2022 Changes to Chamberlain & LiftMaster Garage Door Openers

In 2022, LiftMaster and Chamberlain openers are going through the most drastic changes we have seen in recent years. LiftMaster has introduced four new units to replace many of their existing models and the Chamberlain Group is going through a patent infringement lawsuit with The Overhead Door Company. Let’s take a look at some of these changes so we can try to make sense of it all.

2022 Changes to the LiftMaster Opener Lineup

All the new 2022 LiftMaster opener models released have some standard features in common. Every unit will come equipped with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, MyQ Connectivity, DC motors with soft start/stop, and LED lighting integrated into the unit. Every unit also features MyQ Diagnostics which allows you to quickly diagnose an issue with your garage door opener in the MyQ app. Let’s take a closer look at each model so we can see what makes each unit unique.

2022 LiftMaster Opener Comparison Chart

This LiftMaster comparison chart is really helpful at breaking down all the features on the new LiftMaster garage door openers. One of the more helpful sections is at the bottom where it says “Model Being Replaced”. This helps you quickly identify which older model of LiftMaster garage door opener is being replaced by the newer model.

LiftMaster 87504-267 Garage Door Opener

The 87504-267 is the top of the line opener offered by LiftMaster in 2022. This unit features an integrated 1080p night vision camera that can be manually tilted and rotated 360 degrees so you can choose where the camera is pointing. This unit also features 2-way audio so you can communicate in real time between your garage and your smartphone.

Specifications

• 1080p integrated camera
• Battery Backup
• Belt drive
• 2,000 lumens integrated LED light
• Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and MyQ Connectivity
• DC Motor with soft start/stop
• Motion-detection light activation
• Timer to close
• Replaces older LiftMaster models 85503-267, WLED, and 8550WLB

LiftMaster 87802 Garage Door Opener

The LiftMaster 87802 garage door opener is their new heavy duty chain drive unit that is designed for the heaviest garage doors. This unit features a special I-Beam rail that can handle heavy carriage house wood and reinforced high-wind garage doors. If you are looking for the heaviest duty residential opener on the market, this is it. Very few garage door openers have a rail built to the specifications of this unit, and this unit is the only newer model compatible with LiftMaster’s 841LM auto garage door lock.

Specifications

• No camera
• Battery Backup
• Chain drive
• I-Beam rail
• 2,000 lumens integrated LED light
• Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and MyQ Connectivity
• DC Motor with soft start/stop
• Motion-detection light activation
• Timer to close
• Auto garage door lock compatible
• Replaces older LiftMaster model 8580WLB

LiftMaster 84602 Garage Door Opener

The LiftMaster 84602 chain drive garage door opener is going to look identical to the 84501 unit. This is their standard chain drive unit that features battery backup which makes it compliant in California. This unit along with the 84501 feature 1,500 lumens integrated LED lighting versus the 2,000 lumens found on the higher priced units.

Specifications

• No camera
• Battery Backup
• Standard chain drive
• 1,500 lumens integrated LED light
• Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and MyQ Connectivity
• DC Motor with soft start/stop
• Replaces older LiftMaster model 8360WLB

LiftMaster 84501 Garage Door Opener

The LiftMaster 84501 is a standard belt drive garage door opener with no battery backup. The reason LiftMaster offers this unit is for anyone looking for a basic premium belt drive garage door opener with LED lighting. It features the same 1,500 lumens of lighting found on the 84602 model.

Specifications

• No camera
• No Battery Backup
• Belt drive
• 1,500 lumens integrated LED light
• Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and MyQ Connectivity
• DC Motor with soft start/stop
• Replaces older LiftMaster model 8355W

Chamberlain Group and Overhead Door Lawsuit

The Chamberlain Group, which manufacturers Chamberlain and LiftMaster garage door openers, is introducing changes to their lineup due to a “preliminary finding that Chamberlain Group products infringe certain patents of Overhead Door”. Overhead Door company owns the Genie brand of garage door openers, which is why they look so familiar.

These changes are in response to an Initial Determination (ID) from an Administrative Law Judge at the US International Trade Commission (ITC). I’m sure there is a lot more to come from this lawsuit, and this article will most likely need to be updated. In the meantime, let’s go over what’s changing in 2022 for Chamberlain and LiftMaster garage door openers.

Lights Will No Longer Blink Ten Times When Sensors are Obstructed

As garage door technicians, this was by far one of our favorite features. For as long as I can remember, Chamberlain and LiftMaster garage door openers would blink the light bulb ten times if the safety sensors were misaligned, obstructed, or a wire was broken. The unit would also make an audible clicking sound from the motor head, which was most likely a relay inside the unit.

With this new update, the light bulb will no longer flash. To diagnose a safety sensor issue on your garage door opener, you will need to refer to the buttons shaped as arrows on the back of the circuit board. The number of times the arrows flash will determine what issue you are encountering.

The chart above provides the diagnostic codes with explanations. For instance, if you see the up arrow blink once and the down arrow blink once, then the safety sensors are not installed, connected, or wires may be cut. All of these codes are specific to safety sensor issues and provide very detailed diagnostics for anyone having issues closing their garage door due to sensor related issues.

We have written a more extensive article as to why your garage door won’t close if you have landed on this article and are having those issues.

Lights Will No Longer Come on When Sensor Beam is Broken

This was always a fan favorite among many homeowners, and they were loyal to Chamberlain and LiftMaster openers because they preferred not to lose the feature. What this refers to is the light bulb coming on when the garage door was in the up position and someone would walk through the safety sensor beam. It was a way of activating the light quickly without having to walk over to the wall button. For the time being, this feature is going away. Whether it comes back, only time will tell.

Force and Travel Set Up Now Features Step Saver

This change is pretty simple. Previously, when setting the travel and force limits, you would have to press the up and down arrow to tell the garage door opener to learn the force setting for the garage door. Now, it goes into the force setting automatically after the travel limits are set. The video above has been provided by LiftMaster to demonstrate the new travel and force set up process.

Moving From TriBand to Single Frequency Remotes

Chamberlain and LiftMaster remotes will now move to a single frequency remote with Alternate Frequency Mode. The previous TriBand Radio System used 310 MHz, 315 MHZ, and 390 MHz. The new remotes included in the box will default to Security 2.0 315 MHz and allow you to switch to 390 MHz in the event you are having interference issues.

Accessories with Single and Alternate Frequency Modes

Accessories with an “MC” on the product label near the model number will allow you to switch from 315 MHz to 390 MHz because of the now incorporated Alternate Frequency Mode.

Accessories must have “MC” on the product for the ability to switch frequencies.

Openers with Single and Alternate Frequency Modes

Garage door openers compatible with Alternate Frequency Mode will have an “MC” on the product label near the model number. You can reset the frequency of a garage door opener by following the steps in the image above, provided by LiftMaster. After, your garage door opener will function on single frequency 390 MHz Security+ 2.0.

Tips for Avoiding Interference

In the image above, LiftMaster has provided some tips for avoiding remote interference with your garage door opener. The LED light bulb issue is probably the one we come across the most. We have written a more extensive article that goes into greater detail about garage door remote interference issues.

Remotes Have Been Tested

The screenshot above shows results The Chamberlain Group has listed for their remote controls that have been updated to single frequency. We can only hope the results are that good because their previous remotes had excellent range.

Minimal Impact to MyQ Accessories

Except for a 2-3 minute over the air update, the changes to MyQ accessories are mostly with documentation and the “MC” designation added to the SKU. The user experience should be the same familiar interface you have come to enjoy using daily. I know we do.

How Do You Know You Have an Updated Product?

All Chamberlain and LiftMaster product cartons will have an “MC” noted after the SKU number. The model number has not changed, but the UPC codes will be new. The image above shows where the “MC” designation will be on the box.

The products themselves will also have the designation “MC” noted after the model number on the unit. This is an easy way to tell if you have one of the newer products installed in your home.

Serviceability is the Same

All updates are backwards and forwards compatible. All “MC” remotes will work with all Security+ 2.0 garage door openers, and all updated logic boards are backwards compatible to the previous generation. There are no changes to warranties as a result of these changes.

Conclusion

The Chamberlain Group has gone to great extent to provide slide decks, videos, FAQ pages, and product bulletins on their 2022 Product Changes Page. They have also provided an extensive Product Update FAQ Page that answers every question related to these changes. The information in this article can be summed up in the LiftMaster Product Updates Slide Deck. If you need further clarification, you can call customer service at 1-800-323-2276.

All screenshots and images in this article were taken from and are credited to the LiftMaster Product Updates Slide Deck that is provided online to help customers and dealers through the transition. While most references are to LiftMaster, a representative with the Chamberlain Group confirmed with me on a phone call that all changes are being made to Chamberlain garage door openers as well.