Have you ever gone into your garage and pushed the button to close the door, only to see a red light blinking on your garage door sensor? If you’re puzzled and asking yourself, “Why is My Garage Door Sensor Blinking Red?” – don’t worry, you’re not alone. That blinking red light is like a way for your garage door to say, “Help!” It’s telling you that something needs fixing.
In this blog, we’re going to know the ins and outs of garage door sensors, figure out that mysterious red blink, and show you how to make your garage door work properly again.
Let’s get started without further adieu.
What is Garage Door Sensor?
Before we start figuring out why the garage door’s red light is blinking, let’s talk about what the garage door sensor actually is and why it’s so important. Garage door sensors are like safety helpers. They come in pairs and are usually placed on each side of your garage door.
These little helpers send out an invisible beam of light. If something, like a person, a pet, or an object, blocks this beam, it tells the garage door to either stop closing or go back up. It’s a bit like a guardian for your garage to keep everyone and everything safe.
The garage door sensor lights that tell you what’s wrong:
- If there is no light on the garage door sensor, it’s a power problem, or something’s broken.
- When the lights are green, it’s working right. But if they’re red, there’s an alignment issue. Now, you need garage door sensor adjustment.
- If the garage door opener is flashing red, or when you see the light blinking on the garage door opener, it means the sensors aren’t working, and the door won’t close until it’s fixed.
Do you know why your garage door opens by itself? Give our blog a thorough read to learn all about this issue.
Why is My Garage Door Sensor Blinking Red?
Why does that red light blink? Well, there are a few common reasons:
Something Blocking the Way
Sometimes, there’s stuff in the sensor’s path, like objects, dirt, or even spiderwebs. If you see this, just remove them, and the light should stop blinking.
Sensors Not Looking at Each Other
These sensors need to “see” each other to work. If they’re not aligned properly, they won’t work right. Make sure they’re pointed at each other and their little lights are steady.
Wiring Troubles
The wires that connect your garage door sensor system can get damaged because of the weather, using the door a lot, or even bugs making a home there.
Sprinklers or Rain
At times, your garage door sensors can show a red light because of things like sprinklers or rain. To make sure they do their job properly, make sure they stay dry and free from dust.
Power Glitches
A blinking red light can also mean there was a power hiccup. Check that the sensors are getting power by looking at their connections and the outlet they’re plugged into.
Sensor Problems
Sometimes, the sensors themselves might be broken. If you’ve tried everything else and that red light won’t stop, you might need to replace one or both of the sensors.
Visit our blog to learn all about how to reset your MyQ Garage Door Opener in 30 minutes or less.
Troubleshooting and Solutions
Now, let’s talk about how to fix that annoying blinking red light:
Clear Obstructions
Look for anything that’s blocking the sensor’s view, like things in the way, dirt, or even spiderwebs. If you find any, just get rid of them with a clean cloth to start working again. It’s like giving the sensor a clear path. Plus, if your area is dusty, you might need to do this cleaning more often.
Check Alignment
These sensors should be like two friends having a good chat. They need to “look” at each other. Make sure they’re pointing straight at each other. If they’re not, try adjusting them so they are until you see the green lights on both of them, and those lights stay still without blinking.
Inspect Wiring
Take a good look at the wires connecting the sensors to the garage door opener. Check these wires for signs of trouble, like being wet or chewed on by insects. If you find any problems, you’ll need to put in new wires.
Just like any electronic stuff, your garage door sensors can get old and not work well. So, if your garage door isn’t doing what it should, or the garage door sensor is flashing red, see if the wires are worn out, especially if you’ve had them for more than five years.
Usually, these sensors work fine for about three to five years. If some are broken, fix or replace them.
Restore Power
Sometimes, it’s like the sensor got sleepy. Check if it’s getting power. Look at the connections and the place where it’s plugged in. Also, check for any switches that might be turned off or fuses that might have blown.
Replace Faulty Sensors
If you’ve tried all the other stuff and the red light still blinks, it might be that the sensor is faulty. You might need to get a new one to replace the old, broken sensor.
Call Professional
If you don’t feel confident in fixing the garage door sensor on your own, it’s a good idea to reach out to a professional garage door repair expert.
Safety Tips
When you see the red blinking light on your garage door sensor, remember to keep things safe. Follow these steps:
- No Forcing: If the sensor is acting strange, don’t try to close the garage door. It’s not safe.
- Be Careful When Disengaging: If you really need to go in or out, you can turn off the safety sensors on the garage door for a little while. But do this with caution, and it’s a good idea to have someone with you.
- Check Regularly: Get into the habit of looking at your garage door sensors from time to time.
- Test Them: It’s a smart move to test the sensors to make sure they’re working as they should. Here’s a simple test when your garage door sensor is not working: close the garage door and then step in the way of the invisible line between the two sensors. If the door doesn’t stop and go back up, the sensors might need a little adjusting or fixing.
All About Garage Door Sensor
One important thing you should know is where the sensors are placed. They’re about six inches from the ground on each side of the garage door. If a sensor has a problem, one of its lights starts blinking red. If the opener (the thing that opens and closes the door) can’t see that the safety sensors are working, it flashes its light and won’t close the door.
A sensor that’s not working right isn’t safe and can be a big problem. So, it’s a smart idea to check how well your garage door sensor is doing. Testing it is easy and quick, and it’s super important to make sure your garage door is safe.
To test it, you need something like a box or a block. Put this item right in the way of the door, and try to close the door using the garage door opener. If the door sees the object and goes back up, it’s doing its job correctly. But if it closes on the object, something’s wrong with the sensor, and you’ll need to figure out what’s causing the issue.
Need a Professional Help?
If you need help with your garage door opener in Aurora, CO, rely on Pop’s Garage Door LLC. We’re experts in setting up, fixing, and changing openers with good products. You can ask for a free estimate, and we provide dependable, safe openers for your convenience. Our well-trained experts offer excellent service and a wide selection of durable options. We care about your happiness the most.
Wrapping Up
To sum it up, if your garage door sensor blinks red, it’s like your garage saying, “I need help!” It’s all about safety, and knowing how to fix it keeps your garage safe. You can often fix it by clearing obstacles, making sure it’s aligned right, and checking the wires. But if you’re not sure, get a pro to help you. So, the next time you ask, “Why is My Garage Door Sensor Blinking Red?” you’ll know how to keep your garage secure.
FAQs
What does it mean when one garage door sensor is green, and one is red?
If one sensor is green and the other is red, it means they’re not lined up right, or something might be blocking them.
Can you bypass garage door sensors?
You can get past garage door sensors by stepping over them because they’re only two inches high. But be cautious, as this won’t prevent the door from closing. To completely bypass them, you can disconnect the garage door opener.
Do garage doors have a reset button?
Yes, you can find the reset button on the garage door motor, often called the “Learn or Home” button. It’s usually near the LED and on the same side as the antenna.
What does the red light on the garage door opener indicate?
A red light on the garage door opener can indicate a problem with the sensors or their alignment.
