Garage Door Sensor Repair
Automatic garage door openers use safety sensors to check if the area below the garage door is clear during the closing motion.
If safety sensors become misaligned, damaged, broken, or functioning incorrectly, a garage door may respond by not closing, closing but then reversing, or by having erratic behavior when responding to the garage door opener.
First Garage Door offers repair and alignment services for safety sensors throughout the service area of Orange County, which also includes the city of Irvine.
Services confirmed by First Garage Door include:
Just because a garage door will not close does not automatically mean there is a sensor problem. That same problem can be caused by numerous things, including the opener controls, wiring, other mechanical issues or other components.
The objective is to make sure the sensing safety system is actually the cause of the problem before any components are replaced.
- Garage Door Safety Sensor Repair
- Garage Door Safety Sensor Replacement
- Garage Door Safety Sensor Alignment
What Do Garage Door Safety Sensors Do?
Garage door safety sensors are located just below the garage door opening. Safety sensors work with an automatic opener to check the safety of the closing process. If the system does not operate as expected, the opener may reverse the closing process.
Sensor-related problems may be caused by:
- Damaged sensors
- Wiring
- Controls
- Obstructions
- Other closing mechanism problems
Because the safety sensor is just part of the system that is the garage door opener, the problem may not be with the safety sensor, even though the garage door does not close.
Signs You May Need Garage Door Sensor Repair
Some signs of a malfunctioning sensor are changes in the behavior of your garage door while closing.
You may notice:
- Garage door fails to close
- Door closes partially then opens
- Closing becomes random
- Opener activates but garage door does not finish closing
- Sensor appears to be misaligned
- Mount on sensor appears to be loose/damaged
- Sensor physically damaged
- Something contacted the sensor area and damaged it
- Door closes in a different manner
These symptoms can also happen for reasons that have nothing to do with the sensor. Replacement of the sensor cannot be assumed until the system as a whole has been checked.
Why Won't My Garage Door Close?
A garage door that fails to close almost always makes people think of safety sensors. However, a closing failure of the door can be caused by much more than failing sensors.
These causes can be:
- A stuck sensor
- A misaligned sensor
- A damaged sensor
- A broken sensor mount
- A broken pillar
- Wiring
- Roller or track issues
- Problems with door movement
- Any other mechanical issues
The cause of the failure can be taken care of by a repairman. Your problem may be Garage Door Opener Repair, Garage Door Sensor Repair, or something entirely different with your garage door.
Garage Door Sensor Alignment
Garage Door Sensor Alignment is a First Garage Door Service. The safety system will not operate if the sensors are not aligned correctly.
Cases where alignment is needed:
- One of the sensors has moved
- Mounting has been disturbed
- The sensors appear to not be in alignment
- The closing behavior has become erratic after touching the sensors
- The door begins to close then reverses closure
Alignment of the sensors should never be assumed the cause for a closing issue. If the other sensors or other components of the garage door opener are faulted, further service is warranted.
Garage Door Sensor Repair
Repair of the sensors is warranted if the garage door opener system is found to be serviceable.
The technician must evaluate:
- Sensors
- Alignment of the sensors
- Mounting of the sensors
- Damage to the sensors
- The connected system
- The response of the garage door opener
- Another component may be causing the same symptoms
The focus of the repair should be to correct the actual issue.
Garage Door Sensor Replacement
Sensors should be replaced to provide continued use of the garage door opener system if one has been damaged/fails. The service should first evaluate if the issue is solvable through correct alignment or other repairs.
Consider replacement when:
- The sensor is physically damaged.
- The existing sensor has failed.
- The sensor cannot perform correctly after being adjusted appropriately.
- Replacement is indicated as part of the scope of repair.
The replacement should be appropriate for the connected opener system.
Sensor Repair vs. Garage Door Opener Repair
Garage door safety sensors are part of the automatic opener system, which means that the symptoms of the sensor may also be symptoms of the opener as a whole.
Service on the Sensor May Be Indicated When:
- The sensor is obviously misaligned.
- The sensor has been damaged.
- The mount has been disturbed.
- The diagnosis has confirmed a fault that is specific to the sensor.
- Sensor replacement is needed.
Repair on the Opener May Be Necessary When:
For a full diagnosis and service on a garage door opener:
- The sensor is not the issue.
- The control of the opener has failed.
- The motorized operation of the opener has failed for some other reason.
- A more comprehensive diagnosis on the opener is needed.
For more information on garage door openers:
Garage Door Opener RepairSensor Problem vs Remote or Keypad Problem
A remote or keypad issue is distinct from a safety sensor issue. If the garage door operates from one control but does not operate from a remote or keypad, the issue would most likely be the control device and not the safety sensors. This page on sensor safety should remain focused on closing and safety sensors.
Can a Garage Door Sensor Be Blocked?
An obstructed sensor path can cause a closing issue. Before assuming the sensors need to be repaired, the homeowner can check to see if something obvious is covering the path between the sensors. Do not attempt to move or take apart any part if the issue is not clear.
If the path looks clear, but the door still will not close on its own, either the sensor system or the door opener likely needs to be serviced by a professional.
There is no workaround for a broken sensor. Cleaning, or even just removing the obstruction, will not correct a physically broken, failed or broken sensor that is not functioning correctly.
How Garage Door Sensor Service Works
- 01
Explain the Closing Problem
Explain the issues you are experiencing when closing the garage door to First Garage Door.
Things to include:
- Door will not close
- Door reverses during closing
- Door closing becomes inconsistent
- Damaged sensor
- Sensor was bumped
- Started happening all of the sudden
- 02
Inspect Sensor System
Safety sensors, position, mounting, and system operation can be reviewed.
- 03
Check Opener Response
The technician will determine if the symptom is being caused by the sensor system or by an issue related to the garage door opener.
- 04
Determine the Service Needed
The service may require:
- Realignment of the sensor
- Sensor repair
- Sensor replacement
- Garage door opener repair
- Additional garage door repair
- 05
Describe the Service
The technician will explain to the customer what they have identified and the reason for the service to be performed.
- 06
Review the Estimate Cost
Before the service can begin, the estimate will need to be approved.
- 07
Perform Approved Service
The sensor or related repair can then be completed.
- 08
Test the Operation
The closing operation and the sensor system response need to be tested.
How Much Does Garage Door Sensor Repair Cost?
The repair cost of a garage door sensor can depend on a variety of issues.
Things to consider:
- Sensor alignment issues - the work scope can be different
- Sensor condition
- Being able to repair the sensor vs needing to replace the sensor
- Other issues with the system
- Required mounting
- Complexity of the diagnosis
- The work scope for straight sensor replacement can be different than a work scope for sensor diagnosis and potential related work for the garage door opener.
First Garage Door does not publish fixed prices. The best way to proceed is for us to take a look and give an estimate for the actual repair needed.
Can I Align Garage Door Sensors Myself?
While homeowners may notice when a sensor appears obviously displaced, or when something is blocking the sensor path, repeatedly rotating components can make it more "fun" to figure out the reason. Sensor issues can be caused by many things from alignment to wiring to damage or a combination of issues with the opener system itself.
If a simple visual check is not able to resolve the issue, then contacting a professional can help with determining if sensors need to be aligned, need repair, or need to be replaced.
Garage Door Sensor Safety
Safety sensors are part of the automatic closing system, so a sensor problem should not be bypassed to make the door close.
If you notice any of these issues, the garage door should not be forced to operate:
- Continuous Reversing of the Door
- Mechanical instability of the door
- Garage door that is Hanging uneven
- Are unable to open or close Safety
If the problem is a safety sensor issue, and creates an urgent need for access, then an Emergency Garage Door Repair should be considered.
Why Choose the First Garage Door for Sensor Repair?
If a garage door is unable to close, then sensor repair is often the last option.
Sensor Services
First Garage Door offers the following:
- Garage Door Sensor Repair
- Garage Door Sensor Replacement
- Garage Door Sensor Alignment
- Connected Opener Evaluation
Since the sensors work with the opener, problems beyond the sensors can be identified and resolved through the appropriate service.
Repair vs. Replacement Guidance
In some instances, it may be sufficient to repair or align the sensors. Replacement of the sensors should be advised when deemed necessary.
Clear Service Scope
Before we begin servicing, we should advise you of the recommended work and costing.
Garage Door Sensor Repair in Orange County
First Garage Door offers repair, replacement, and alignment of safety sensors within its service area of Orange County, CA, including Irvine. This page should be your service resource for repair and alignment of garage door sensors. Location pages should provide local information with service descriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. First Garage Door offers repair for sensor problems.
Yes. Replacement of sensors is a service.
Yes. Sensor alignment is a service.
Yes. Sensor problems can prevent closing, though there may be mechanical, opener, or other issues that cause similar symptoms.
There are multiple issues that may cause a garage door opener to reverse, and this includes the controls on the opener or defects in the mechanical components. The cause may also be in the alignment of the sensors.
A sensor that is blocked or obstructed can affect the operation of the door. If you can't close the door, have the sensors serviced.
Not necessarily, the problem may be the sensors, the controls, tracks, rollers or some other defect in a mechanical component.
The sensors may only need to be aligned. There are cases where sensors need to be replaced.
The labor, sensors, mount and an inspection or diagnostic of the operation opener is what typically makes it cost more.
Garage door safety systems should not be avoided. They should be addressed.
There are many other possible defects, so you should check not only the safety sensors, but the mechanical components as well.
Yes. First Garage Door serves Orange County and that includes Irvine.
Garage Door Services in IrvineRepair Garage Door Sensor
Garage door safety sensors normally allow a garage door to close, but if misaligned or damaged, they may reverse the door halfway down or not close at all.
First Garage Door offers the following services:
- Garage Door Sensor Repair
- Garage Door Sensor Replacement
- Garage Door Sensor Alignment
Replacing the safety sensors is not recommended until other door components have been checked and evaluated for unnecessary replacements.
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