My garage door will only close part way and goes back up.
We get calls with this issue every day. Most of the time, this issue means that the photo eyes/sensors are out of alignment. The photo eyes/sensors are a required safety precaution to prevent the door from closing on anyone or anything.
Checking to see if it is the photo eyes is relatively simple. There is one eye located on either side of the door that should be about 6 inches off the ground. Both photo eyes should have an LED light. If one of the photo eyes is out completely, flickering, or has a red light showing, that means that something is either blocking the sensors or they are out of alignment.
- Do a visual check of the area between the two sensors. Be sure that there is nothing in the way. The sensors are very sensitive and even a seemingly minor item can break the circuit action.
- Check the sensors to see if they are dirty. Use a clean damp cloth to brush off dust and cobwebs that might have developed. Use a clean dry cloth to dry the photo eyes.
- Once they are clean, check the lights on the sensors again.
- If they are still not functioning after cleaning, check the wires leading to the sensors. The wires can become tangled or brittle if something comes in contact with them. If you detect wire damage, please call Action Automatic Door & Gate and have the wiring or sensors replaced by one of our technicians.
- If the wiring appears intact, make small adjustments to the sensors until both lights are steady. If need be, you can loosen the screws and bolts that secure it and move the bracket to adjust the sensor. Be sure to tighten the screws and bolts securely after the adjustments.
If, after all the adjustments, you can’t get the sensors in alignment or if the sensors are in alignment but the door is still not operating properly, please call Action Automatic Door & Gate. We can send out a technician get the sensors in working order for you.
If you must close the door before a technician can there, press and hold the inside wall console. That will override the sensors.
Under no circumstances should you operate your door without sensors. Please think safety first.
