Garage Door Safety Sensors Troubleshooting - Complete 3 Step Guide

A very common issue with a garage door that won't close is a problem with the garage door safety sensors. This is indicated by the garage door not going down when the remote or wall controller is pressed and the garage door opener light flashing 10 times. Don't worry this is not a huge deal and following the below 3 steps I am confident we can find your issue and get it fixed.

Troubleshooting Steps
Step 1) Adjustment, Cleaning, and Checking for Signal
Step 2) Checking the Wiring
Step 3) Checking if the Sensors are Bad

Tools Every Weekend Warrior Needs

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.

[EverydayHomeRepairs]

Tools Every Weekend Warrior Needs

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.

[cherrylkaddumi]

I just wanted to THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO!! I am 64 and live in an apartment complex and the unattached garage I rent stopped working one way (down). Its way after hours and I called maintenance twice to no avail. So I Googled and found your video and FIXED IT !! I just had to thank

[charlottewilkins]

Thank you it was #1! The orange light was on, but the green wasn't. It evidently got bumped and took some playing with that sensor to get it re-aligned but when that green light popped on I was saying thank you for that step by step video. I'm 78 and didn't need another bill.

[MinnieMouseRice]

Thank you! It was step #2 for me. My husband was ready to call a garage door person because he doesn’t have time to do it himself. I’m so happy that I could save us some money and him the stress.

[denebwafu]

As a first time and new home owner, the first step actually saved me a ton of headache. My wife accidentally bumped the sensor when moving stuff in the garage. Thanks for this!

[joew.]

I have owned 2 homes over the last 26 years with one garage facing south and one facing west. For both homes, sunlight was my "enemy" but only during certain times of the day and year. It didn't take long to figure out the issue! I stand in front of the door to create a shadow across the sensor and the garage door closes. I didn't realize that there are sensor shades available to do this for me! Another great idea by one of your followers.

[MaggiesMakeover]

Can’t tell you how many hours I spent trying to align the sensors when the problem was a faulty electrical connection at the sensor. The installer didn’t twist the wires before putting the wire nut on. I twisted them and the door is working great. A big thank you for your video that did a great job of explaining the problem areas, how to troubleshoot and how to fix.

[joecarpino]

Excellent video. I wiggled the wire and the light blinked so I knew a had a wire problem, just like you said. Took the wire nut off, twisted, put it back on, and it works! Amazing!

[maltesegirl]

I looked at it and it was helpful. I live alone and didn't know about the sensors . Thank you

[greggatto]

love this loser wanted to charge me $850 to fix my garage this video did it in 10 minutes!!! Thank you.

[denisef]

Hi. Phenomenal videos. All of them! I’ve Been watching for a few days now. I’m going to tackle this tomorrow. For the first time I understand what I’ll be doing. Seems so simple, even the wiring. My husband (fixed anything) passed and I’m having all sorts of breakdowns in the house. So far I have been able to use your videos and not call in the big $$ guys. Thank you. I appreciate all this.

[stank]

Lenny - As a first time owner of a garage, I panicked when the door would not close using the key pad. I found your video which described the issue perfectly. Added bonus the easy fix worked! Thank you very much for saving me a lot of grief.

[deboraheastin]

3 minutes into your video and I knew the problem - now my garage door sensor is back in alignment and works perfectly! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

[phildavidson]

This was excellently produced -- clear, steady, detailed presentation; clear audio and video, with a good view of the essential parts; no extra fluff in the narrative.

[Coryhyman]

You just scored me some brownie points with the wifey. Thanks for the clear and concise troubleshooting.

[mdesai]

Excellent suggestions of step 1-2-3. Your comment on wiping the sensor lens and wiggling the wires at both ends fixed the issue for me! As well as your other video on updating the code. Thanks for saving me some $$.

[limeygal]

Thanks for helping me. As a single woman I hate to call someone because it's expensive. After watching this followed your directions and it started working. Just had to align the sensors don't know why because the power had gone off and didn't work when it came back on but you where a big help.

[shmuelman]

Great video - methodical and clear. You saved me the money and embarrassment of calling a garage door company for a one minute fix.

[joemiller]

Mine was actually the connection of the wires down at the sensors. I had to unscrew the wire connection caps, clean the wires, then reconnect. This video did help a lot by giving information on how the safety sensors work when the leds should be on or off.

[rebeccabraley]

Omg. I just wowed my husband magically fixing our garage door. Thank you! You are a life saver