How To Deal With A Malfunctioning Garage Door Sensor?

On a typical day, you jump in the car, buckle up and head out of the garage. You hit the garage door remote, and all you get are light flashes, but the door is not closing. In most cases, when this happens, the garage door reverses. Despite the garage door sensors being up to standards, they will malfunction if not properly maintained. This may be due to safety sensors not receiving signals from your remote or being blocked. Before you decide to purchase new sensors, there are some steps you can take to revert the malfunction. At Metro Garage Door Repair, we value our customers’ delight as we ensure proper care, repair, and maintenance of your garage door. From the wide range of services that we provide, here are some key things you can do on your own to deal with a malfunctioning garage door sensor. 

Replace Garage Door Remote Batteries

The problem could be expired remote batteries and not a malfunctioning garage door sensor. Try replacing your old batteries before trying other troubleshooting methods highlighted below. Press the transmitter on your remote, and your problem is likely to be solved.

Clean The Lenses

Having a dirty garage door sensor is one of the main reasons your garage door would not close. The lenses are much like those used in cameras and are covered by glass. Wipe the lenses with cotton wool or a soft piece of cloth soaked in a mild cleaning agent. Avoid staining or leaving streaks of stains on the lenses as you are likely not to get the desired results. Also, avoid using a lot of cleaning agents. More of it can wet the lenses, attracting more dirt.

Misaligned Sensors

Sometimes you can have door sensors that are misaligned. The photo-eye is strategically placed and shown in a particular direction during installation. The angle should always be maintained and face the same direction. Good alignments are to ensure the completion of both sending and receiving signals. Check your door signal receiver for the green light. If the light is off or blinking, the receiving unit is not receiving the call. It may result from faulty wiring, which means the unit is not receiving the signal or it is blocked.

The unit may be blocked by the hinge holding it or could have been hit by a garbage can, bike, or even wrong adjustment. Loosen the winger using a screwdriver and position the sensor pointing to the other side of your garage door. The unit should turn green and stop blinking, meaning it is now receiving the signal if the wiring is good. To check if your signal sending unit is powered, it should have the amber light on. With the adjustments, your garage should now be able to operate as usual.

Check The Sensors Wiring

If the problem is still not resolved after all the above, check the wiring on the sensors. If the amber light is off, there is a problem with the wiring. Wiggle each of the wires, and there’s the likelihood that you will locate or chase down where the problem is. If you locate it, make sure to turn off the power source before fixing the broken part. Use a dark or electrical tape to hold the part firmly for continued power supply to the door signal receiving unit. If you conclude that the wiring and sensor are good, consider checking out the garage door unit opener to ensure the wiring is good.

Replace The Sensors

If all the above remedies may fail, you may consider replacing the sensors. This is the perfect time to check if the sensors are spoiled and replaced with new ones. Plug the unit in the power supply and check the amber lights on the signal sender and green light on the receiver. If any is off or still blinking, consider engaging an expert to check your system and have it repaired. You may decide to install a new system if the repair also fails.

Garage door malfunction can be frustrating if it happens at the most unexpected time when you are late for work or heading for an important engagement. This may cause great inconveniences, not to mention the wasted time. Ensure to find a good garage door repair company that will repair and properly maintain your garage door. Their experts should be able to conduct regular check-ups to save you such inconveniences. A well-maintained door also helps prevent accidents, damages, and injuries.