It is not uncommon for garage doors to stop working accordingly. When such problems arise, you may find yourself in a panic. However, understanding how garage door sensors work and the causes of their failures can help you determine the best course of action to take.
This article elaborates on Pros & Cons of Glass Garage Doors sensor may fail and steps to remedy the problem. It is vital to inspect your garage door frequently to ensure it is in perfect working condition. However, if anything should cause it to malfunction, you can troubleshoot it by checking the reasons outlined in this article.
1. Dead Remote Control Batteries
One of the 5 Main Reasons Why Garage Door Sensor Not Working is the inability of your remote control to send a signal. That can happen due to dead batteries. If the remote control is not working, try replacing the batteries.
But how do you know if the problem is from your remote control? When was the last time you used your remote control? If you cannot remember, it has been a while since you last used it. If the batteries look corroded, the problem is with your remote control.
Replace the batteries and see if that fixes the problem. If not, there might be another reason causing the garage door not to respond.
2. Blocked or Misaligned Photo Eyes
A garage door comes with a photo eye installed on each side. These photo eyes work together to ensure that the garage door opens and closes safely. If one or both of these photo eyes are blocked, the garage door will not close.
These tiny photo eyes use sensors and infrared light beams to see that there are no vehicles or people in the way of the garage door. If anything gets in the path, it will stop the door from moving immediately.
The photo-eyes may also fail to respond when they are misaligned. You can test them by unplugging the sensor and taping a piece of paper or cardboard over one eye. Then press the button on your remote control to open the garage door. If the door opens, the problem is with one of the photo eyes.
You will need to realign the photo eyes. You can do it yourself or call a professional to help you out. Both photo eyes must be aligned for the proper functioning of your garage door sensor system.
3. Damaged Sensor Wires
Another cause of a malfunctioning garage door sensor is damaged wires. To find out if it is the cause of the problem, you will have to check for any damage. However, it can be difficult to notice because these safety sensors are covered by plastic casing, making it hard to see all the exposed wires.
If there are no broken or loose wires, the next step would be to check for voltage at the sensor. To do this, you will need a multimeter. If there is no voltage, check the transformer or inside the opener.
If you have determined that it is a damaged wire causing your garage door sensor not to work, you will need to replace it. It is most reasonable to call a professional for this job, as it can be dangerous if done incorrectly.
Damaged wires are one of the most common reasons garage door sensors stop working. Be sure to inspect your garage door wiring regularly and look for any signs of damage.
4. Transmitter Problem
The garage door sensor transmitter is the component that sends the signal to your remote control. If this component is not working, you cannot open or close your garage door using the remote.
To test the transmitter, disconnect it from the opener and plug it into a power outlet. If it works, then the problem is with the opener. However, if the transmitter does not work, you will need to replace it.
Replacing a garage door sensor transmitter is relatively easy. First of all, disconnect your opener from the power supply and remove its cover. Unplug the old transmitter and install a new one into the same space.
If the transmitter comes with internal batteries, you will need to remove the old ones and install new ones. Finally, replace the cover of your opener and reconnect it to the power supply.
The transmitter is a common component that goes bad and causes garage door sensors not to work. Be sure to test it regularly for any signs of damage or malfunction.
5. Is the Power On?
The whole garage door system relies on electric power. If the power is not on, then nothing will work correctly. To check if your garage opener has a power supply, you can use a multimeter or look for any burned-out fuses in the electrical panel box of your home.
If there are no blown fuses and your garage door still does not work, it could be due to a tripped circuit breaker. Tripping occurs when there is a surge or short in the wiring. Tripping can also happen if you plug too many devices into one outlet and overload the circuit.
Unplug the opener and all the other devices plugged into the same outlet. Once everything is unplugged, try resetting the circuit breaker by turning it off and then back on again. If this does not work, you might have to call a professional electrician to help you out.
Summary
Having a failed garage door system can be frustrating and inconvenient. By troubleshooting the problem, you can save yourself a lot of time and money. If you are still having trouble fixing the sensor system, it is best to call a professional. They have the experience and knowledge to get your garage door up and running again in no time.
Remember these five main reasons a garage door sensor could fail to respond. Without understanding the cause, you will not be able to fix it. Make it a habit to inspect your system regularly for any signs of damage or malfunction. It will help you avoid future problems and keep your garage door sensor working.
Author Bio-Jhon Lee is a dedicated content marketing professional. Since quite some time, he has been closely following trends in the travel industry. Prior to joining the travel and vehicle industry, he worked in a variety of domains. In order to keep her garage safe, she always considers Elite Garage Door & Gate Repair whenever she modifies her garage.