If your garage door starts to close then reverses, or will not close at all, the most likely cause is the safety sensors near the floor. These photo eye sensors must see each other clearly, and when they are misaligned, dirty or blocked, the opener refuses to close the door.
Check these in order
- Look for a blinking opener light. Blinking usually signals a sensor fault.
- Clear the sensor path. Move bins, tools or anything blocking the beam near the floor.
- Wipe the lenses. Dust, cobwebs or condensation on the small lenses can break the beam.
- Check alignment. If a sensor was bumped, the indicator light on it may be off or flickering. Both must glow steady.
- Watch for sunlight. Direct sun on a photo eye can blind it at certain times of day.
Other causes
If the sensors are fine, the close force or travel limits on the opener may be set wrong, a track may be obstructed, or the opener logic board may be failing. Our sensor repair service and opener repair service cover all of these.
Still stuck in Gresham or Boring? Call (503) 487-8942, open 7 days.
If the door stopped closing right after a storm, see what to do when the opener stops working after a power outage.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my door reverse right after closing starts?
That is almost always a safety sensor that is misaligned, dirty or blocked. Realign and clean both sensors so they glow steady.
What do blinking opener lights mean?
Blinking opener lights usually indicate a sensor fault. The door will not close until the two sensors see each other again.
Can I bypass the sensors?
No. The sensors stop the door from closing on a person or pet. If they are faulty, have them repaired or replaced so they keep doing that job.
Why does my door go back up in cold weather?
Cold stiffens the grease on the rollers and hinges, so the door drags and the opener can read that as an obstruction and reverse. Snow or ice packed near the floor can also block the sensors. Clear the snow, wipe the lenses, and call us if it keeps happening. Never bypass the sensors to get the door closed.