Garage Door Opener Flashing? Here’s How To Fix It Fast
If you’ve noticed your garage door opener flashing, it’s trying to communicate with you. Not only does the blinking light let you know that something is wrong, but it also lets you know what is wrong.
Your garage door opener is programmed with self-diagnostic capabilities, which enable you to count the number of flashes so you can identify the problem. The garage door experts at Precision Garage Door Service™ are here to help you decode the message your opener is sending so the problem can be fixed, prolonging more costly garage door replacement.
This guide will give you a breakdown of the four most common reasons your garage door opener light is blinking, how to fix it, and when to call a professional for help.
Table of Contents:
Reason 1: The Safety Lock Is Engaged
The safety lock on a garage door opener works like a deadbolt on a normal door. It prevents the door from opening until it’s disengaged. When the garage door opener light is flashing, it can be a sign that the safety lock is engaged.
The fix
Release an engaged safety lock with these simple steps.
- Step one: Locate the garage door remote and hold the “open” button for several seconds.
- Step two: Test the opener and keypad.
- Step three: Check if the garage door opener light is still flashing.
- Step four: Call a professional. Resolving issues with a garage door opener on your own can be very dangerous. Between electrical wiring and heavy parts, you can easily break the door or cause injury. When in doubt, it’s best to call a professional.
Reason 2: The Door Sensors Need To Be Adjusted
If your opener’s blinks are related to safety sensor issues, ensure there are no objects around or in the way of the sensor’s invisible light beam. Our guide to garage door sensors has more details.
The fix
Our service professionals know how to fix garage door sensors efficiently. Don’t try to mess around with wiring yourself, call Precision Garage Door Service for an expert repair:
- Step one: Call a professional for sensor alignment. This service requires working with electrical wiring, which can be very dangerous.
- Step two: The service professional will loosen sensor screws and bring the sensors to the bottom of the door.
- Step three: A service professional will ensure both sensors are level and re-tighten all screws.
- Step four: To check if the blinking lights are resolved, the service professional will test the sensors.
Reason 3: The Physical Door Lock Is Set
Along with the safety lock on the garage door opener, your door has a physical lock, too. If this lock is engaged, the opener light may blink and the garage door won’t open or close, even if you use your keypad or remote.
The fix
It doesn’t take long to reset the physical garage door lock:
- Step one: Determine the type of garage door lock you have.
- Padlock: Locate the key to unlock the padlock.
- Deadbolt: Manually disengage the deadbolt.
- T-handle lock: Use the key to unlock the handle, then turn it.
- Lock bar: Remove the bar from the track on the inside of the garage.
- Step two: Once the physical lock is disengaged, test the remote and keypad to see if the door works.
- Step three: Check the garage door opener to see if the light is still blinking.
- Step four: Call a professional. If the issue persists, schedule service with a professional to investigate and resolve the issue.
Reason 4: The Garage Door Has a Wiring Issue
If the blinking persists after ruling out simpler problems such as the safety lock or deadbolt, there might be a wiring issue with the opener. Do not try to resolve a wiring issue on your own. At best, you can break the opener; at worst, you can electrocute yourself or someone else. Schedule a garage door repair with Precision Garage Door Service.
The fix
- Call a professional: Never try to repair garage door wiring yourself. You risk electrocution during or after the repair if it’s not completed correctly. Instead, schedule service with a professional.
How To Decode Your Opener’s Blinks
The LED indicator on your garage door opener blinks to alert you of common garage door opener issues. The unit can self-diagnose, and then the number of blinks reveals what’s going on with the opener.
In the chart below, we cover the LiftMaster blinking codes, which also work with some other units. When in doubt, check with your opener’s manufacturer to see if it uses different codes or call a professional to help solve the problem.
| Number of Blinks | Reason for the Issue |
|---|---|
| 1 | A safety sensor wire may be open, broken, or disconnected. |
| 2 | A sensor wire is either shorted, or the wires could be reversed. |
| 3 | The door control or wire is shorted. |
| 4 | The safety sensors are misaligned. |
| 5 | The motor may be overheated or there may be a revolutions per minute (RPM) sensor failure. |
| 6 | The opener has a motor circuit failure. |
Call Precision Garage Door Service for Help With a Flashing Garage Door Opener
If you’re stumped about why your garage door opener is flashing, trust a professional from Precision Garage Door Service to help you find and fix the issue. Schedule garage door opener repair today so a service professional can diagnose and fix your garage door.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your property. Services should be performed by licensed and experienced professionals. Precision Garage Door Service is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact a Precision Garage Door Service professional for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.
Flashing Garage Door FAQ
Let the experts at Precision Garage Door Service help you fix your blinking garage door and resolve any other garage door issues. Our service professionals have seen these issues before and are dedicated to finding the best solution for you.
How do I stop my garage door lights from flashing?
If the garage door lights are flashing, there’s an issue affecting how the door operates. Count the number of flashes and consult the owner’s manual to learn what the issue is and schedule service to repair the door. The lights will stop flashing when the issue is resolved.
Are both garage door sensors supposed to be green?
No, only one garage door sensor should be green. This indicates that it’s the sensor sending out the signal. The other should be yellow or orange — this is the sensor that receives the alignment signal.
How do I reset my garage door opener?
To reset your garage door opener, follow the same steps as reprogramming the opener. This includes pressing the LEARN button on the opener and then pressing the LEARN button on the remote to connect the devices.
Why is my garage keypad blinking and not operating?
Three light flashes on a garage door opener typically means there’s a wiring issue. Only a professional can fix this, so schedule service with Precision Garage Door Service to have it repaired.
What does a flashing red light mean on a garage door sensor?
A flashing red light on a garage door sensor means the sensors are out of alignment or have a wiring issue. A professional should handle either repair because sensors are an important safety feature and fixing them can be tricky.
