensors into the brackets and tighten the screws.

How to troubleshoot the opener light that won’t switch off

If the light still does not go off, here are some troubleshooting tips to help you determine the problem.

• Reset the light timer to its lowest setting to 1-1/2 minutes.
• Press and hold the Lock button on the wall-mounted door control until the light blinks. A single blink means that the timer has reset to 1-1/2 minutes.
• Disconnect the garage door opener from power and remove the wall-mounted door control wires.
• Reconnect the power to the motor unit only and stand away from the sensors. The light feature should switch on. Let the light interval of 1-1/2 minutes cycle off.
• If the light switches off after 1-1/2 minutes, there is a problem with the wall-mounted door control or its wiring.
• Disconnect power from the unit. Remove door control from the wall; connect to an operator with a short pair of wires. Reconnect to power only. The opener light should turn on. Allow 1-1/2 minutes for light to cycle off. If the light turns off, it’s a wiring issue. If not, you should replace the wall-mounted door control.
• If the light does not go off, the logic board in the motor unit has an issue. Replace the motor’s logic board.

Craftsman garage door opener troubleshooting the safety reversing sensor

If the sending eye indicator light does not flash steadily after installation, check for:

• Electric power to the opener. The sensors should receive sufficient power from the motor unit. Replace any short circuit or damaged wire at the power outlet.
• A short in the white or black wires. Power surges and heavy storms can cause a short circuit at the staples or the opener connections. Use a multimeter and test for continuity, and replace the wires as required.
• Incorrect wiring between sensors and opener. The white wire should connect to the white and black wire to black.
• A broken wire. Pests and bad weather can damage sensor wires. Replace the wires as required.

If the sending eye indicator light is steady, but the receiving eye indicator light doesn’t:

• Check the alignment of both sensors. Adjust the sensors until the bean light touches the opposite sensor’s lens and then tighten the brackets.
• Look for an open wire to the receiving eye and replace it.

If the receiving eye indicator light is dim, realign either sensor.

When the beam’s path is obstructed or misaligned while the door is closing, the door will reverse. If the door is open, it will not close, and the opener lights will blink ten times.

Craftsman Wi-Fi garage door opener troubleshooting

Troubleshooting your smart garage door opener will depend on the number of beeps from the opener and the color of the LED indicator light is flashing. Use the error code chart to fix any issues with the internet connection.

LED light	Number of beeps	Troubleshooting
LED light is off, no blinking or flashing	No beep	Ensure that you enter the correct password. Make sure the opener is receiving power. Verify that the internet router connects to power. Reset the opener and reconnect it to your home’s Wi-Fi.
Blinking blue	No beep	Verify your router’s password. Move the Wi-Fi router closer to the garage door opener. Reset your opener and connect the opener to the router again.
Solid blue	No beep	Turn off the feature in your smartphone to automatically change the internet settings between Wi-Fi and mobile data. Make sure your Wi-Fi is on the 2.4 GHz network. Disconnect power from your garage door opener and plug it in again. Reset the opener.
Blinking blue and green	One beep	Power-cycle your router by disconnecting it from power and then reconnecting it. Ensure the MAC address filtering on your router is enabled. Reset your router my long pressing the reset button.
Blinking green	Two beeps	Reboot your opener by turning off the power to the power and reconnecting it. Power cycle the router or modem and wait for a solid green LED light. If you have a firewall installed, ensure the TCP port 8883 is open or contact your router’s company for support.
Solid green	Three long beeps	The myQ device properly connects to your home’s Wi-Fi network and is communicating with the myQ server. It indicates that your opener is online.

Conclusion

The Craftsman garage door openers are very durable, but this article will make troubleshooting any issues very straightforward. You can always consult a garage door technician when it comes to more complex fixes. Keep in mind that regular maintenance work on the garage door opener will reduce the frequency of breakdowns.