If you are having problems with your garage door closing, then the most likely culprit is the garage door sensor. The garage door sensor is the two eye-looking sensors that sit about 6 inches from the floor. They shoot a laser between the sender and the receiver. If the laser beam is interfered with or the sensor is not working, then the garage door will not close all the way. If this is happening to you, we have put together 7 step checklist on how to adjust sensors on your garage door.
Looking out to see if the signal is not connecting to the circuit board.
In dealing with a sensor issue, you should be on the lookout for one or more of these clues. If the garage door moves downward only an inch or so, OR the head unit blinks and makes a clicking noise, OR the lights on the sensors are off, blinking, or flickering. These symptoms are a result of the signal from the sensors not connecting to the circuit board of the head unit.
Closing the garage door while diagnosing and fixing the safety sensors.
NOTE- If you need to close the door for security reasons until the issue can be remedied, simply pull the red safety rope to release the door from the operator and close the door manually (SEE VIDEO). You may also be able to hold down the wall console button to begin closing- then release the button just as the door sets down (requires a bit of timing).
If you are having an issue, check to see if any of the following are true: the sensors are misaligned, there is an object in the way of the infrared beam, the wires are broken or corroded.
How to Adjust Sensors on Garage Door
- .One of the first things to check is to make sure that there is nothing in the way of the invisible sensor beam. Look from left to right along a straight line in between the sensors, and move anything that may be in the way such as garden equipment, tools, boxes, and the like.
- Next, check the sensor lenses and clean away dust and cobwebs as needed by using a paper towel or soft cloth.
- Make sure that the sensors are accurately pointed at each other by eye-balling the path and adjusting, or redirecting if needed. Sensors may need slight adjustment even if the LED lights are illuminated on both sides. Sometimes the sensor may be just outside of the margin of error and will show a slight flicker that is not visible while standing. An adjustment can be made by loosening the butterfly nut, redirecting, and then re-tightening securely. (SEE VIDEO)
- Measure from the ground to the garage door safety sensor on both sides and make sure they are at the same height. Also, measure from the wall the track connects to, and make sure the distance away from the wall is the same.
- Make sure that the vertical track is fastened tightly to the wall and is not wobbly. A loose garage door track can also cause the sensors to vibrate or move slightly during operation of the door.
- Corroded wiring, wires chewed by animals, poorly connected wires, or wires not connected into the head unit above, can also be a cause of the problem.
- One allusive issue could also be that there is a fault in the circuit board or sensors as a result of a power surge, water damage, or another failure. If you are still having an issue after following the steps above, then complete failure is a possibility. This could call for the replacement of both safety sensors, and/or the replacement of the circuit board from the head unit.
Where to Buy Sensors on Garage Door in Houston
If you have determined that your best solution is to replace your garage door sensors, then you may be able to find compatible ones at The Home Depot, Lowes, Sears, or Houston’s “Parts 4 Garage Doors” at 832-834-3477. Make note of the manufacturer and year the unit was made (usually stamped on the motor itself).
Garage door sensor issues are quite common and fairly easy to troubleshoot by following the steps mentioned above. CAUTION- One should not bypass the safety sensors, as they are an important safety feature of your garage door opener. An occasional adjustment should not be something overwhelming to the homeowner and is a small price to pay for the benefit these sensors provide. Maintaining and fixing small garage door problems will help keep you from having to call a garage door repair company later.
Spectrum Overhead Door has been serving the greater Houston area since 2006 and is happy to assist you with both service and general information relating to your garage door or opener unit. We are recipients of Angie’s List “SUPER SERVICE AWARD” and “BEST OF HOME ADVISOR” awards year-after-year. We are one of two companies who have met strict guidelines to qualify for the “BEST PICK REPORT” publication, and the Check A Pro “GOLDEN HARD HAT” award. Finally in 2017, for maintaining an A+ rating on the BBB for multiple years, we recently received their esteemed “GOLD STAR CERTIFICATE.”Feel free to call our local Houston office at 281-748-9542.
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