Garage door sensors, also known as photoelectric safety sensors, are designed to protect people and their belongings by preventing the garage door from closing on them. When these sensors malfunction, it can cause a lot of inconveniences. However, with some basic understanding of how they work and common issues that can arise, homeowners can troubleshoot garage door sensors to restore proper function.
The primary role of garage door sensors is to detect any obstruction in the path of the closing garage door. These devices use infrared technology where one sensor sends out an infrared beam and the other receives it. If anything interrupts this beam while the garage door is closing, it will instantly reverse direction and open again.
One common issue with these sensors is misalignment. The sending and receiving units need to be precisely aligned for them to function correctly. If they become misaligned due to accidental bumping or vibration over time, the beam won’t reach its intended destination causing your garage door not close properly.
To fix this issue, you should first ensure that both sensor lights are steadily lit indicating they’re powered on. Then slowly adjust one sensor at a time until both lights become stable which means they’re perfectly aligned.
Another typical problem arises when dirt or debris blocks the lens of either sensor disrupting their line-of-sight communication. Regularly cleaning them using a soft cloth or brush can easily solve this problem.
Sometimes your garage doors might refuse to close even without any visible obstructions or alignment issues between your sensors; this could be due to faulty wiring connections between your opener unit and your safety sensors. Inspect all wires for possible damage or disconnections then replace any damaged wires immediately.
In cases where troubleshooting doesn’t yield results or if you’re uncertain about what’s causing malfunctions in your system, it’s advisable to call in professionals who specialize in repairing garage doors rather than attempting complex repairs yourself which might lead more serious problems down the line if not done right.
Lastly, it’s important to test your garage door sensors regularly by placing an object in explore the offerings closing door and ensuring that it reverses direction as expected. This simple test will give you peace of mind knowing that your garage door safety features are working properly and protecting you, your family and your possessions from potential harm.
In conclusion, while garage door sensors can encounter a variety of issues, most are easy for homeowners to troubleshoot themselves. Regular maintenance including cleaning and alignment checks can help prevent many problems before they become serious. However, if troubleshooting doesn’t resolve the issue or if you’re unsure about what’s causing the malfunction, professional help should be sought to ensure safe operation of your garage door system.
