Garage door openers today are more than just machines that open and close your garage door. Many models, including those from Craftsman, feature built-in lights that turn on automatically when the door is operated. These lights can help improve visibility and safety, but for some homeowners, they can become a nuisance—especially if they turn on unnecessarily, stay on too long, or simply aren’t needed.
If you’ve ever wondered how to turn off light on Craftsman garage door opener, you’re not alone. This guide covers every aspect of controlling, disabling, or adjusting your opener’s light settings—whether you’re looking to save electricity, reduce light pollution, or gain full control over your home automation system.
Why You Might Want to Turn Off the Light on Your Garage Door Opener
The built-in light on a Craftsman garage door opener is designed to automatically activate when the opener is in use or when motion is detected. However, you may want to disable or adjust it for several reasons:
- Energy savings: Especially if your opener light uses incandescent or halogen bulbs.
- Reducing unwanted illumination: Bright lights in attached garages can disturb bedrooms or disrupt sleep.
- Home automation compatibility: You may want full control over lighting through a smart home system.
- Personal preference: Some homeowners simply prefer a darker garage or don’t need the light at all.
Fortunately, Craftsman garage door openers offer settings and manual options that allow you to control the light behavior to meet your preferences.
Read too: Craftsman Garage Door Keypad Not Working? Here’s How to Troubleshoot and Fix It
How To Turn Off Light On Craftsman Garage Door Opener: Complete Instructions
Let’s dive into the exact steps to disable or modify your Craftsman opener’s light functionality. Depending on your model, the process may vary slightly, but the core instructions apply to most Craftsman ½ HP, ¾ HP, and 1 HP openers, including older models and newer smart garage systems.
Step 1: Identify Your Craftsman Garage Door Opener Model
Before you begin, it’s helpful to locate the model number of your opener. This will determine whether you can program the light manually, need a remote, or require access to smart app settings.
Where to find it:
- On the main housing of the opener (usually on a label near the light lens)
- Inside the Craftsman user manual
- On the remote control if it’s a smart-compatible model
If your opener was manufactured by Chamberlain (Craftsman’s parent company), the steps may resemble Chamberlain or LiftMaster procedures.
Step 2: Use the Wall Control Panel (If Available)
Most modern Craftsman garage openers include a multi-function wall console that allows you to adjust features like lighting time and auto-on behavior.
To turn off the automatic light feature:
- Locate the light button on the wall-mounted control panel.
- Press and hold the light button for 6–10 seconds until the LED flashes.
- Release the button when the light blinks or you hear a click. This disables the motion sensor or automatic lighting function.
In some models, you can toggle the light timer settings:
- Press the light button multiple times to cycle through 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, or 4.5-minute durations.
- Some newer models allow you to turn the timer off completely.
Pro Tip: On some models, you must press the “Light” button and “Lock” button simultaneously to enter programming mode.
Step 3: Disable the Motion Sensor (If Equipped)
Some Craftsman models have a motion-detection feature that automatically activates the light when someone walks into the garage.
To disable the motion sensor:
- Go to the wall control panel and look for a “motion sensor disable” switch or option.
- Slide it to “Off” or press and hold the corresponding button (based on model).
- Alternatively, if you’re using the Smart Control Panel, go into settings and turn off “Motion Detect Light”.
Step 4: Use Your Remote to Control the Light
If your remote or keypad includes a dedicated light button, it allows you to toggle the light on/off manually without affecting the garage door operation.
- Press the light button once to turn the light off.
- Press again to turn it back on.
Some remotes also allow you to reprogram light controls:
- Press the learn button on the garage opener motor (near the antenna).
- Within 30 seconds, press the remote light button until the garage light flashes or you hear a click.
This links the remote’s light button to the unit so you can control the lighting independently.
Step 5: For Smart Models – Use the myQ App
If you have a newer Craftsman smart garage door opener compatible with Chamberlain myQ technology, follow these steps:
- Open the myQ app on your smartphone.
- Tap your garage door opener from the devices list.
- Select “Lighting” or “Device Settings.”
- Toggle off “Light Turns On With Door Movement” or set your preferred duration.
This is one of the easiest and most customizable ways to manage lighting on modern Craftsman openers.
Step 6: Physically Remove or Replace the Light Bulbs
If you’re dealing with an older opener that doesn’t support electronic disabling or programmable features, the most straightforward way to turn off the light permanently is to remove the bulb.
Steps:
- Unplug the opener from the power outlet for safety.
- Remove the light lens cover (usually snaps or unscrews).
- Carefully unscrew the bulb(s) and store or dispose of them.
- Reattach the cover and restore power.
Tip: Consider replacing incandescent bulbs with LED garage-rated bulbs to reduce power consumption if you’re concerned about energy usage, even if you leave them on.
Step 7: Reset to Default (If You Want to Re-Enable the Light)
At any time, you can reset your Craftsman opener to default settings:
- Press and hold the Learn button on the opener motor for 6–10 seconds until the light flashes.
- This will erase all remote and keypad programming, including any custom light behavior.
- Re-pair your devices as needed and reset lighting preferences.
This is useful if something isn’t working correctly or you’ve inherited a garage system with unknown settings.
Troubleshooting Light Control Issues
Even when you follow the steps correctly, you might run into a few issues. Here’s how to troubleshoot:
| Issue | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Light won’t turn off | Stuck relay, sensor malfunction | Try resetting the unit or disabling motion sensor |
| Wall panel not responding | Power loss or wiring fault | Check circuit breakers and connections |
| Light stays on constantly | Timer set to max or faulty control board | Reset or call technician |
| Remote won’t control light | Not properly paired | Reprogram using Learn button |
If the problem persists, contact Craftsman support or a certified garage door technician.
Energy-Efficient Alternatives
If your goal is energy savings, here are some ways to reduce light consumption:
- Switch to LED bulbs rated for garage door openers (vibration-resistant and low-wattage).
- Install a motion sensor LED light bar separately and bypass the built-in light.
- Use myQ smart scheduling to ensure lights only turn on when needed.
These methods help you customize lighting behavior while reducing electric bills and extending bulb life.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know exactly how to turn off light on Craftsman garage door opener, you can take control of your garage lighting for better comfort, efficiency, and convenience. Whether you’re disabling automatic features, programming light timers, or integrating with smart systems, Craftsman openers give you flexible options.
If you’ve been annoyed by a garage light that won’t shut off or one that turns on at the wrong times, this guide offers everything you need to tailor your system to your lifestyle.