Modern technology is one of the few things that constantly keep improving in this time and age, and the same holds true even in the garage door industry.
From being opened manually and by hinges, it is undeniable that garage doors have come a long way.
And they keep improving and improving.
Nowadays, with the advancement in technology, garage doors can become technological wonders by means of using different sensors to aid them with their functions.
Motion sensors, optical sensors, etc. these are just some of the sensors that can work with your overhead garage doors.
With the help of these sensors, opening and using your garage doors have become much more convenient and easier.
However, even the latest technology nowadays is not self-sustaining.
This means that over time, it is unable to improve itself or prevent itself from wearing out and eventually breaking down.
And the worst thing about relying on sensors is that it can be made to function as a series of commands and if one link isn’t working, it can affect all the remaining functions as well.
Fortunately for you, in this article, we will be discussing all that there is to know about overhead garage door sensors and if the need arises, how to fix a broken garage door sensor.
What are garage door sensors?
So, to begin with, what exactly are garage door sensors and how do they work?
Well, to answer your question, garage door sensors are basically the eyes of your mechanical system.
It enables your garage door to see and act depending on the information being perceived by your garage door sensors.
So if something is obstructing the path of your sensors, it will automatically inform the system not to close the garage door, thus preventing damages or accidents from happening.
The most commonly used sensors found on most garage doors are what we call optical sensors.
These sensors function by emitting infrared light towards the receiver sensor located on the opposite side of your transmitter sensor.
The existence of sensors opens up a lot of possibilities not only for your garage doors but also for a lot of other things.
With this technology, it may even be possible to completely automate and improve your garage door’s functions.
Why are your garage door sensors breaking down?
When your garage door sensors are malfunctioning or not working properly, it can affect the basic functions of your overhead garage door.
Firstly, you will not be able to close your garage door at all.
By learning exactly why your sensors are not functioning well or not working properly, it helps you deal with the problem at hand accordingly.
There are a lot of possibilities as to why your sensors are suddenly not working for you but this article will not be enough to deal with them all.
And as such, let us limit ourselves to the most common reasons why your garage door sensors are malfunctioning and what you can do to fix it.
Obstruction on sensor’s pathway
The most simple explanation of why your garage door sensors seem to be not functioning is due to this, obstruction.
If there is something on your sensor’s pathway or whatever that may prevent the red beam from reaching the receiver, then as a result, your door will not be able to close at all.
Different obstructions include dirt, material obstruction on the sensor’s path, and a lot more.
Sensors are mostly used for safety purposes so when your door does not close on you, make sure to check your sensors if there is anything on its way.
If there is, make sure to remove them accordingly.
Once you do this, try closing your garage door again and see if your garage doors are now functioning as it should.
No power source
If the previous method does not work out, then another likely possibility is that your sensor is not connected to any power source or must have gotten itself unplugged accidentally.
In order for sensors to function, they need to be powered by electricity.
So, without a power source, it is impossible for your garage door sensor to function at all.
One way to know if your sensor is powered up or not is by checking the LED indicator found on your garage door sensors.
If it is turned on, then nothing should be wrong with your sensor, otherwise, you may have to make sure it’s connected to a power source to have it running again.
Try checking your sensor’s connections to the powerline if it is disconnected, have damaged wires, or any possible reasons as to why the power has been disconnected.
Once you have identified the problem, make sure to have it remedied right away.
Misaligned sensors
This next reason is somewhat the same as the obstruction problem.
If and when your sensors are misaligned, the receivers cannot possibly receive the transmitted beam.
And when your receiver sensor does not receive said infrared beam, then no information is being perceived.
This is basically the same as when your sensor’s pathway is being obstructed.
So if your sensors do not work, after checking for any obstructions on its pathway, make sure to realign both your receiver and transmitter sensor and your garage door should go back to working just fine.
Damaged Garage Door Sensor
Lastly, if your sensors do not work no matter what you do, it is possible that the sensors themselves are damaged and therefore need to be replaced.
If you have a broken garage door sensor, there is no other way to have your overhead garage doors functioning again other than replace your broken sensors with new ones.
After having tried all the troubleshooting options listed above, you may try this as your last option.
To replace your garage door sensors, see the following instructions below:
- Disconnect your garage sensors from the power source.
- Disassemble the broken sensors from the brackets holding them in place.
- Begin assembling the wires of your replacement garage door sensor and prepare them for installation.
- Once done, install your newly assembled garage door sensor and fix them tightly on the brackets that are supposed to keep them in place.
- Lastly, align your sensors and connect them to the power source so that you can test out their functionality.
Follow these five easy steps and before you know it, you will have your broken sensors replaced in no time.
If you need further guidance, you may refer to the video below about replacing garage door sensors to help you out.
Conclusion
Your garage door sensors serve a very important role in keeping your garage doors functional.
Without your garage door sensors, you may be compromising a lot of things such as your safety and those of the people around you.
If you find yourself in a situation where no matter what you do you are unable to figure out what exactly is wrong with your overhead garage door sensor, then you should definitely consider asking for professional help from the closest garage door repair company near you.
If you live in Edmonton and are looking for a garage door repair company to help you out with your faulty sensors, then go with Legion Garage Doors.
Our company provides premium and quality 24/7 garage door repair services for both residential and commercial purposes.
Whatever problem you may be dealing with that is related to your garage doors, we can surely fix it for you.
Aside from repair services, we also offer garage door installation, replacement, and maintenance services suited to your needs.
What are you waiting for?
Contact us now!
We will surely not disappoint.
