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

Garage door sensors play a crucial role in ensuring that your garage door opens and closes smoothly and safely. These sensors detect any obstruction in the path of the garage door and prevent it from closing, thus avoiding accidents or damage to the door. However, if the sensors are not aligned properly, they may malfunction and cause the garage door to stop working. In this article, we will discuss how to align garage door sensors in a step-by-step guide.

Understanding Garage Door Sensors

Garage door sensors are safety devices that are mounted on each side of the garage door, near the floor. They emit an invisible beam of light that connects to the other sensor. When an object interrupts this beam of light, the sensors detect it and signal the garage door opener to stop and reverse the door’s movement.

Signs That Your Garage Door Sensors Are Misaligned

If your garage door sensors are misaligned, you may notice the following signs:

• The garage door does not close all the way
• The garage door starts to close but then reverses before hitting the floor
• The garage door opener light blinks repeatedly

Tools You Will Need

Before you begin, make sure you have the following tools:

• A ladder
• A soft cloth
• A tape measure
• A screwdriver

Preparation

To align your garage door sensors, you need to make sure that they are both clean and in good condition. Start by inspecting the sensors to see if they are damaged, rusty, or dirty. If they are dirty, use a soft cloth to clean them. If they are damaged or rusty, you may need to replace them.

How to Align Garage Door Sensors

Step 1: Check the alignment of the sensors

First, make sure the sensors are properly aligned. To do this, stand inside the garage with the door closed and look at the sensors. They should be facing each other, and the lenses should be clean and free from any obstruction.

Step 2: Clean the sensors and lenses

If the lenses are dirty, use a soft cloth to clean them. Be gentle, as they are delicate and can easily get scratched.

Step 3: Adjust the sensors

Use a tape measure to make sure that the sensors are at the same height. If they are not, adjust them until they are. Use a screwdriver to loosen the screws on the sensors and move them until they are aligned. Then, tighten the screws.

Step 4: Test the sensors

Test the sensors by opening and closing the garage door. If the door opens and closes smoothly, then the sensors are properly aligned. If not, repeat the process until they are.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when aligning your garage door sensors:

• Not cleaning the sensors and lenses
• Not checking the alignment of the sensors
• Not adjusting the sensors properly

When to Call a Professional

If you are not comfortable working with garage door sensors or if you have tried to align them and they are still not working properly, it may be time to call a professional. They have the expertise and tools to diagnose and fix any issues with your garage door sensors.

Conclusion

Garage door sensors are essential safety features that need to be properly aligned to function effectively. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that your garage door sensors are aligned correctly, and your garage door operates safely.