If your garage door sensor is not working, you’re not alone. Many homeowners in League City run into this frustrating issue, especially when they’re in a hurry and the automatic garage door just won’t close. Fortunately, most problems with door sensors can be fixed with a little guidance.

Whether it’s a sensor misalignment, wiring issue, or blockage, we’ll walk you through the possible reasons your garage door sensor stopped working—and how to fix it.

Understanding How Garage Door Sensors Work

Before we troubleshoot why your garage door sensor isn’t working properly, it helps to understand how these sensors operate.

Garage door safety sensors are located on either side of your garage opening, about six inches from the floor. They send an invisible infrared beam back and forth. If something blocks the beam, the door will reverse or won’t close at all.

This safety feature is built into most automatic garage door systems, including brands like LiftMaster and Chamberlain.

Common Reasons Your Garage Door Sensor Stopped Working

There are a few usual suspects when your automatic garage door suddenly stops responding to commands. Let’s dive into what can cause door sensors to malfunction.

1. Sensors Are Out of Alignment

When garage door sensors are misaligned, they can’t “see” each other, and the door won’t close. This is one of the most common reasons a garage door sensor stops working.

What to look for:

• One or both sensor lights are blinking or off.
• The door starts to close, then reverses.

Fix: Gently adjust the sensors until the sensor lights glow steadily. This shows the sensors are aligned properly.

2. Something Is Blocking the Infrared Beam

Even small objects can prevent the sensors from functioning correctly.

Check for:

• Boxes, bikes, or toys in the way of the door.
• A cobweb, layer of dust, or even moisture on the sensor lenses.

Fix: Make sure nothing is blocking the beam. Clean the sensor lenses with a soft cloth to remove dust or spider web buildup. When the sensors are clear, try to close the door again.

3. Damaged Wires or Wiring Issues

Garage door sensors are connected to the opener’s motor via wiring. Over time, vibration from the door or accidental bumps can cause loose or damaged wires.

Signs of faulty wiring:

• Sensor lights don’t turn on.
• Sensors blink erratically or not at all.

Fix options:

• Check the power supply and make sure the garage door opener is plugged in.
• Inspect for damaged wires or loose connections at the sensor and opener.

If you’re confident with tools, you may be able to replace the wires. Otherwise, it may be time to reach out for professional garage door repair.

Sensor Lights and What They Mean

The sensor lights can often give you important clues.

• Steady green and orange light: Sensors are correctly aligned and working.
• Blinking or off lights: Misalignment, wiring problems, or interference may be at play.
• Only one light is on: The sender might be fine, but the receiving sensor may lack power or be misaligned.

Troubleshooting Steps for a Sensor That Won’t Work

If your garage door sensor is not working, try taking these steps before calling for service:

1. Check the power – Make sure your opener is getting power. Plug the opener back in if it’s unplugged. Also, check your circuit breaker box.
2. Inspect and clean the sensors – Use a soft cloth to remove any dirt, cobwebs, or dust.
3. Ensure nothing is blocking the sensors – Even small items can obstruct the beam.
4. See if the lights are solid – Both sensors should show solid lights when aligned properly.
5. Gently realign the sensors – Tilt them up, down, or angle slightly until lights glow steadily.
6. Look for damaged wiring – Frayed or disconnected wires can cause them to stop working.
7. Try a simple reset – Unplug the garage door opener, wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Power and test it again.

If these troubleshooting steps don’t solve the problem, your sensors may be misaligned or dirty, or the sensors may have simply worn out.

What to Do When Your Automatic Garage Door Won’t Close

Sometimes, you’re in a bind and need to get going. If the door won’t close due to a sensor malfunction:

• Use the manual release lever to open and close the door manually.
• Try closing the door using the wall button while holding it down—some models work this way as a temporary override.
• If the door opens but won’t close, double-check that nothing is causing an obstruction.

These steps can provide a short-term fix, but should not be used as a long-term solution.

When It’s Time to Call in the Pros

If you’ve tried everything and your garage door sensor still won’t work, here’s when it might be time to call Level Up Garage Door:

• Wiring issues you can’t diagnose.
• The lights blink even after alignment.
• You see moisture inside the sensor housing.
• Your chamberlain garage door opener won’t respond at all.
• You’ve already tried to disconnect and reconnect the door from the opener with no luck.

We’ve dealt with every kind of sensor malfunction here in League City. Sometimes sensor lights just won’t cooperate, even when everything seems fine. In that case, a thorough inspection can reveal hidden issues inside the garage door system.

Can You Replace Garage Door Sensors Yourself?

Absolutely—but only if you’re confident working with power tools and wiring. In most cases, installing new sensors isn’t overly complicated. But you must make sure:

• Sensors are aligned properly.
• Wiring is connected to your garage door opener securely.
• Indicator lights are on and stable.

Still unsure? A reliable pro can fix your garage door fast while ensuring your system meets all local safety codes.

Conclusion: Don’t Let Sensor Issues Slow You Down

When your garage door sensor is not working, it’s more than a minor inconvenience. But with a bit of patience, the right tools, and a systematic approach, you can often solve the problem yourself.

Remember:

• Clean the sensor
• Check for obstruction
• Ensure sensors are aligned
• Inspect wiring

Still having trouble or not sure what’s wrong? It might be time to contact League City’s trusted team for professional garage door repair. Whether it’s a malfunctioning opener, damaged wires, or sensors that just won’t stay aligned, we’re here to help when you need it most.

Got a sensor issue we didn’t cover? Share it with us or follow for future tips to keep your automatic garage running smoothly.