Garage door sensors form the essential part of the safety system in your house. They stop the door from injuring people or pets. The doors sensors detect things such as an invisible ray. In case an interruption is made in this beam, the door is halted immediately. Then it reverses direction.
When should you replace your sensors? Watch for these signs:
- The door suddenly stops or goes back up.
- The sensors miss things in the way.
- The sensor lights are missing or flickering.
- A sensor shows visible damage.
In this guide, we’ll discuss these signs of faulty garage door sensors in detail. We’ll show you how to replace them yourself or when you need to call for help.
Garage Door Sensors Explained
The photo-eye sensors are necessary for modern garage doors. These sensors stop accidents by creating an invisible line across the door.
The sensors have two parts:
1. Transmitter – Sends an invisible beam.
2. Receiver – Senses the beam.
3. Brackets – Hold the sensors on the door frame.
4. Wires – Connect sensors to the door motor.
Place sensors properly to work well:
- On both sides of the door frame.
- 4-6 inches above the ground.
- Aligned straight.
- Shielded from sunlight & rain.
The sensors watch for a clear path. In case the beam is interrupted by a person or a thing, the cancellation of the closing action of the door is automatically made.
When the beam is blocked, sensors send signals to the opener. The door then stops and goes back up to prevent injury.
Common Issues Affecting Garage Door Sensors
1. Sensor Misalignment
Garage door sensors work consecutively like elevator machines. Sometimes, the lifting machine shakes or gets bumped by a kid or pet, leading to misalignment of sensors. The sensors cannot see each other, and this stops the doors from closing properly.
2. Sensor Dirt and Debris Accumulation
If sensor lenses get dusty and dirty, they cannot see each other anymore. Things like spider webs and moisture cause the sensors to read faults that are not there. Cleaning the lenses of the sensors fixes the issue.
3. Sensor Sun Damage
Giving sensors a lot of sunlight is bad; they are blinded, crack, and do not work anymore. Their lenses fade too. The sensors facing the east and west bear the brunt of the early morning and evening sunlight, which tends to be bright.
4. Power Supply Issues
Power supply issues can interrupt sensor functions due to different electrical issues:
- Loose-wired links at sensor terminals
- Dampness is causing corrosion on the wire links
- A tripped circuit breaker disables the overall system
- Wires damaged by mice or impact
These disruptions stop sensors from receiving enough power, making safety systems malfunction and thus hindering the operation of the garage door.
Signs That Indicate It’s Time to Replace Garage Door Sensors
Watch out for the signs that let you know it’s high time to change your garage door sensors. It’s crucial that you pay close attention to the sounds that your garage door is making. If these signs are ignored by any chance, they can lead to unfortunate casualties!
Inconsistent Door Operation
The garage door acts differently at times, causing disturbances, and it can be concluded as something that is not functioning properly:
- The door halts halfway during the closing or opening cycle
- The door unexpectedly reverses with no visible obstructions
- Intermittent response to the remote control commands
- The door hesitates or jerks during movement
This unpredictable behavior is due to internal sensor problems that can’t be dealt with by cleaning or realigning the sensors.
Detection System Failures
A failure to detect obstacles through the sensors is one alarming sensor issue that can lead to great dangers. The signs of this issue include:
- The door closes down on items in its path
- Sensors ignore the people passing through the doorway
- No automatic reversal when testing with boxes or tools
- Completely losing the ability to detect safety
This creates serious safety risks, hence requiring urgent replacement of the sensor.
Power and Electrical Issues
No LED lights turn on to show that there is a problem in the car’s electrical system:
- Globally dark sensor units devoid of LED activity
- Flickering lights failing to stay lit
- One sensor receives power while the other is completely dark
- The lights are unresponsive after considering the power connections
Unrepairable Damage
Damage to sensors necessitating immediate replacement:
- Visible fractures in sensor housings or lenses
- Broken mounting brackets or tools
- Water damage due to flooding or bad weather
- Impact damage resulting from vehicles or falling objects
You May Also Read: How to Extend the Life of Your Garage Door System
Maintenance Tips to Extend Sensor Life and Avoid Premature Replacement
Clean the sensors monthly using a soft cloth and mild soap. This stops dirt from blocking the beam.
If the sensors do not align, follow these steps:
- Make sure they face each other
- Set them at the same height
- Adjust the position of the sensors if needed
- Re-tighten screws when both lights shine solidly
Check the hardware every few months so it doesn’t get loose, thus causing false alarms. Also, check for these things:
- Trim any bushes or trees in the way
- Place sun shields over the sensors that get direct sunlight
- Inspect wires for wear and tear
Keep sensors clean. This way, they can last way longer than 10 to 15 years.
Conclusion
The sensors of the garage door keep you safe from accidents. When things don’t go as planned, they stop working properly. Spotting the signs of trouble, like flashing lights, no response, and misalignment, can help you fix the problem before it gets worse.
If you see any of these signs in your sensors, be sure to call Trusted Garage Door in Logan, Utah, at (435) 554-4962. We can repair or replace your sensors so your garage door is safe again.