The majority of residential garage doors come with safety sensors. These devices are designed to prevent the door from closing when there’s an object in its path. Sometimes, the sensors malfunction and prevent the door from closing at all. Here’s what to do if you’re experiencing this issue.

How to Approach Problems With Residential Garage Door Sensors

1. Check the Alignment

The system uses two sensors positioned on either side of the garage door and around six inches off of the ground. One sensor has a green LED light, and the other has a red one.

When the two are not perfectly aligned, one of the two lights goes out or begins blinking. Try to reset the alignment and test the system to see if the door closes.

2. Clean the Sensors

If you frequently leave the garage door open, the sensors can become coated in dust, dirt, and grime. This blocks the lenses and makes the sensors think there’s an obstruction in the way of the door.

Sweep away any cobwebs that are around the garage door, then scrub the sensors down using a soft cloth to avoid scratching the lenses. When the lights stop blinking, the door should close safely once again.

3. Inspect the Power Supply

When none of the lights on the sensors are illuminated, it means that they aren’t getting power. First, check that they’re plugged in.

People moving around the garage or cleaning it can accidentally jostle the cables loose and cause the sensors to malfunction. If they’re plugged in, make sure there’s no problem with the circuit breaker connected to the system. A power surge can cause the breakers to trip and deprive the sensors of power.

4. Examine the Wires

If the system is plugged in and there are no issues with the circuit breaker, check the wiring for signs of damage. If you see that any of them have become frayed or cut, they’ll need to be replaced. Tangled wires can also cause issues by not providing a steady source of power to the sensors, but unweaving them can fix the problem.

 

If you’re still experiencing problems with your residential garage door sensors, contact Automatic Door Company in Milford, CT. For more than 35 years, this company has provided reliable repairs to homeowners and businesses. Their highly trained team of technicians has the experience and tools needed to diagnose the cause of your issues and get your door operating efficiently again. Visit them online to learn more about their services, or call (203) 795-3577 to schedule an estimate.