Having a garage door provides security for your cars, stored items, and access to your home. Modern homes have remote garage door openers that allow you to simply press a button from your vehicle, and the garage door opens and closes automatically.
While you may not think about how the garage door opener and the sensors work, it helps to understand how the system works so you can troubleshoot any issues if they occur. Sometimes you can fix a faulty garage door sensor yourself, and other times you may need to call our garage experts at Overhead Garage to get your garage door working properly.
How a Garage Door Sensor Works
The sensors in your garage door opener regulate the opening and closing of the garage door. They also sense when there is an object, such as a bicycle, box, or pet, under the door, and help prevent the door from closing on the object. Most garage door sensors are typically placed approximately six inches above the ground, on either side of the garage.
One sensor has a green light, which indicates it is powered right and there are no obstacles to prevent the door from closing or reversing. The other sensor has a steady yellow light that transmits to the green sensor that the path is clear.
An infrared beam extends across the bottom of the door from one sensor to another, creating a type of tripwire effect. If the sensors detect an object in the path of the infrared beam, they stop the garage door from closing on it or reverse the door to the open position. In 1992, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Commission mandated that all garage doors have a feature that automatically stops the garage door from closing when it detects an object. Thus, it’s required for your garage door to have a sensor system.
The main components of a garage door sensor include:
- The safety sensor
- The photo eye system
- Infrared beam
- LED lights
What a Yellow Garage Door Sensor Light Indicates
When the yellow light is on and functioning properly, it indicates there is no object in the infrared beam’s path, and the green light indicates the sensor is receiving information from the yellow sensor. If you notice the yellow light is not on, it may mean something is blocking a clear transmission through the sensor system. Both lights need a steady glow to indicate the door will open and close properly.
Common Causes of Malfunctioning Yellow Sensor Lights
Each garage door manufacturer may use different technology for their garage door sensors, so it’s important to know what brand your garage door is and to read the owner’s manual. If your garage door sensor has a yellow and green light and the door is malfunctioning, it indicates there is an obstruction in the transmission path or the sensor is misaligned. Common problems that cause a lack of communication between the two sensors are:
- One of the sensors is misaligned. If the sensors get bumped by an object, such as a kid’s bike or when moving a big box, they can get misaligned and not be able to send a clear signal to the other sensor.
- Loose mounting brackets. If the sensors are old, the mounting brackets can come loose, which will cause them to misalign and not successfully transmit and read the infrared signal.
- The lens on the sensor is dirty. Having a dirty lens on one of the sensors can disrupt the signal. Dirt, dust, and grime can make the lens dirty.
- Wiring is disconnected. Sometimes, the wiring system can become frayed or loose, disrupting the signal between the two sensors.
- There’s an obstruction. While obvious obstructions like a box or kids’ toy will block the transmission, subtle things like a dust ball, a spider’s web, or a piece of clear plastic stuck in the line of sight of the sensors can make them stop working.
Follow This Guide to Resolve Garage Door Yellow Light Issues
Sometimes, fixing your garage sensors is simple, and you can do it yourself. Follow these steps to see if you can fix a faulty yellow light on your garage sensor.
Check for Obstructions Between the Sensors
Obstructions are one of the main issues for garage door sensors. Check for any objects in the path of the infrared beams. If so, remove them and try the system again.
Look for Faulty Wiring
Wires can come loose or get frayed over time. Sometimes, the wire connections come loose or corrode and need replacing. Bad wires are a fire hazard, so if you see suspicious wiring, call our garage door sensor experts to have us replace or repair the wires.
Make Sure the Sensor Housing Isn’t Misaligned
If something bumps into the sensor housing, like a kid’s bike, a moving box, or a car tire, the sensors can get out of alignment, and the beam won’t go straight to the other sensor reader. Carefully adjust the housing and recheck the system.
These issues that prevent the garage door sensor from working properly are fairly common and easy to fix. However, serious electrical problems, old systems, or exposure to sun, salt, or rain can ruin your garage door opener and sensors. Our team at Overhead Garage Door can repair your garage door sensor system so you can safely and securely open and close your Chicagoland garage door.
Keep Your Garage Door Sensors in Top Condition
Your garage door is an important part of your home’s security. The garage door opener and its sensors work seamlessly to successfully open and close the garage door as needed. Contact Overhead Garage Door in Chicagoland if you are experiencing issues with the lights, especially the yellow light, in your garage door sensors. We will inspect, repair, and replace the system as needed to ensure your garage door opener is functioning.