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Yellow Light On Garage Door Sensor: What It Means And How To Fix It

Yellow Light On Garage Door Sensor: What It Means And How To Fix It

People who own a garage have garage door sensors installed for safety and peace of mind.

These safety sensors are installed first and foremost to prevent any unexpected accidents caused by automatic door openers.

However, they are useful only if you pay attention to whether they are working properly or not. 

If the yellow light on the garage door blinks, there must be an underlying problem that necessitates several fixes.

Luckily, it is not as complicated as it seems and can be fixed with some basic tools. 

Now let us shed some light on why the yellow light is turned on. 

The yellow light of your garage door sensor is an indication that the safety reverse sensors fitted to your garage door are out of alignment, meaning that you’ll have trouble closing your garage door until it’s repaired.

A simple solution would be to clean the lenses on both sensors and adjust them to line up straight. Read more to learn about what these yellow lights mean.

What Does a Yellow Light on Your Garage Door Sensor Mean?

When you look at the garage door sensors, they are placed a few inches off the ground.

These sensors use a photo eye system. If we look up the definition in simple words, they fire an undetectable infrared beam from one edge of your garage door to the other.

When you use the garage door remote to close it, a cue is sent to the sensors that are installed. The primary function of these devices is to keep any incidents from occurring.

Your garage door will only unlock if the infrared light beam that extends across it stays unabated. These devices, however, occasionally fall short.

The key indicator of whether or not a malfunction is occurring is to examine the yellow light sensor and check the doors to see if they are closing or rapidly opening again.

All this can be followed by a strobing light from your aerial control box.

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How To Fix Your Garage Door Sensor

We’ve gone over exactly what the yellow light malfunction means. Now you’re probably wondering how you’re going to solve the problem.

Continue reading to discover a simple solution for repairing your garage door sensors.

1. Give Your Lenses A Good Cleaning

If you see a yellow light on your garage door sensor, the first thing you should do is thoroughly clean the lenses.

Because the sensors are close to the ground, they are subjected to a variety of sand and dirt. To clean the lenses, wet a paper towel with a little water and wipe them down.

Many natural cleaners are available on the market that will not leave any stubborn particles behind. Remember, do not let the water enter the lenses.

Using the same technique, wipe the other lens as well.

2. Realign The Sensors

Out-of-place garage door sensors are one of the prime reasons why the yellow light is blinking all day.

The solution to this problem is for the sensors to align and face each other at the same angle.

You can correct their orientation by loosening the frame that holds them in place with a screwdriver.

Once they’re loose, you can readjust them to the proper angle and alignment.

If a screwdriver is not available, you can use force to adjust them properly, but be careful not to damage them.

Once the sensors are aligned, you can go ahead and close the door.

If neither of the preceding methods appears to solve the problem, continue reading.

3. Replace The Sensor Wires

When cleaning the lens and reorganizing the lenses does not solve the problem, you should carefully inspect the sensor wiring.

Examine them carefully to ensure they are not damaged. If you are using them for a long period, the wires can be torn and pulled, resulting in a short circuit in your garage door. 

In case you see signs of damage, it is best to seek professional assistance rather than doing it yourself for your own safety.

Professionals are equipped with the necessary tools and are able to quickly identify and resolve problems. As a result, it is best to stay away and avoid attempting to solve the problem on your own.

4. Move Unnecessary Things Out Of The Way

Another possibility for the garage door sensor not working properly is that something is blocking it.

We’ve already discussed how the sensor works by passing an infrared beam through it. This could be the cause of the door not closing completely.

Occasionally, a large object will block the path and can be easily located. Sometimes it’s a less obvious thing you don’t see.

Clear everything in its path and move the items one foot away from the sensors to see if this solves the problem.

5. Call For Support

If trying all of the above solutions does not seem to solve the problem, it is best to seek professional assistance.

You can locate the number on the control box and contact the company for assistance.

Alternatively, you can search Google for the company name and support phone numbers.

The company’s experts will provide you with valuable information or dispatch a team to solve the problem more effectively.

6. Replace Your Worn-Out Sensors

If the yellow light persists after cleaning the lens, relocating the lens, realigning the sensors, and contacting the support team, it’s time to swap out the sensors for new ones.

The sensors can be worn out for various reasons, like you may have been using them for a long time or due to harsh weather conditions. 

To buy new sensors, you can either go online or to the home improvement store to look for new sensors. Make sure that the sizing and everything else fits the old sensors.

There are a lot of ways in which the sensors can be installed.

You can install them with the help of wiring or without it.  Due to the complexity of the procedure, it is advisable that you call for professional help.

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Final Words on Fixing the Yellow Light for the Garage Door

Problems with garage door sensors are common nowadays, and they should be resolved as soon as possible to avoid any unexpected accidents.

You should first identify the problem and then solve it using the solutions listed above.

If the problem persists, it is best to seek professional assistance.

Lindsay Reed

Hi, I'm the founder of ProjectPerfectHome.com! I created this website to be a resource for everyone who wants to make the best home possible.