Genie Garage Door Openers are popular for their convenience, ease of installation, and multi-brand compatibility. However, you’ll need to reprogram your Genie garage door opener if the remote control or keypad stops working or after replacing either device. This could be the original Genie device or a universal replacement.

Reprogramming your genie garage door opener involves clearing all programmed settings and syncing the opener again to the keypad or remote controls. However, the procedure and light indicators will vary slightly depending on the opener model.

We have provided you with a detailed guide on reprogramming your Genie garage door opener to your remote control, keypad, and car to maintain your home’s security.

What is Intellicode?

Intellicode Access Security System is Genie’s rolling code technology. It helps keep your garage door opener safe from hackers and unsuspecting neighbors using their garage door opener remotes to control your opener.

Every time you activate your Genie garage door opener, the Intellicode system picks a new code from billions of possible combinations. Therefore, it eliminates the possibility of hacking and prevents unauthorized entry.

But if your garage door opener is from before 1996, it uses a fixed code system. This means that the remote controls convey the same fixed security code every time you press the remote button.

Since the number of fixed codes is limited, this makes it easy for hackers to breach your garage door opener. Also, neighbors can accidentally operate your garage door opener if they use a remote with the same fixed code.  

Reprogramming the remote control to your Genie garage door opener

Genie makes a variety of remote controls compatible with the two types of garage door openers they also make. The following instructions are for the following Genie garage door opener models:

• PowerMax
• SilentMax
• ChainMax
• PowerLift
• TriloG
• IntelliG
• GPower

These openers have a large square programming button on the bottom of the opener, next to the up and down buttons. If you have a different Genie opener model, follow the reprogramming instructions in the owner’s manual.

Here’s how to reprogram a Genie three-button remote control.

Locate the learn button on the motor head

• Find the programming button on your Genie garage door opener. You may find this button near the antenna, but the location can vary depending on the model. Some models have three buttons on the control panel.
• The programming button is a large square button at the back of the motor head with two LED indicators next to it.
• If your garage door opener has no antenna, it has an external receiver. Thus, you’ll have to remove the cover to access the programming button and indicator light.
• For older models between 1995-2010, the programming button is labeled “Learn Code” or “Radio Signal,” while those for 2011 and later usually say “Program/Set.” Both buttons function similarly but have slightly different lighting sequences for each action.

Reset the garage door opener system

• When reprogramming your garage door opener, it’s best to start with a blank slate. Therefore, you have to reset the system. Resetting will disconnect all synced transmitters and clear all programmed settings.
• To reset your Genie garage door opener, push the programming button until the round LED light stops blinking. You have now deactivated your remote control.
• Press the previously active remote button; the garage door should not operate.

Program the remote control

• If you just replaced your remote control, you must confirm it is compatible with your Genie garage door opener. Press the remote button, and if the light under the powerhead blinks red, it’s compatible but not programmed to the opener.
• Set up your ladder to access the learn button on the powerhead.
• Press and hold the program button for at least 3 seconds or until the blue round LED lights up.
• When you release the programming button, the long purple LED light will start flashing next to the circular LED. Your garage door opener is now in programming or learning mode.
• Press and release one of the buttons on the remote control. The long purple LED light will stop flashing and turn solid purple. Note the remote button you pressed, as this will operate the garage door.
• Restart the garage door opener by pressing the remote button once again. The long purple LED and round button light will turn blue before going off. This indicates that your garage door opener has synced with your Genie Intellicode remote control.

Test the reprogramming

• Once the LED turns off, press and release the remote button again, and your garage door opener should respond accordingly.
• Repeat the above steps for each remote that you want to reprogram. Most Genie garage door openers can handle up to seven different remote controls.

Note that you have 30 seconds to perform each step. If the opener’s LED lights flash red, you’ve run out of time, and you’ll have to repeat the procedure. That’s why keeping your eyes on the indicator lights during the programming process is important to ensure you’re on the right track.

Reprogramming the wireless keypad to your Genie garage door opener

The programming procedure for the Genie wireless keypads varies with models. Here’s how to program your Genie garage door opener to your keypad. The following instructions work for the latest GWKIC and ACSDG Intellicode keypads. These are black with a slide-up cover labeled “Intellicode” on the cover.

Reset the keypad

• Open the cover halfway, then press and hold the program and the number 8 buttons simultaneously. The LED light will blink once and then turn off.
• Fully close the cover to reset the Genie keypad.

Reprogram the keypad

• Open the cover fully until it latches. The indicator light will flash once and then go off.
• Press the numbers 3, 5, and 7 and the program button simultaneously. The round LED will start flashing red.
• While the red light is flashing, enter your PIN and press the keypad program button.
• Close the cover. Your keypad is now in programming mode and ready to sync with the Genie garage door opener.
• Press and release the Learn button on the motor head, and the Learn code indicator will flash for 30 seconds.
• While this happens, open the keypad cover fully, enter the PIN again on your keypad, and press “Send” twice. This allows your system to take the frequency.
• Press “Send” four more times or until your garage door moves. 

Reprogramming your Genie garage door opener to your car

If you installed a new Genie garage door opener or changed cars, you’ll have to reprogram your opener to your car. You can use HomeLink or Car2U to operate the opener from your car. These in-car systems feature a 3-button panel on your visor or the ceiling above the center console and run on your car’s electrical system.

Fortunately, Genie garage door openers are compatible with both HomeLink and Car2U. Here’s how to program a Genie garage door opener to your car:

Programming HomeLink to the Genie opener

The HomeLink system in your car will have a house icon on it.

• Press the program button on your opener’s powerhead until the round blue LED turns on.
• After you release the button, the long purple LED will start flashing.
• Within 30 seconds, choose a button on the HomeLink button and press it for two seconds, then release it.
• Press the same HomeLink button for another two seconds.
• When your release the button, the long LED will flash blue and goes out.
• Press the HomeLink button several times to activate the garage door opener.

Programming Car2U to the Genie opener

The Car2U system has default button settings, they include:

• Button 1 – Genie openers
• Button 2 – Liftmaster openers
• Button 3 – Wayne Dalton openers

• Push buttons 1 and 3 for 20 seconds until all LED lights start flashing.
• Release both buttons, and now your Car2U system is reset.
• Press and hold the program button on your opener’s motor head.
• When the round LED turns on, release the button.
• The long purple LED will start flashing to indicate the system is in programming mode.
• Within 30 seconds, press button 1 for two seconds and release.
• Press that Car2U button again for two seconds. The long LED will flash blue and go out.
• Press the Car2U button a few times to activate the garage door opener, and the garage door should move.

To program your Genie opener to your car properly, we recommend having someone help on the opener or in the car, as you only have 30 seconds to sync both systems.

Conclusion

With the above steps, you can now reprogram your Genie garage door opener for maximum convenience and usability. We recommend observing the lights while programming to guide you through the procedure. Also, ensure the garage door pathway is clear of any obstructions, such as toys, objects, or pets.