Garage Door Sensors Not Working? Here’s What to Do

Garage door sensors, also known as safety eyes, play an important part in preventing accidents. They detect obstructions and stop the door from closing on a person, pet, or object. If your garage door won’t close or keeps reversing, faulty sensors may be to blame. This guide walks you through how to troubleshoot garage sensors and fix common issues.

Signs Your Garage Door Sensors Need Attention

Here are a few things you might notice when your sensors need troubleshooting:

• If the garage door won’t close, the sensors could be blocked physically or have a dirty lens.
• The sensor lights are blinking, which is usually a sign of misalignment.
• The door only closes when you hold the wall button in sensor override mode.
• You see no indicator lights, which could mean power loss or wiring issues.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting and Realignment

Here’s how to try a basic garage door sensor fix at home:

1. Inspect alignment: Sensors should face each other and be at the same height.
2. Check LED lights: One blinking light often means the sensors are misaligned.
3. Adjust brackets: Loosen screws and gently shift sensors until both lights are solid.
4. Tighten screws: Once the lights are steady, secure the brackets to keep them in place.
5. Test the door: Try closing the garage door with the remote or wall button. If it works, the problem’s solved.

Cleaning the Sensors

Dirty lenses can block the signal and mimic a failure. Even a thin layer of dust or cobwebs can interfere with performance. Before you call for service, try wiping each lens with a soft cloth or cotton swab. Avoid chemicals — gentle cleaning is all that’s needed.

Interpreting Blinking Lights or Error Codes

Most openers use blink patterns or codes to help identify problems. Refer to your garage door opener’s manual for specific meanings and let these codes guide your garage sensor repair efforts.

Knowing When It’s Time to Replace the Sensors

If your sensors are cracked, exposed to water or not working despite troubleshooting, replacement might be the best route. Faulty wiring or old models may no longer be compatible with new systems.

Leave Troubleshooting to Our Garage Door Specialists

At R & R Doors, we’re a family-owned team with generations of experience. We provide free estimates, personal attention and dependable garage door service, including repairs for sensors, cables, openers, springs, hinges and more. Feel free to schedule an estimate or service today! Our team treats every home like our own and stands behind everything we install or repair.