The sensors on your garage door are designed to keep you safe by letting you know that your garage door is operating correctly. So, when the sensor light on your garage door opener is blinking, it’s a cause for concern. In some cases, the fix can be as simple as decluttering the area around your photosensors. Other times, flashing lights can indicate a more serious issue.
If you’re stuck wondering why your garage door light is blinking, keep reading for an answer, tips on how to fix it, and advice on when it’s time to call a professional.
The Safety Lock is Engaged
Many garage door openers come with a feature that allows you to lock the opener so it can’t be controlled with a remote. When the lock position is activated, you can only control the door from the manual switch. You may decide to use this feature when:
- You’re away from home on vacation
- You are working in your garage and need to leave the garage door open
- Your garage door system is receiving maintenance
If you see a blinking light on your opener when you use the remote, that’s a likely sign that your safety lock is engaged. Check your owner’s manual for instructions on how to disengage it.
The Photo Sensor Needs Cleaning or Realignment
Your garage door is equipped with photo sensors that automatically reverse the door if they detect movement beneath it. If these sensors are misaligned, obstructed, or dirty, your opener may flash continuously. Depending on the model, your opener may flash up to 10 times. If you own a Liftmaster, Craftsman, or Chamberlain model, misaligned sensors will display a yellow light, while properly aligned sensors display a green light.
To realign or clean your sensors, you’ll need to locate the separate sending and receiving sensors. They are typically stationed 6 inches from the ground near your garage door track. If nothing obstructs their view, try wiping the photo-eye with a microfiber cloth. If your opener is still blinking, your sensors are likely misaligned.
Next, follow these steps:
- Using a ruler, measure the distance from the ground for each sensor to ensure that it is the proper distance from the ground.
- Remove the wing nut with a wrench and adjust the sensor up or down until you reach the correct alignment. Check with your owner’s manual to determine how to tell if your sensors are properly aligned.
- Replace the wing nut securely without over tightening it.
- Try opening your garage door again.
If you follow these steps to check your photo sensors and the light is still blinking and/or your door won’t close, you may have a wiring issue.
The Wiring Needs Maintenance
Remember that garage doors can weigh 300 lbs or more. A malfunctioning or falling door can severely injure a person or pet. For this reason, let a professional handle issues that indicate a wiring problem, issues with your tension springs, or other garage door mechanics.
Many openers come with a light indicator guide in the owner’s manual. Oftentimes, this will also tell you if you have a wiring problem. Hire a professional to fix this issue and perform yearly maintenance to ensure your entire system keeps working properly.
Garage door openers can malfunction due to wiring that is:
- Shorted out
- Improperly installed
- Old and in need of replacement
Nothing Else is Working?
If you’ve followed the above steps and still cannot get your garage door to function properly, American Garage Door is here to help. With over 30 years of experience, there’s not a garage door issue we haven’t fixed. Our decades of experience come with a service guarantee and hundreds of happy customers throughout the Denver, Colorado area. Contact us today if you experience any of the common signs you need garage door repair. We’re glad to help!
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