Garage Door Repair Hugo MN › Sensor Repair
Garage Door Sensor Repair Hugo MN
If your garage door goes down and comes straight back up, will not close, or the opener lights blink, the safety sensors are the first thing to look at. Most of the time it is a five minute fix you can do yourself. Here is how to check them, and when to call.
Quick fix firstBefore you pay for a visit
Price before we startWritten, and you approve it
Wiring and sensors checkedNot just swapped
Based in Hugo5564 152nd St N
Signs the sensors are the problem
- The door goes down partway and reverses, or will not close at all.
- The opener lights blink when you press the button, and the door does not move.
- One sensor light is off, flickering or a different color from the other.
- It works fine most of the day and fails at certain times.
- You can press the wall button, hear the opener click, and nothing happens.
If the door will not close and the sensors are fine, see garage door will not close. If the door will not open either, go to why a garage door will not open, which covers the full set of checks.
The five minute fix
- Look at the two sensors near the floor, one on each side of the door. Remove anything in the way, such as a bag, a bike wheel or a stored box.
- Wipe both lenses with a dry, lint free cloth. Low sensors collect dust and cobwebs.
- Check that each sensor is pointing straight at the other. If one is bent, loosen its wing nut, turn it until the light glows steady, and tighten it.
- Gently tug the wires at the sensors and at the opener to make sure they are attached.
- Close the door with the remote and see if it makes it to the floor.
If the door still reverses, keep reading. If one light stays dark, the sensor or the wire behind it has probably failed.
Sensors still not working? Call and tell us what the lights are doing. We can often tell you the likely cause on the phone.
What the sensor lights mean
Colors depend on the brand and the model, so use this as a guide and check your opener manual for the exact meaning.
| Light | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Steady on, both sensors | Working and lined up |
| Amber or yellow on one sensor (LiftMaster, Chamberlain) | That sensor has power and is sending the beam |
| Green on the other sensor (LiftMaster, Chamberlain) | Receiving the beam. Steady means lined up, blinking or off means misaligned or blocked |
| Red on a Genie sensor | Sending the beam, and it may flash for diagnostics |
| One light off or flickering | Misaligned, blocked or a wiring fault |
| No lights at all | No power to the sensors, a wiring fault or a failed opener board |
Sources: Chamberlain support and Fixurge, which covers LiftMaster, Chamberlain and Genie. Some universal and older units use a different pattern.
Sunlight, frost and wiring
Sunlight on the lens
If the door fails only at certain times of day, direct sun may be hitting the lens. Shade it with a piece of cardboard, without blocking the beam. In winter the sun sits low, which can hit sensors that are fine in summer.
Frost and moisture
A wet or frosted lens can block the beam. Dry it and check the housing. Snow melt off the car can drip onto them all winter.
Damaged or loose wire
Look for a break, a chewed wire, water damage or a loose terminal. A fault on the sending side often shows as a flashing light. Wiring faults are best left to a technician.
Why you should never bypass them
It is tempting to tape over a sensor or disconnect it just to get the door closed. Do not. Photo eye sensors have been required on openers sold in the United States since 1993, and they are what stops the door from closing on a child, a pet or a car (Today’s Homeowner). If yours are failing, fix them or replace them.
What sensor repair costs in Hugo
These are estimates, not a quote and not fixed prices. Your written price is confirmed before we start.
| Repair | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Sensor alignment or replacement, Hugo estimate | $75 to $150 |
| Sensors, parts and install, published range | $85 to $100 (NextLevel Garage Co.) |
| Remote, keypad or wall switch | $30 to $150 (NextLevel Garage Co.) |
| Logic board or electronics | $100 to $250 (NextLevel Garage Co.) |
If the sensors are fine and the opener itself is failing, see garage door opener repair in Hugo. For the bigger picture, see garage door repair cost.
Sensor repair near Hugo
We are based on 152nd Street North and work across Hugo and the towns around it.
- Hugo
- Lino Lakes
- Centerville
- Columbus
- Forest Lake
- White Bear Lake
- Stillwater
See the full service area.
Garage door sensor questions
Why does my garage door go down and then back up?
Usually the safety sensors think something is in the way. They may be dirty, knocked out of line or blocked. If the door reverses only when it reaches the floor, the travel limit or the floor seal can also be the cause.
What do the lights on garage door sensors mean?
On most LiftMaster and Chamberlain openers one sensor has an amber light, which shows it has power, and the other has a green light, which should stay steady when the two are lined up. A blinking or dark light means misalignment, an obstruction or a wiring problem. Colors vary by brand and model, so check your manual.
Can I close my garage door if the sensors are not working?
Do not bypass or tape over the sensors. They are there so the door reverses if a child, pet or car is in the way, and openers sold in the United States have been required to have them since 1993. Fix the sensors instead.
Why do my garage door sensors only fail at certain times of day?
Direct sunlight on the lens can confuse the beam. A small shade around the sensor, without blocking the other sensor, can help.
How much does it cost to fix garage door sensors in Hugo?
As an estimate, sensor alignment or replacement runs about $75 to $150, and NextLevel Garage Co. lists $85 to $100 for the sensors. Rewiring can cost more. Your written price is confirmed before we start.
When should I call a technician instead of fixing it myself?
If cleaning and re-aligning does not fix it, or you find damaged wire, water in the housing or a burning smell, stop and call. Wiring faults should be handled by a professional.
Call about garage door sensors in Hugo
Tell us what the lights are doing and whether the door reverses. We will say whether it is a quick fix, give you the price first and set a time.
Garage Door Repair Experts
5564 152nd St N, Hugo, MN 55038
Email: garagedoorexperts@hugogaragedoorrepair.com
What to tell us when you call
- What the sensor lights look like
- Whether the door reverses or will not close
- The opener brand, if you know it
- Your street or Hugo neighborhood