From Canada here. Installed GDO blaQ to my Liftmaster Pro opener (purple button). Installed blaQ on the wall switch panel (easy). I can open and close the door in Smartthings, but Alexa will not let me open the door using voice commands. Alexa DOES let me check on the status, and close the door, but not open.
Anyone else having this issue? Tech support asked me to post on this community website.
hi @PAUL_ZAMPERIN – for security Alexa may require a voice code to open the garage door. In the Alexa app, go to Settings > Device Settings > Garage Door (or whatever you named it).
There should be a toggle to enable Open by Voice. After enabling, you will need to set a 4-digit voice code that Alexa will ask for to confirm opening the door.
Let us know if this did it!
Hello Nate,
Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, the issue persists. You will note that I do not have an option or a toggle that allows me to open by voice when I go into settings. I have contacted Amazon Alexa tech support, and they indicated that this is a Konnected software issue. I have uninstalled and installed both the Konnected app, and Alexa several times. I’ve tried flashing the blaQ devise, installing firmware several times, still not able to open - or have the option to open.
Can you be more specific about what specific the “software issue” is?
Can you share a screenshot of the Garage Door device settings screen in the Konnected app (like the one in my reply above)?
Can you also share your device ID so I can check out back-end for any errors reported by Alexa.
I found this thread from 2021 on Amazon’s community forum that seems to indicate that opening a garage door is a restricted feature in Canada. I have no idea why or if this is still the case, but it may very well be the reason for your trouble.
I would take whatever Amazon support says with a grain of salt. They’re notorious for non-answers and being generally unhelpful.
@PAUL_ZAMPERIN We recently rolled out new capabilities for the GDO blaQ in SmartThings and Alexa which includes the ability to set the garage door to a percentage level.
Can you try saying “Alexa, set the [garage door] to zero percent” as a workaround to asking it to close the garage door? I think this might work.
I have the same issue. I can’t open the garage door by voice in either the Alexa app nor in Smarthings. The toggle to enable Open by Voice is not there there in either app so i can’t even toggle it on or off. I live in Canada if that makes any difference.
I have firmware 1.3.3.2 installed on the GDO blaQ.
The Alexa issue is confirmed to be a Canada region-specific issue.
It should work in SmartThings though. What happens when you try to open the door in the ST app?
It doesn’t work in SmartThings either. The message I get using ST/Bixby when I try opening the garage door with a voice command is: “That’s not available yet for safety reasons”. I can check the status and close the door but not open it with either app.
I’ve seen in other garage door solutions where when you turn on open by voice you need to specify a PIN#. Could the be the problem and the solution?
Oh, Canada!
My understanding is that this is a regional restriction imposed due to local regulations. I’m not sure exactly what law or statute disallows it.
More context (via ChatGPT):
The restriction on using voice commands like Alexa and SmartThings to open garage doors in Canada is largely due to safety and security concerns rather than a specific law. These platforms typically adhere to safety guidelines and industry practices to prevent unauthorized access to homes, which could be a potential security risk if someone were to use voice commands to open a garage door remotely.
Canada’s regulatory environment tends to be more cautious about potential safety liabilities. Smart home devices and automation systems are often subject to Canadian Standards Association (CSA) certifications, which focus on safety in the design and operation of automated systems. There may be stricter interpretations in Canada concerning voice-controlled access to homes, particularly around risks of hacking, accidental activation, or unintended opening of doors or garages.
This is more of a platform policy aligned with a cautious legal framework, possibly influenced by insurance and liability concerns, rather than a specific government regulation explicitly prohibiting voice control of garage doors. If there were regulations, they might fall under general safety and building code standards (e.g., CSA standards) rather than a specific law targeting smart devices.
If you’re looking for more detailed guidance, looking into local building and safety codes or CSA standards for smart home automation systems in Canada might provide additional insights.