Guides and Tips

Why Garage Door Sensors Fail and How to Fix Them

Introduction

What do I need garage door sensors for? But, even so, these sensors can goof up leaving your garage door in limbo. By knowing why your sensor has failed and how you can potentially rectify the problem, it could save you time, money, and a headache in the long run.

Over the years, Affordable Garage Door Repair has amassed its own fair share of experience with faulty sensors and in this guide, we take you through what are among the most frequent reasons for a sensor failing as well as some key remedies.

How are Garage Door Sensors Working?

Detection Mechanism

These sensors detect the presence of objects in their path using infrared beams on garage doors. They are often mounted on either side of the garage door, several inches from the floor. 

How It Works

When the sensors are working as they should, if that beam is broken then the door will reverse.

Failure Behavior

If the sensors fail, then likely it will either not close all of the way or begin to close but almost immediately reverse and this can both pile on more problems.

Why Garage Door Sensors Fail

Below are common reasons sensors fail to work correctly and how you can diagnose the trouble.

Misaligned Sensors

Sensors need to be very well aligned for the two sensors to communicate with each other. Even if the surface of the table is slightly raised or disjointed in some places falling just over infrared would mean the beam will break down.

  1. Either or both of the lights on the sensors will flash/remain off.
  2. After the door is closed, it immediately reverses.

Fix:

Keep adjusting the sensors until both lights stay solid. Check them with a level to make sure they are aligned properly.

Dirty Sensor Lenses

If the sensor lenses are dirty or covered with spider webs, chances are that an object is distorting it and preventing it from working correctly.

Symptoms:

  • She approaches the door without warning and those sensor lights, blink even if that space is clear.
  • The door will only shut if you depress the wall button.

Solution:

  • Wipe the sensor lenses with a soft, clean cloth.
  • Do not use chemicals either that may harm the plastic.
Wiring Problems or Bad Connections

Next is broken or corroded wiring, which can interrupt the electronic connection between sensors and the garage door opener

Symptoms:

  • The sensor lights will not be on-aligned, thereby the second safety feature of having to turn for 2 seconds is also bypassed.
  • The opener clicks and you can hear it make an effort to close, but the door does not move.

Solution:

  • Look for wire abrasion destruction, rust on the wires, or loose cable connections.
  • Simply tighten any loose connections or replace wires if they are damaged.
Sunlight Interference

Infrared Sensors: direct sunlight sometimes interferes with its beam, which is a cause of interference for such sensors.

Symptoms:

  • The sensors have certain times of the day (when sunlight hits them) when they are reporting that an obstacle is in the way, so this door will not close at those hours.
  • Sensors seem to be working OK at night or during the clouds.

Solution:

  • Fit sun shadows, awnings, or other covering on the sensor to cover it and shield it against direct sunshine.
  • Relocate the sensor a tad and out of direct line with bright sunlight.
Faulty or Old Sensors

Sensors are an electronic component and as such, can also wear out over time. Old or damaged sensors can stop working altogether.

Symptoms:

  • Both sensor lights are off, no luck after troubleshooting.
  • Its sensors were cleaned and calibrated, but it failed to solve the problem

Solution:

  • Install new sensors that work with your garage door opener.
  • Install properly as per manufacturer instructions.

How to Test Your Garage Door Sensors

You may have to adjust sensors, and you might even need technical support before they work as intended after a repair.

Steps to Test the Sensors:

Step 1:

Shut your garage door halfway down and wedge a broom in front of one sensor, just like the other step.

Step 2:

Pull the door down to see if it restarts automatically, and close/attempt closing the entrance using a remote control or wall switch.

Step 3:

Once it recognizes the object, if its sensors are functioning then the door should stop and immediately reverse.

Step 4:

Should the door close without reversing, recheck alignment and connections.

Avoid further sensor degradation

Fortunately, many sensor issues can be avoided with basic regular maintenance keeping your garage door functioning correctly.

1. Wipe the sensors:

Clean cameras, radars, and lidar regularly to free them of any grime.

2. The Alignment

Periodic checks of the alignment between sensors are recommended.

3. Inspect the Wiring

The Alignment — Periodic checks of the alignment between sensors are recommended.

4. Protect the Sensors

Sunlight and Sharp Object Protection with Shields/ Covers.

When to Call a Professional

While many sensor issues would be easy to fix with a little elbow grease, some problems involving wiring and parts may require taking the vehicle in for service.

Call a Professional If:

Sensors still misbehaving after all that cleaning and the successful realignment. The wires look frayed or corroded, and they should be replaced. It’s an older garage door opener. They wear out and need to be upgraded eventually. Here at Affordable Garage Door Repair, we are experts in troubleshooting and repairing garage door sensor issues. If you need your door repaired to secure the safety of your home, our technicians can respond promptly with their many years of experience fixing various types and brands of garage doors.

Conclusion

Garage door sensors are an essential part of your garage for safety and convenience, however, they also can go haywire due to alignment issues, dirt on the sensor lenses, or wiring problems in addition to the actual parts just getting old. Thankfully, a lot of sensor issues can be solved with some basic troubleshooting. So, if you experience even complex issues do a favor for yourself and make the call to your local team so that they will have no trouble with sensors or opening.
If you think your garage door sensors are not working properly, just call us at Affordable Garage Door Repair now. Our expert garage professionals are at your service to repair, replace, and maintain all your doors for maximum safety & efficiency.

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