A garage door sensor reverses your door when it detects an obstruction in its path. It could be an object, a wandering pet, or a clueless child standing right under your doorway. But no matter how crucial these components are, they could get buggy at times and will require an immediate fix.
If you’re having snags with your garage door sensors, we’re here to help. At Rock Garage Door Repair, we’ve solved almost every garage door problem – including the most frustrating sensor issues.
Keep reading to see how to fix garage door sensors with simple troubleshooting steps. If all else fails, you can always give us a call for professional garage door safety sensor repairs!
Is your garage door sensor not working? Here are 3 possible problems
Getting your garage door back on track with faulty sensors isn’t always complicated. In most cases, you can try some home troubleshooting to see if it fixes the problem.
Here are common door sensor issues and how our experts can fix them for you:
1. Your door is opening but won’t close.
If your door is reversing midway when trying to close, then it’s possible that there are obstructions on your sensors. Here are the possible scenarios:
- Dirty sensors. First, you’d want to check if the sensors have accumulated dust and dirt, which causes them to malfunction. Take note that even a tiny smudge can block the infrared light, preventing the two sensors from communicating properly. When this happens, it will mistakenly reverse your door, as it detects the dirt as a blockage.
- Sensor misalignment. If everything is clean, the next thing you have to check is the garage door sensor alignment. If one sensor is installed higher or lower than the other, the two won’t receive each other’s infrared beam signal. This will cause your door to reverse on its own or fail to close fully.
2. Your sensor or opener lights are blinking.
Is your garage door sensor blinking red? Take note that functional sensors should have a solid green light (transmitter) and a solid red light (receiver). If any of them are continuously blinking, it’s possible that you have any of these problems:
- Dirty sensors. As we’ve mentioned previously, both sensors must ‘see’ each other to function properly. But if there is dust and dirt on the sensor’s surface, it will break the infrared signal, which will cause any of the sensors to blink. This is a sign that you need to get the sensors checked and cleaned.
- Misaligned sensors. Misalignment can also be the culprit behind a red blinking light on one of your sensors. Make sure that the sensors are placed at the same height so they can create an uninterrupted infrared beam.
- Power supply issues. It’s also possible that the receiver sensor isn’t getting adequate power, which affects its operation. Aside from that, there could be wiring issues that block the proper flow of electricity into your sensors.
But what if your garage door sensor’s yellow light is blinking? It could mean that your sensors are receiving power but not functioning for some reason. Depending on the exact reasons, you may need a garage door sensor replacement soon. We suggest calling a professional like Rock Garage Door Repair to learn more about safety sensors.
3. One sensor light isn’t working.
If one of your sensor’s lights is not flashing or illuminating, it means that the unit isn’t working entirely. This could be due to any of the following conditions:
- Power supply issues. First, it’s possible that the sensor is intact but is not receiving power. This can be due to frayed or damaged wiring that prevents power from reaching your garage door’s sensors.
- Faulty sensor. If the power supply isn’t the problem, then it’s possible that your sensor is already faulty. You can call for garage door repair in Los Angeles to get this fixed right away.
- Interference with other devices. If you have other devices like Wi-Fi routers, cordless phones, or electric tools, it’s possible that the interference is causing the sensor to malfunction. Try moving these devices and see if your door sensors will work just as fine.
How to bypass garage door sensors if it’s malfunctioning
If your sensors are malfunctioning and you need to get your car out of the garage, the temporary solution is to bypass its system. This way, you manually close your garage door while we send our technician to fix your sensors.
Here’s how you can bypass your sensors in 3 different ways:
- Pull the emergency release cord. The easiest way to disengage your door from the sensors is by disconnecting it from the opener. Simply pull the red string hanging overhead your door until you hear a solid click. This means that your garage door is already disconnected from the opener and can be opened or closed by hand.
- Use a reflector. You can also use a reflective surface, such as a small mirror, to bounce the infrared beam back to the sensor. This will trick the sensor into thinking it’s receiving a continuous signal, allowing you to open your door without problems.
- Cut the sensor wires. If your sensors are functioning erratically, you can also cut the wires. Make sure you leave at least 5 inches of wiring still attached to the house for replacements later on. Also, you should secure the removed sensors by taping them together with eyes facing each other.
Call Rock Garage Door Repair for a quick sensor fix!
If you need help with your faulty garage door sensor, call Rock Garage Door Repair. We are on call 24/7 to fix any garage door problem in Los Angeles and surrounding areas.
Our licensed and insured technicians will get your door up and running fast. Aside from faulty sensors, we also provide garage door spring repair, garage door opener repair, and more, so you only have to call one provider for all your needs.
Aside from that, we are available for same-day service and our technicians can reach you in as fast as 1 hour, depending on your location.
So, if you need fast and affordable repairs on your faulty sensors, contact us at Rock Garage Door Repair today! We can repair all sensor brands that you may have!
