Table of Contents
Have you ever wondered how the automatic reverse function of your garage door works?
The operation relies on the sensors located at the bottom of each side of your door’s opening.
These safety sensors detect obstructions on the garage doorway and send signals to your opener to stop closing.
Thus, the sensors are a crucial component for the safe and smooth functioning of your garage door.
For that reason, you should regularly perform a garage door safety check.
If you’re wondering how to test garage door sensors, this article will satisfy your curiosity.
If you encounter a problem with your garage door sensors, Cleveland Garage Door Pros can help you.
Our certified technicians can do your garage door repair in Cleveland.
All you have to do is to call us and wait for our team to arrive on the same day.
Contact us now!
How Do Garage Door Sensors Work?
Garage door sensors are strategically installed above the ground on each side of your garage door opening.
They are placed there to detect objects, people, and pets that your garage door may close down on.
Once they notice an obstruction on the door path, they will signal the opener to stop closing.
Your garage door will then go back up in the open position.
If your sensors are defective, your garage door won’t close normally at best.
That’s the case if your sensors detect obstructions even if there’s nothing on the way.
In the worst-case scenario, you could end up with an injury or damaged property.
This occurs when your sensors are unable to detect anything on its path.
How to Diagnose Malfunctioning Sensors
To properly diagnose that the sensors are the culprit for your garage door issues, you need to conduct a test.
This guide on how to test garage door sensors can help you determine if you have malfunctioning sensors.
- Create an obstruction on your garage door path using a cardboard box.
Alternatively, you can use other items that you’re willing to risk getting damaged.
- Make sure that you place the item where the sensors can easily detect it.
- After that, close your garage door.
If your garage door stops going down and reverses, then your garage door sensors are fully functional.
If not, then you need to perform other tests to identify what’s causing your garage door sensors to work erroneously.
Dirty Sensors
Unclean lenses can cause your garage door safety reverse feature to be defective.
The dust, grime, grease, and other debris on the lenses can block the sensors’ view.
This will prevent the sensors from detecting obstructions on the way.
Or, the sensors could view the dirt as barriers, causing your garage door to reverse non-stop.
If you haven’t cleaned your sensors in a while, now’s the time to do that.
Use a clean cloth to remove the dust and residues on your sensors.
Out of Alignment
Impacts and natural wearing can cause your garage door sensors to go out of alignment.
This is usually indicated by a red blinking light on the exterior LED light of your door.
In that event, you should check the bracket or screw holding your sensors.
If there is any loose screw, adjust the alignment of your sensors first before tightening the screws.
After that, the blinking should stop and the light should turn green.
This signals that your garage door sensors are now fixed and that you can finally operate your door properly.
Damaged Wires
Another sign of aging garage door sensors is faulty or damaged wiring.
The wires that link the sensors to the garage door opener may deteriorate due to various reasons.
Extreme weather, constant use, and destructive pests can damage the wires of your sensors.
Inevitably, your garage door sensors will operate abnormally.
You will need to replace the wires to restore the condition of your garage door sensors.
Conclusion
Sensors that are not in their best condition pose safety risks.
Your family and pets are in danger of getting hit by your garage door if it persists closing.
Apart from that, you can also incur damages to your car and valuables.
Thus, you should always conduct garage door safety tests.
Don’t delay!
Call Cleveland Garage Door Pros for your garage door repair in Cleveland.
We offer a wide range of garage door repair and installation services.
Our technicians will adeptly and efficiently address your needs.
Book an appointment with our professional team in Cleveland today!
