The two eyes near the floor
Garage door safety sensor repair
Sensor light blinking, or the door won't stay closed? Wipe both sensors first, then check that they still face each other. Those two checks often fix it.
How they work
One sensor sends an invisible beam across the opening to the other. If the beam is blocked while the door closes, the opener reverses the door.
So a dirty lens, a knocked bracket or a loose wire can make the door act as if something is in the way.
What is happening
The opener can't see the beam, so it won't close the door normally. Blinking lights on the opener or a sensor usually signal this.
What is safe to do
- Wipe both lenses with a dry, soft cloth.
- Check that nothing is leaning on either sensor.
- Check the lights. On most models, steady on both means the beam is getting through.
- Move a sensor gently by hand and see if the light changes.
What to leave alone
- Don't bend the brackets hard to line the sensors up.
- Don't disconnect or tape the sensors so the door will close.
If you need to close it before it's fixed
This page explains the stopgap of holding the wall button, and how to test that the door still reverses. A door whose sensors or reverse don't work isn't safe around children or pets.
Door stuck, or opener dead?
Call this number and tell the independent contractor you reach what the door is doing.