How to Align Garage Door Sensors in 7 Easy Steps
If your garage door is refusing to close, there is a good possibility that misaligned sensors may be the cause. Sensors on the garage door were made as a safety feature to detect obstruction and thus prevent the door from closing if anything gets in the way. A misaligned sensor can make the door stay open when you want it to close, which can be quite inconvenient and perhaps even create a security risk. Fortunately, aligning your garage door sensors is something you can quite easily accomplish on your own. Here’s a 7-step guide to get them back in line.
1. Learn How the Sensor System Works
Garage door sensors work by sending an invisible beam between two devices: the sending sensor, and the receiving sensor. In case the beam is interfered with, or out of alignment, the door won’t close. Before beginning, make sure nothing is blocking the sensors, and the door is working fine otherwise.
2. Switch off Power to Garage Door Opener
Safety first! Cut power to the garage door opener so that while working on the sensors, there will not be an accidental movement of the door. Most have a plug that one can easily pull from an outlet or, if needed, flip a circuit breaker.
3. Locate the Sensors
Garage door sensors usually attach to either side of the doorway, about 6 inches off the floor. The sensors should face each other across the garage door track. Make sure that dirt or other debris has not built up on the sensors. Give them a quick clean if necessary.
4. Loosen the Screws on Each Sensor Bracket
Each sensor has been mounted on a metal bracket that attached to the wall or the door track. Loosen all the screws of the brackets slightly with a screwdriver so that the sensors can move around. This flexibility will help you in adjusting the alignment until they are perfect in level.
5. Adjust the Sensors
Move each sensor carefully until they are pointed at each other. To better align precisely, utilize a level to ensure both sensors are at the same level. Once you believe the sensors have aligned, make sure to screw the screws in their brackets carefully to avoid shifting the sensors from alignment.
6. Indicator Lights CHECK
Most sensors have a small LED light. When aligned properly, both sensors should be on solid; most of the time, the color is green. If one or both lights are blinking or not on at all, adjust the sensors so that both lights are on but remain steady. A blinking light simply means the sensors are still not aligned.
7. Replace Power and Test the Door
Once the sensors have been aligned, reconnect the garage door opener to its power source. Check whether the door is working fine and closes smoothly by pressing the remote or the wall button. If the door does not close now either, then recheck the alignment because sometimes even a little misalignment in setting creates all the problems.
Wrapping Up
Alignment of the garage door sensors is a simple job that could save you from bigger issues later on. By keeping your sensors in proper alignment, you will make certain that your garage door works reliably and the safety mechanisms are functioning in the way they are supposed to. If the problem persists after trying all of the above, there might be a deep underlying problem, and that may be something when you call a professional.
Well, there you have it!
Follow the steps above to give your garage door sensors the best they can get, especially when speaking of performance. Accomplishing simple maintenance and performing frequent checks will go a long way in keeping your entire system current, proficiently running, and dependable.
To keep your garage door operating quietly and smoothly, regular maintenance like proper lubrication is essential. Following these simple steps can make a huge difference, but if you’re experiencing issues beyond lubrication, don’t hesitate to reach out.
For expert garage door repair and maintenanceIn Houston, TX and the surrounding area’s, Ranger Garage Door Repair is here to help. Contact us today for professional assistance and keep your garage door in top condition!
(832) 691-5565
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