Safety Sensors and a Door That Won't Close
If your door starts down and goes back up, or the opener light blinks, the safety sensors are the first thing to check.
Request a technicianWhat they do
Two small eyes near the floor send a beam across the opening. If something breaks the beam, the door reverses.
Check for blockage
Snow, leaves, a bike or a bin in the way can stop the door.
Clean the lenses
Wipe dirt, cobwebs and frost off the lenses.
Check the lights
Most sensors have lights that show when they're lined up.
Bumped brackets
A bumped sensor can be gently realigned until the light is steady.
Wiring
Damaged wires can stop the sensors working.
Sun glare
Low winter sun can confuse some sensors.
Don't bypass them
Sensors are a key safety feature. Never disable them.
Next
See opener repair.
Test the reverse
Once a month, place a roll of paper towels in the door's path and close it. The door should reverse when it touches the roll. If it doesn't, stop using the opener and have it checked.
More garage door repair guides
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