GARAGE DOORS EXPERT

For the most part, a garage door alarm sensor is one of the top fail-safe mechanisms you have with your garage door monitor system. However, to best diagnose and resolve a sudden system shutdown, a basic understanding of its operation will help tremendously and quite possibly save you time and unnecessary major headaches and perhaps an entire garage door sensor replacement. 

Acting as a pair of electronic eyes, the lenses create a beam of light that, when broken, activates an emergency procedure that stops your garage door from crashing to the floor. As simple as that may sound, the lenses emitting the garage door laser sensor must be unobstructed, cleared of twigs, snow or ice, toys, tools, etc., and free of dust, dirt, and scratches. Even something as delicate as a leaf or cobweb can block the sensors. You can use a soft cloth and a mild cleaner to wipe away any dirt or debris from the lenses.

Can you put a garage door sensor on a garage door?

Upon initial installation, you'll notice that the garage door opener sensor component is normally installed about 4 to 6 inches from the garage floor abutting the guard rails. It is not usually recommended to be placed elsewhere. Although it may mean a few extra minutes of general maintenance on your part, it is best to leave the sensors installed by a professional technician to stay within warranty and safety code regulations.

Why is My Garage Door Alarm Sensor Not Working?

There are various reasons to address this question, but first, let's clarify why sensors are so important and how you test a garage door sensor to ensure any DIY repair is within reason. The primary and most diagnosed reasons for either a fix or to seek out how you can tell if a garage door sensor is bad and beyond repair are:

● A power issue either via a circuit trip or blown fuse.

● A broken garage door sensor wire.

● A misaligned garage door sensor unit.

● A faulty unit, in which case, an entire garage door sensor replacement is in order.

A blown or tripped breaker is simply a case of flipping the breaker back at your circuit control box or, in some cases, changing the fuse. The garage door sensor wire can be another issue altogether. Depending on the problem, it could be either a loose connection or a more problematic frayed or snapped one. If it is the former, then with all power off and a proper screwdriver, tighten the placement screw, being careful not to strip it. If the garage door sensor wire is ripped or torn, do not attempt to repair it. Instead, call in a professional for safety reasons. 

How Do I Know If My Garage Door Sensors Are Misaligned?

The first step is to open or close your garage door manually. If the garage door does not close properly, chances are either one or both of your garage door laser sensors are out of alignment. Upon a quick visual, if either bracket of the sensor casing has been moved, you can try to line things back up. 

Keep in mind that while a proper alignment is also easily undertaken, it should be done gently when pivoting the units, even though they are manufactured to take a few minor hits and dings, any undue or excessive wear and tear on the garage door safety sensor encasings. You can end up without one or both in operational mode at all.

The Garage Door Sensor Light Show

To diagnose an alignment issue, all garage door laser sensors are equipped with led lights, allowing the naked eye to see the working condition of the optical laser. Generally, there are three lights that have a color association and function assigned to them; red, amber, or yellow and green. If you think of a traffic light trio, things come into clearer view for you with that analogy. Of course, if the garage door sensor has no visible light, go to the main power source on the opener and check the wall plug or breaker box. 

Another thing to keep in mind about your specific garage door safety sensors in the manufacturers product that you are using. Some companies may have assigned the garage door laser sensors and the associated beam colors a different operational mode. It is always best to ask a professional. Read all the accompanying manual guides, and if in doubt, just have a trained technician come out and do an overall inspection or a garage door alarm sensor install.

What is the Red Light on the Garage Door Sensor?

The red light indicates that the door is closed. 

● If your garage door sensor is blinking red, this usually advises you that a garage door sensor is out of alignment, and a quick fix could be a bracket repositioning. 

● Alternately, a garage door sensor blinking red light can be letting you know that you can be back on the right track with basic cleaning of the lens:

Why is the Garage Door Sensor Green But Not Working?

The green light indicates that the door is open.

These lights also help alert the user if the door is not closed correctly or if there is an obstruction.

● A disconnect at the main power source.

● A faulty or loose wire.

● A defective garage door unit.

!! Don't let the green fool you. Both garage door sensors don't need to be green either!!

But what about the middle "caution" yellow/orange light? If your garage door sensor is yellow, this is a cautionary sign that tells you a couple of things:

● A garage door sensor yellow light, with a beep sounding approximately every 2 seconds, indicates the garage door opener is activating the door OR

● Your operating on battery power. 

● A flashing yellow light on the garage door sensor, sometimes accompanied by a beep sounding every 30 seconds, indicates the garage door monitor battery power is low.

Is There an App for That?

As we adapt almost incessantly to the new advances in computer technology, satellite connectivity, and expansive Wi-Fi SMART devices, you may wonder, "Is there a system that will warn me that I left my garage door open, to begin with, or is my sensor unit defective?" 

Start with any remote you have with your opener. Either in your vehicle, mounted beside the garage door, on a keychain, numeric press button panel on the door exterior, or inside your home; all these can be used to monitor activity. 

Now, you can update your SMART device to include an application that will give you visual contact AND the longer distance digital power to either open or close your garage door. Options with this are abundant and can overwhelm the consumer with which app brand to go with. Still, with your professional garage door service technician's advice and installation assistance, you can have extra residential and commercial safety. 

What is the Best Service for Garage Door Sensor Maintenance in the Greater Boston Area?

For five-star service related to your garage door sensors or to inquire about a garage door sensor installation, repair, or alignment, Mass Garage Door Experts is your Greater Boston best contact. Quick, meticulous, and top-trained across-the-board certified master tech Ronen Sisso is ready to put his years of highly accredited experience to work for you and all of your residential or commercial garage door needs. Call 888-989-8758 for direct and immediate contact and book your quotation appointment now.