When it comes to automatic garage doors, there are a lot of benefits, like the convenience of use, enhanced safety, and better home resale value. However, because there are more moving parts and machinery involved, they require a bit of TLC to stay in peak condition. One of the most critical components to maintain? The safety sensors.
The sensors are an important part of your garage door system as they ensure your door operates safely and prevent damage if something (or someone) gets in the way.
An automatic garage door is a great investment, and our goal is to help you protect it. Hopefully, this guide will give you a better understanding of how your garage door, opener, and sensors work together and provide the tools to troubleshoot at home before contacting a technician for a repair.
How Garage Door Sensors Work
First things first: How does a garage door opener sensor even work? On each side of your garage door, there is a photo eye sensor that creates an invisible trip line. They are usually attached to the metal track a few inches off the ground.
The two main parts, the emitter and the receiver, work together to detect objects that might prevent your door from closing and cause damage or injury. An infrared beam comes from the emitter to the receiver, and if anything interrupts that beam, your door will stop moving or reverse.
Testing Your Garage Door Safety Sensors
If you suspect your sensors are not working properly, testing them is pretty simple:
- First, look at the small LED lights on both sensors. They should be solid (usually one green and one amber). If they are flickering or off, that is your answer: they are misaligned
- If both LEDs are solid, close the door using your remote or wall button.
- While the door is moving, wave a long-handled object (like a broom) through the path of the sensors. The door should immediately stop and reverse back to the open position.
- If the door closes, or closes and re-opens, it’s time to troubleshoot.
Troubleshooting Common Problems with Sensors
Misalignment
Misaligned sensors are among the most common issues we encounter. When they are unaligned, the beam cannot connect to the receiver. What usually happens is that your door will close, but then actually open back up. Your door is interpreting the misalignment as an obstruction and will not close unless fixed.
Dirty Lenses
Depending on your habits, your garage can be one of the dirtiest places in your home. Any dust and dirt that builds up in the corners of your garage can also build up on the safety sensors and disrupt the signal. All you have to do is gently wipe away any grime.
Wiring Issues
Any damage or faulty wiring that’s causing a disruption can typically be spotted with a visual inspection. These wires will need to be replaced to prevent any electrical mishaps and to get your door back in working order.
How to Maintain Your Sensors
Regular maintenance is easy and goes a long way when keeping your garage doors in great shape. Make an effort to regularly clean and quickly inspect your sensors about every month or so, to see if anything needs to be cleaned or adjusted.
Trust the Technicians at Amega
While DIY troubleshooting can solve minor alignment issues, a malfunctioning sensor is often a sign of a deeper electrical or mechanical problem. If your door is acting up or your sensors won’t stay lit, it’s time to contact the experts. Give us a call to schedule an inspection and get your door back in safe working order today.