How to Troubleshoot Problems with Your Garage Door Safety Sensors?

Has your garage door been acting up lately? Maybe it refuses to close or won’t open when you push the button. Chances are, it’s an issue with your garage door safety sensors. These sensors are in place to prevent the door from closing on people, pets or objects. If they get knocked out of alignment or dirty, they can malfunction and cause your garage door to stop working properly. But don’t worry, troubleshooting problems with your garage door safety sensors is usually an easy fix. In this article, we’ll walk you through some simple steps to get your garage door back in working order so you can get on with your day. If you continue to have issues after trying our troubleshooting tips, give us a call at MOJA GARAGE DOORS for prompt, professional service. We offer emergency repair, maintenance and new garage door installation for customers in the Sacramento area.

What Are Garage Door Safety Sensors and How Do They Work?

1. What Are Garage Door Safety Sensors and How Do They Work?

Garage door safety sensors, also known as photoelectric sensors or eyes, are the infrared sensors on each side of your garage door opening. They detect obstructions to prevent your garage door from closing on people, pets or objects.

The sensors emit and detect infrared light beams between each other. If the light beam is broken by an obstruction, the sensor detects it and instantly reverses or stops the garage door to prevent injury or damage. For your garage door to close properly, the sensors must be able to see each other and maintain the infrared light beam connection.

• Infrared light is invisible to the human eye but can be detected by the sensor
• The light beam is emitted in a cone shape, so alignment and lack of obstruction are important
• Sensors require a power source, typically batteries or hardwiring to your garage door opener, to function

If your garage door is behaving erratically or won’t close, it’s likely an issue with your safety sensors. But don’t worry, troubleshooting problems with your garage door safety sensors is often an easy DIY task. The most common issues are:

• Misalignment: The sensors are not facing each other directly, so the light beam is obstructed. Re-align the sensors to face each other.
• Dirty lenses: Built up dirt, dust or cobwebs on the sensor lenses block the infrared light beam. Clean the lenses with a soft, damp cloth.
• Obstruction: An object like a toy, debris or garden hose is blocking the light beam. Remove any obstructions from the path of the beam.
• Loss of power: If the sensors are hardwired, check for any damage to the wiring. For battery-powered sensors, replace the batteries.
• Malfunction: As a last resort, the sensors themselves could be damaged or defective and need replacement. But first rule out other potential issues before replacing the sensors.

If troubleshooting does not resolve the issues with your garage door safety sensors, don’t hesitate to call MOJA GARAGE DOORS for professional garage door repair service in Sacramento. Our expert technicians can diagnose and fix problems with your garage door sensors to get your door functioning safely again. We offer free onsite inspections and affordable solutions to fit any budget. Call us at (916) 975-0705

Common Signs Your Garage Door Sensors Need Repair

If your garage door isn’t closing properly, the safety sensors are a good place to start. These sensors, located at the bottom of the garage door tracks, detect if there are any obstacles in the way of the closing door. If anything is detected, the door will immediately stop and reverse direction to avoid causing damage or injury.

Common Signs Your Garage Door Sensors Need Repair

One of the most obvious signs that your safety sensors aren’t working is if your garage door won’t close all the way. If the sensors detect an obstacle, the door will stop and reverse to the open position. Check to make sure there is nothing blocking the sensors and test to see if the door will close. If not, the sensors likely need adjustment or replacement.

Another sign is if your garage door opens but won’t close. Again, this could indicate the sensors have detected an obstacle, even if there doesn’t appear to be anything in the way. The sensors may be misaligned or damaged, preventing the garage door from closing.

You may also notice the garage door opening and closing on its own. This could indicate interference or a short in the sensor wiring, causing the door to operate as if an obstacle was detected. It’s best to unplug the garage door opener in this situation to prevent damage or injury.

Lastly, if the sensor lights on your garage door opener aren’t coming on, it likely indicates a problem with the sensors. The lights should illuminate when the sensors detect an obstacle. If the lights don’t come on at all, the sensors may need to be repaired or replaced.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to contact a professional garage door company to inspect and repair or replace your safety sensors. Faulty or malfunctioning sensors can be extremely dangerous, so don’t delay in getting them serviced. Your garage door is a heavy piece of equipment and safety should be a top priority!

Step-by-Step Guide to Troubleshooting Sensor Issues

If your garage door isn’t closing properly, the issue could be with the safety sensors. These sensors detect if anything is obstructing the door so it won’t close and cause damage or injury. Troubleshooting problems with your garage door safety sensors is often an easy DIY task. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get your garage door closing securely again.

Check the sensors

The first thing to check is if the sensors themselves seem damaged or misaligned. Look for any dents, scratches or debris on the lenses of the sensors. Also check that the sensors are pointing directly at each other, aligned and at the same height on each side of the door. If they’re crooked or at different heights, loosen the mounting bracket and adjust as needed, then tighten in place.

Inspect the wiring

If the sensors appear intact, the issue could be with the wiring. Trace the wires from the sensors to the garage door opener unit. Look for any visible damage to the wires or points where the wiring is loose, frayed or exposed. Tighten any loose connections or splice and re-insulate any exposed or damaged wiring.

Test the sensors

Once the sensors and wiring all look to be in good working order, it’s time to test the system. Have someone stand in the doorway to block one sensor while you try closing the garage door with the remote or wall switch. If the door starts to close, then stops and reverses upon detecting the obstacle, the sensors are working properly. If not, proceed to the next step.

Replace the batteries

If the sensors still don’t seem to be detecting obstacles, the issue could simply be dead batteries. Most garage door sensors run on standard 9V batteries. Pop out the old batteries from both sensors and replace them with a matched set of fresh 9V batteries. Once the new batteries are installed, re-test the system to ensure the door is now reversing properly.

Call a professional

If new batteries don’t solve the problem, there may be an issue with the sensor circuit board or the garage door opener unit itself. At this point, it’s best to contact a professional garage door technician to inspect, test and repair or replace components as needed to get your garage door safety system working properly again. They can also perform regular maintenance to help prevent future issues.

For professional garage door repair service in Sacramento, contact Moja Garage Doors at (916) 975-0705 or visit us online at www.mojagaragedoors.com for a free quote. We offer 24/7 emergency service so you can rest assured your garage door will be fixed and safe.

When to Call a Professional for Garage Door Sensor Replacement

If your garage door safety sensors are acting up, it’s important to troubleshoot the issue to determine if you can fix it yourself or if it’s time to call in a professional. Safety sensors, also known as photoelectric sensors, are the electronic eyes that ensure your garage door opens and closes properly. They detect when something is blocking the door so it won’t crush whatever’s in the way.

Do the sensors need to be realigned?

The most common problem with garage door sensors is misalignment. Over time, the sensors can get bumped out of position, preventing them from detecting each other properly. To realign the sensors:

1. Locate the receiving sensor (with the red LED light) and the sending sensor (with the green LED light). The red sensor should point to the green sensor.
2. Loosen the wingnut or mounting screw that holds each sensor in place.
3. Make sure the sensors point directly at each other and are lined up vertically. They should be no more than 6 inches off the floor.
4. Tighten the wingnuts to secure the sensors in the proper position.
5. Test your garage door to ensure it’s working properly. The LED lights on both sensors should now be solid.

If realigning the sensors doesn’t fix the issue, it’s likely time to call a professional garage door company to inspect and potentially replace the sensors.

When to call for service

It’s best to call a professional garage door company like Moja Garage Doors when:

• The sensors are severely damaged or not working at all. Replacement safety sensors need to be installed properly to ensure safety and functionality.
• The garage door still won’t close after you’ve tried realigning the sensors. There could be an issue with the door itself or the opener.
• You’ve checked the obvious solutions but can’t determine the cause of the problem. Professionals have the experience to troubleshoot and fix issues quickly.
• You want to avoid potential injury or property damage. Malfunctioning garage doors and openers can be dangerous if not addressed promptly by a professional.

For quality garage door sensor repair or replacement in the Sacramento area, contact Moja Garage Doors today for helpful service and fair, affordable pricing. We aim to get your garage door working safely again as soon as possible.

Contact Moja Garage Doors in Sacramento for Sensor Repair Service Today / SAME DAY APPOINTMENT (916) 975-0705

If your garage door opener’s safety sensors are malfunctioning, it’s critical to get them repaired or replaced right away. Faulty sensors pose a risk of injury if the garage door closes on a person or object. The good news is that troubleshooting sensor issues is often an easy DIY task, or you can call a pro like Moja Garage Doors for fast, affordable service.

The most common problems with garage door sensors are:

1. Misalignment – The sensors may have been bumped or fallen out of alignment, disrupting the beam between them. Re-aligning the sensors so they point directly at each other typically fixes this.
2. Obstruction – Something may be blocking the sensor’s beam path, like cobwebs, dust, or insects. Wipe down the lenses of both sensors with a soft cloth to remove any debris.
3. Loose or damaged wiring – Check that all wiring connecting the sensors to the garage door opener unit is securely plugged in, intact, and not visibly frayed or exposed. Tighten or replace any loose or damaged wiring.
4. Sensor malfunction – If re-aligning, cleaning, and checking the wiring does not work, one or both of the sensors may need replacement. Sensors exposed to extreme heat or cold, moisture, or power surges can become damaged over time.

Rather than continuing to troubleshoot a complex sensor issue yourself, call the pros at Moja Garage Doors for fast, affordable service. Our technicians have years of experience diagnosing and repairing all types of garage door opener problems. We offer same-day service in many areas and will get your garage door safety sensors up and running again promptly so you can get back to using your garage.

Don’t put yourself or your family at risk from a malfunctioning garage door. Contact Moja Garage Doors in Sacramento today at (916) 975-0705 for professional sensor repair or replacement service. Our technicians will inspect your garage door opener system, determine what’s wrong with the sensors, and get them working properly so your garage door closes and opens safely every time.

Conclusion

So now you know the basics of troubleshooting issues with your garage door safety sensors. While the sensors themselves are pretty straightforward, diagnosing problems can still be frustrating. Don’t hesitate to call the pros at Moja Garage Doors if you’ve tried the steps here and are still stuck with a garage door that won’t close properly. Our technicians have years of experience dealing with garage door openers and sensors of all types. We’ll send someone out for a free onsite inspection, diagnose the issue, and get your garage door working safely again, all for a fair price. You’ve got enough other things to worry about – leave your garage door woes to us!