How to Line Up Garage Door Sensors

Garage doors have many functions, such as securing valuables and providing additional useful space. However, they are bulky objects that can weigh as much as 900 pounds, depending on dimensions and construction materials. This makes them a safety hazard, which is why they are equipped with a safety system called autoreverse. 

This feature relies on two photo-eye sensors to maintain safety as long as they function properly. This guide shows you how to line up garage door sensors and answers your questions about this critical safety mechanism.

What Are Garage Door Sensors?

Garage door sensors are devices connected to the garage door opener unit. They trigger the autoreverse feature, preventing the door from closing on objects in its path, such as people, pets or vehicles. The sensors send signals to the opener, alerting it of anything blocking the door’s path and triggering a reversal. 

Most sensors emit a line of infrared beams that signals the garage door to stop closing and retract when an object breaks the beam. Some sensors rely on pressure to detect a person or object in the way. When the bottom of the door touches the object, the least amount of resistance triggers a reversal.

For conventional drop-down garage doors, the sensors are located a few inches off the ground at the bottom of the door on both sides. This strategic location allows objects of all sizes to trip the beam and initiate a retraction. Pressure sensors require direct contact with an object, large or small, and are also installed at the bottom of the garage door.

How to Realign Garage Door Sensors

The most common sensors on garage doors are safety sensors, which rely on a beam connection from the emitter and receiver devices. Here’s how to adjust garage door safety sensors in case of a misalignment:

Examine Sensor Positions

The sensors are on the tracks near the bottom of the garage door, making them easy to spot. You want to examine each for obvious misalignment, but remember that slight misalignments are hard to notice. You can generally rely on the sensor’s LED lights to determine if the sensors are out of line. Garage door safety sensors are not identical. One emits the beam while the other receives it. As a result, the tiny LED lights on both devices react differently to a misalignment. 

The LED light on the emitter — usually yellow — remains constant, while the LED light on the receiver — usually green — will be off or flickering, suggesting the sensors are off course.

Adjust the Sensors

The process of adjusting the sensors can vary between garage doors. For sensors permanently fixed on the mounting bracket, you need to move the whole bracket, which means loosening the screws holding it to the tracks so you can adjust it with ease. Other sensors are held in their brackets by an adjustable wing nut that you can move around to realign the sensors. Loosen the wing nut, adjust the sensor and tighten the wing nut.

Remember you’re only working with the receiving sensor to ensure it realigns with the emitting sensor. If you move the emitter, you’ll still have to adjust the receiver until its LED light stops blinking or dimming and remains on. 

Signs of a Misaligned Garage Door Sensor 

Garage door sensors can malfunction for several reasons, including misalignment, faulty power supply, signal issues or general wear and tear. Due to the uncertainty regarding the issue, it’s important to seek professional garage door services and have an expert diagnose the problem.

Here are a few things to look out for when checking for a possible sensor misalignment:

• Garage door fails to reverse: If you test your sensors by placing an object in their path and the door fails to reverse, it could be a sign of a misalignment. Remember that a garage door continuing on its path, even with obstruction, is a symptom of various malfunctions, from sensor misalignment or damage to opener failure.
• Garage door fails to close: A possible sign of a sensor misalignment is when the garage door fails to close. If the door opens without issue but retracts whenever you try to close it remotely, the sensors could be falsely detecting an object in their path.
• Obstruction on the lenses: For infrared-based sensors, any interference with the beam could reverse the door or prevent it from stopping when there’s actual obstruction. That happens when dirt, grime or snow blocks the photo-eyes, obstructing a connection. While dirty lenses don’t misalign the photo-eyes, they displace the beam, creating a misaligned beam projection. 
• LED lights are out: Safety sensors have indicator LED lights that remain on when the sensors are working properly. If the lights are out, it indicates a misalignment or another malfunction.

What Causes Misaligned Sensors?

It’s important to know the possible indications of a sensor misalignment. It’s also equally important to know what usually causes misalignment so you can avoid the issue altogether. Here are common causes:

• Impact on the sensors that knock them out of line
• Dirt blocking the sensor lenses
• Loose or damaged brackets that shift the sensors
• Incorrect installation resulting in a higher and lower sensor configuration
• Damage to the wires and photo-eyes leading to false readings

What if These Steps Don’t Work?

It’s time to bring in professionals. There could be other faults with the sensors or garage door opener that have nothing to do with misalignment. If you misdiagnose the problem, realigning the sensors won’t help.

Sensors are so exposed that a bump could do more harm than throw them out of line. You may need to have the sensors replaced to restore the safety functionality. Also, bear in mind that there are different types of garage door sensors. If you own the pressure or contact sensor, steps specific to infrared sensors won’t work. 

Reach out to a reliable garage door service provider to correctly diagnose sensor problems and restore functionality regardless of your sensor type.

Contact RCS Garage Doors for Sensor Issues

Garage door sensors are critical to your well-being and the well-being of your loved ones. These devices have come a long way to curb the rates of severe injuries and deaths caused by knocks and entrapment. Realigning the sensors allows the opener to operate efficiently and maintain safety.

While you can realign garage door sensors, some situations require expert attention. The wires connecting the sensors to the powerhead may be low-voltage, but they carry a risk of injury. If you’re not sure you can safely realign the sensors, it’s best to let qualified technicians handle it. At RCS Garage Doors, we understand the inconveniences of garage door malfunctions and are well-equipped to handle them. Schedule a service today for expert solutions!