It’s a frustratingly common scenario for homeowners in the Denver area: you press the button to close your garage door, it starts to go down, and then, for no apparent reason, it reverses and opens back up. Before you start worrying about a costly repair, we want to let you in on a little secret. As a family-owned business with over 40 years of experience, we can tell you that this is the single most common service call we get. And the good news? About 90% of the time, it’s an issue you can solve yourself in about 60 seconds.
Your garage door is doing this to protect you. The problem almost always lies with a small but vital component of your garage door system: the safety sensors.
The #1 Thing to Check: Your Safety Sensors
At the bottom of your garage door tracks, on either side, you’ll find two small electronic “eyes.” These are your safety sensors. One sends an invisible infrared beam to the other, creating a protective line across the opening of your garage. If anything breaks that beam while the door is closing, the system immediately switches to reverse to prevent the door from closing on a person, a pet, or an object. It’s a critical safety feature that keeps your family safe.
However, these sensors are sensitive. If they get dirty or knocked out of alignment, they can’t “see” each other, and the garage door opener assumes something is blocking the path. It then does its job, causing the door to reverse to prevent an accident, even when there’s nothing there.
The 60-Second Fix: A Simple Cleaning and Alignment Check
Before you do anything else, follow these two simple steps. This quick check can save you the time and expense of a service call.
Step 1: Gently Clean the Sensor Lenses (20 Seconds)
The lenses on your safety sensors can get covered in dust, dirt, or even cobwebs, which is enough to block the infrared beam.
Take a clean, soft cloth and gently wipe the lens of each sensor. There’s no need for harsh chemicals; a simple dry wipe is usually all it takes to remove the obstruction.
Step 2: Check the Alignment (40 Seconds)
It’s very easy for the sensors to get bumped out of alignment by a stray basketball, a rake, or even just vibrations from the door operating over time.
Look closely at each sensor. You should see a small LED light on both. One light is typically green (the receiving sensor) and the other is often amber or red (the sending sensor). If the sensors are aligned correctly, both LED lights will be solid and steady (not flickering or blinking).
If one of the lights is off or flickering, it means it’s in misalignment. Gently pivot the misaligned sensor with your fingers until its LED light becomes solid. You may hear a faint “click” as the sensors reconnect. Ensure both sensors are pointing directly at each other and are at the same height from the ground.
Once both lights are solid, try closing your garage door again. In most cases, your problem will be solved!
When the 60-Second Fix Doesn’t Work
If you’ve cleaned and aligned your sensors and the door still won’t close, it could be a sign of a different issue, such as damaged wiring or a malfunction problem with the opener itself. Your family’s safety is our top priority, and working with garage door systems can be dangerous if you’re not a trained professional.
If the problem persists, don’t hesitate to call in the experts. At Metro Denver Garage Door, we’re not just a service provider; we’re your neighbors. As a family-owned business founded by a retired police officer, we give your family the same care and attention we give to ours. We’ll diagnose the problem with fair and honest pricing and get your door working safely and reliably again.
Contact us today, and let our family help yours.
Call For Service: (303) 988-4801
Serving Highland Ranch, Littleton, Centennial, Englewood and surrounding Denver metro areas
