Garage door sensors are a safety feature designed to prevent your garage door from closing down on objects that are in its path. Without working sensors, any objects or person in the vicinity of your garage door is at risk of damage or injury.
Our team of experienced professionals understand the importance of feeling protected and safe when you’re at home, this includes the operation of your garage door. This is why we offer expert garage door sensor repair and replacement services.
How Garage Door Sensors Work
Safety sensors are the most common type of sensor and are required for the safe operation of an electric garage door. These sensors emit a red beam that runs across the bottom of your garage door opening. When the beam is broken, the sensors stop your garage door from closing to prevent injury or damage to an object, like your car.
If your garage door starts closing and something suddenly blocks the beam, the door will stop closing and start to open again. This prevents your door from closing down on anything in its path.
One surefire sign that you have a broken garage door sensor is when your door only closes partially before opening again, even when there are no obstructions obstructing the beam. In some cases, your garage door may not close at all.
Other Garage Door Sensor Types
In general, all types of garage door sensors provide the same safety measure: they signal the garage door to open if something is in the path of the closing door.
Many garage doors use pressure sensors instead of safety sensors. Pressure sensors can detect an object or person in the path of the garage door based on a miniscule amount of resistance. This type of sensor is designed to prevent your door from pressing down on any objects.
Carbon dioxide sensors,although not as common, are another type of garage door sensor. They are designed to automatically open the garage door when the carbon dioxide levels in your garage get too high.
There are also monitoring sensors that can let you know how long your garage door has been open. If your garage door has been open for an extended period or has not been opened in a while, a monitoring sensor will alert you.
Common Reasons Why Sensors Malfunction
Depending on their type of sensor, frequency of maintenance, and condition, your garage door sensors can malfunction for a variety of reasons. Below are some of the possible reasons why your garage door sensors may not be working properly.
Many garage doors use pressure sensors instead of safety sensors. Pressure sensors can detect an object or person in the path of the garage door based on a miniscule amount of resistance. This type of sensor is designed to prevent your door from pressing down on any objects.
Carbon dioxide sensors,although not as common, are another type of garage door sensor. They are designed to automatically open the garage door when the carbon dioxide levels in your garage get too high.
There are also monitoring sensors that can let you know how long your garage door has been open. If your garage door has been open for an extended period or has not been opened in a while, a monitoring sensor will alert you.
| Reason for Malfunction | Safety Sensors | Pressure Sensors | CO2 Sensors | Monitoring Sensors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Signal interference | Something is blocking the beam. Ensure all objects are out of the way. | Damaged sensors can’t accurately detect pressure. Contact a garage door professional. | False readings. Place sensors near unfiltered air flow and away from air conditioners and vents. | Other electronic devices are interfering with the signal. Move other devices away to prevent. |
| Faulty power supply | Check your circuit breaker or fuse box. | Check your circuit breaker or fuse box. | Check your circuit breaker or fuse box. | Check your circuit breaker or fuse box. |
| LED lights out | If your safety sensors’ LED lights are out, contact a garage door professional for replacement options immediately. | If your pressure sensor uses LED lights and they are no longer working, contact a garage door professional for replacement options. | If your carbon dioxide sensor uses LED lights and they are no longer working, contact a garage door professional for replacement options. | If your monitoring sensor uses LED lights and they are no longer working, contact a garage door professional for replacement options. |
| Excess dirt or dust | If your sensors’ lenses are dirty, they can’t transmit signals properly. To clean them, wipe with a soft cloth. | Too much dirt and debris near the sensors can send a false message that an object is nearby. To clean them, wipe with a soft cloth. | Dirt can obstruct the sensors’ openings, blocking carbon dioxide detection. To clean them, wipe with a soft cloth. | Dirt can block the sensors’ openings, minimizing sensitivity. To clean them, wipe with a soft cloth. |
| Misalignment | If your sensors’ eyes can’t communicate, the sensor won’t work well. Contact a garage door professional for sensor realignment. | Misaligned sensors can provide inaccurate pressure readings. Contact a garage door professional for sensor realignment. | Carbon dioxide sensors need to be properly positioned for maximum detection. Contact a garage door professional for sensor realignment. | Monitoring sensors should be aligned correctly to accurately detect the garage door area. Contact a garage door professional for sensor realignment. |
| Normal wear and tear | If you’ve had your sensors for years and suspect normal wear and tear is the culprit, contact a garage door professional for replacement options. | If you’ve had your sensors for years and suspect normal wear and tear is the culprit, contact a garage door professional for replacement options. | If you’ve had your sensors for years and suspect normal wear and tear is the culprit, contact a garage door professional for replacement options. | If you’ve had your sensors for years and suspect normal wear and tear is the culprit, contact a garage door professional for replacement options. |
Let Precision Garage Door Repair Your Sensors
Although they usually go unnoticed and are often hidden from view, your garage door sensors play an important role in protecting you and your family. If your garage door sensors are not working properly or are in need of maintenance or replacement, call the experts at your local Precision Garage Door Service. We provide prompt, reliable, and expert service because we know a garage door that is not working is more than just an inconvenience. To schedule an appointment, call today or find a Precision Garage Door Service professional near you.
