Garage door sensor light is blinking?
A blinking sensor light (and a door that will not close) almost always means the two photo-eye sensors near the floor are misaligned, dirty, or have a loose wire, so they cannot 'see' each other. Realigning them usually fixes it.
A blinking sensor light (and a door that will not close) almost always means the two photo-eye sensors near the floor are misaligned, dirty, or have a loose wire, so they cannot 'see' each other. Realigning them usually fixes it.
Common Causes
- 1 Photo-eye sensors knocked out of alignment
- 2 Dirty or fogged sensor lenses
- 3 Direct sun glare washing out the receiving sensor
- 4 Loose or pinched sensor wire
- 5 A bumped sensor bracket sitting crooked
What to Check First (DIY)
- Wipe both sensor lenses gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Make sure nothing (a trash can, broom, cobweb) is blocking the beam
- Adjust the sensors until both LEDs glow solid (one is usually a steady light, the other turns solid when aligned)
- Check the wires at each sensor for looseness; shield a sun-glared sensor with your hand to test
When to Call a Pro
If both lenses are clean, nothing is blocking the beam, and you still cannot get two solid LEDs, the sensor, bracket, or wiring needs service. See our blink-code guide for brand-specific patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which sensor light should be solid and which blinks?
It varies by brand, but generally one sensor (the sender) stays solid and the other (the receiver) is solid only when aligned. A blinking receiver means the beam is broken or misaligned. Our blink-code guide covers LiftMaster, Chamberlain, and Genie specifically.
Why won't my door close, it just blinks and reverses?
The opener will not close if the safety sensors think something is in the path. Clean and realign them until both LEDs are solid, that resolves the large majority of these cases.
Can sunlight really stop my door from closing?
Yes, low, direct sun hitting the receiving sensor can wash out the beam. A small sensor visor or slight repositioning fixes it.
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