Why this matters: Your garage-door remote is a form of access to your property. If it disappears from a vehicle, it may no longer be safe to assume only you can open the door.
1. Treat a missing remote like a missing key
If the device was lost or stolen, protect your home and consider changing or clearing authorized remote access promptly. Consult the specific opener manufacturer’s instructions, since security and reset procedures differ by model.
2. Review every device that can open the door
Older handheld remotes, vehicle-integrated controls, smart-home access, wireless keypads and shared user permissions may all need to be checked. When replacing an opener or changing access, verify who and what is still paired.
3. Keep your interior garage-to-home door secure
Keep the entry between the garage and your home locked when appropriate. Avoid leaving access devices visible in parked cars, especially when vehicle registration or address information is nearby.
4. Do not compromise emergency safety systems
Never disable or obstruct the required emergency-release mechanism or other safety features to keep someone out. Garage-door equipment must remain safely operable during emergencies.
5. Call for model-specific help
An experienced technician can identify your opener model, explain how its remotes and keypad work, and assist with access-control updates without damaging the door or defeating safety systems.
Editor’s note: This is an original Tolbert Garage Door homeowner guide drafted in 2026 using an older reporting source. It is not a newly reported 2026 CBS news story. Specific recommendations depend on manufacturer and model.