Quick Tips on How to Align Garage Door Sensors

What Are Garage Door Sensors & Why Do They Matter?

Since 1993, automatic garage door openers have been required to have garage door sensors that can sense an object obstructing the path of the garage door. When the garage door sensors detect an object in the door's path, the sensors prevent the garage door from closing. If the garage door is already closing when the sensors detect an object, the sensors cause the garage door to reverse course.



Garage doors weigh hundreds of pounds, and when these doors close on people or animals, injury or death can result. Your garage door opener, if it was installed after January 1, 1993, should have these sensors.

How to Tell If Your Garage Door Sensors Are Misaligned

Garage door sensors consist of an emitter that sends an infrared laser to a receiver. The emitter and receiver are on opposite sides of the garage door opening. If the emitter and receiver are misaligned, the receiver will not receive the information from the emitter.

If your sensors are misaligned, there are different ways that this can manifest. The garage door may stay open and refuse to close, even when you push the button to close the garage. This is happening because the garage door sensors are incorrectly sensing an object in the door's path.

The garage door sensors may also malfunction by closing the garage door - even if an object is in the door's path. Either way, it's important to ensure that your garage door sensors are properly aligned.



Most garage door sensors display a continuous green light when the sensors are properly aligned. You may also see a flashing red light or no light when the sensors are misaligned.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Align Garage Door Sensors

Aligning your garage door sensors is relatively easy. Sensors have to look straight at one another so that the infrared beam is transmitted from the emitter and received by the receiver. If they're not in alignment, an adjustment is necessary. Here's what to do:

Turn Off Power to the Garage Door

Locate the breaker that supplies power to the garage door, or unplug the sensors from their local power source.

Loosen the Sensor Mounting Screws

Use a screwdriver to loosen the screws that hold the sensor mounts in place. Do not completely unscrew the sensors. Instead, loosen the screws enough, so the sensor mounts can be adjusted.

Adjust the Mounting Bracket for Proper Alignment

Adjust the mounting brackets, so the sensors are pointed directly at one another.

Use a String to Ensure Level Positioning

Attach a string to the top of the mounting bracket on one side of the garage door, then run the string to the other mounting bracket. Pull the string taut. Rest a level on the string. If the level indicates the string is imbalanced, adjust the mounting screws until the string is level.

Secure the Sensors in Place

Use the screwdrivers to tighten the screws and secure the sensors.

Restore Power & Test the Sensors

Restore power to the garage door opener. Test the sensors to be sure they're working.

Test Your Garage Door Regularly

Test your garage door regularly to ensure that its sensors are working. Testing the sensors can help you identify a problem before someone gets hurt.

Start by checking for the continuous green light to indicate that the sensors are working properly. If the green light is not on, or if a blinking red light is displayed, check the alignment.

You can test your garage door sensors by placing a brick or a 2x4 in the path of the closing door. If the door continues to close even when something is placed in its path, realign the sensors and have them serviced if this doesn't correct the problem.

Other Problems Your Garage Door Sensors May Experience

Sensor misalignment isn't the only problem your garage door sensors may experience. Here are some other examples of the issues that can cause your garage door sensors not to work.

• Dirty lens. If the lens on one of the sensors is dirty, the information may not be transmitted properly to the receiver. If realigning the sensors doesn't work, clean the lens with a clean, dry microfiber cloth.
• Damage to the sensors. If the sensors become damaged, like with a frayed wire or another form of damage, then the sensors will need to be repaired or replaced. Talk to the team at Uplift Garage for help.
  

Get Professional Garage Door Service with Uplift Garage

Automatic garage door sensors are designed to save the lives of children, pets, and others who find themselves in the path of a closing garage door. Maintaining your sensors can help keep your household and guests safe. The professionals at Uplift Garage are here to help. We provide a range of garage door repairs, including garage door roller repair, spring replacement, and more. If you're noticing symptoms like your garage door keeps stopping, the professionals at Uplift Garage.

Is your garage door opener experiencing a problem? Do you have questions about how to align garage door sensors? Contact Uplift Garage today to make an appointment. Our experienced professionals can help restore your garage door to its original functionality. We're here to help.