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When your garage door opener malfunctions, you may be wondering how to disable garage door sensors. While this task isn’t an electrical one, you must turn off the power to the garage door opener at the breaker box. It is vital to turn off the power to the door opener to avoid accidentally triggering it while working. You might be leaving your home or returning from work when it accidentally activates. First, you need to loosen the sensors that hold the doors together in their mounting brackets. Make sure to do this slowly so that they don’t slide off on their own.
Read more: How to Disable Proximity Sensor
Troubleshooting garage door sensors
There are several steps you can take to troubleshoot garage door sensors. First, make sure that the sensors are aligned properly. Look for the green LED lights and if they’re off, check the sensor itself. If it’s green, you need to check its alignment. Otherwise, you can try replacing it. If you notice that the sensors are still not functioning, you may need to contact a professional.
Oftentimes, dirt and dust can block the sensors. If your garage is near a sunny window, this can interfere with the signal sent by the sensors. To clean the sensor lens, use a cloth to wipe it clean. Moisture from lawn sprinklers may also get into the sensor lens. If you live in a humid climate, you may also need to wipe the sensor lens often. It can affect the signal and cause the door to close.
Another common reason for the garage door not closing is that the photo eyes are dirty. Since photo eyes on garage door sensors are small, they become dirty over time. To remove dust and dirt, wipe the lenses with a mild cleaner. Make sure that you don’t damage the photo eyes. If the lenses are clean, the sensor should close properly. If not, you should replace it. This solution may not work in your case.
Learn more: How to Disable a Tire Pressure Sensor on Your Ford
Cleaning photo eyes
If the doors in your garage have stopped closing, cleaning the photo eyes in the safety sensors can solve the problem. Because photo eyes are made of glass, they tend to get dirty over time. To clean these, use a mild cleaner that won’t leave streaks. The lens cleaner can be used to clean the sensors without damaging them. You can call a technician to fix the problem, if the cleaning doesn’t solve the problem.
The photo eyes of your garage door will be located on both sides. Make sure they are aligned properly using a level or laser level. You can also test the alignment of the photo eyes by pressing a wall button or transmitter. You can also break a beam with a broom and push the button to open the door. Afterward, the garage door should reopen once again.
If you do not know which sensor is malfunctioning, check the infrared light. If the sensor is blocked by dirt, cobweb, or any other object, it will not work. The sensor will not close if it is blocked by dirt, dust, or debris. If it’s not blocked by dirt, then a piece of cardboard will do the job. Some people don’t have this problem, or it may be a situation that only occurs when the garage door is opened.
Identifying a malfunctioning photo eye
Several signs indicate that your photo eye is damaged or malfunctioning. You can check it by closing the door and observing the photo eye. If it is closed, the photo eye is properly aligned. If the photo eye is positioned incorrectly, a malfunction will result in the door opening and closing. You can also test the function by flashing the light of the opening mechanism. During the test, you should be able to see a reversal of the door.
If you notice a flashing red light or no light at all, you need to inspect the photo eye. A dirty photo eye may be the culprit. If it is, simply wipe it off with a soft cloth and try again. If that still does not work, call a technician to inspect the photo eye. Listed below are some tips to help you identify a malfunctioning photo eye on garage door sensors.
If you find a dark area, it is possible the photo eye is in the wrong position. Identifying a malfunctioning photo eye on garage door sensors is easy if you know how to diagnose and repair it. In general, residential sensors come with indicator lights. If they are blinking, the photo-eye is probably damaged. You should adjust the photo-eye with a hand, but you can also use a laser level to ensure you get the right position.
