Garage doors don’t stop for anyone on their own. Without working sensors, a closing door can hit a kid, a pet, or anything in its way. In Michigan, where garages are packed and winter makes everything harder to see, those sensors are the only thing standing between a normal day and a trip to the ER. They’re not just a feature. They’re a must.

What Sensors Actually Do

Garage door sensors don’t just sit there. They scan for trouble, nonstop. Two small units, one on each side of the door, fire a beam across the opening. Break that beam, and the door stops quickly. No guessing. No delay. The door reverses before it can crush a tricycle, a pet, or your foot. LED lights on each sensor tell you if they’re lined up and working. Since 1993, every new garage door in Michigan and across the country must have these sensors. That’s not a suggestion. It’s the law.

• Dual sensors, one on each side of the frame
• Infrared beam covers the full width of the door
• Door reverses instantly when the beam breaks
• LEDs show if sensors are aligned or out of sync
• Required on all new garage doors for over 30 years

Sensor alignment drifts over time. A bump from a shovel, a nudge from a car tire, or a child’s foot can knock them out of place. That’s why our garage door repair professionals check sensor alignment every month. It’s a quick job, but it keeps the system ready to protect your family.

Why Sensors Fail

Garage door sensors don’t last forever. Dirt collects on the lens. Brackets loosen. Michigan’s freeze-thaw cycles twist the frame. Road salt and slush splash up, leaving a film that blocks the beam. Sometimes, a basketball or a snow shovel knocks a sensor out of line. When that happens, the door acts up. It won’t close. It reverses for no reason. Or it blinks a warning light and refuses to budge. That’s not just annoying. It’s a sign the safety system is down.

Winter hits hard. Ice forms on the sensor lens. Salt crusts over the bracket. The beam can’t get through. The door won’t close, and you’re left with a garage open to the cold. Regular visits from local garage door professionals keep these problems from piling up. They clean, realign, and test the sensors so you don’t have to worry about a door that won’t protect your home.

Simple Fixes You Can Do

Most sensor problems start small. A little dust, a loose screw, or a misaligned bracket can throw the whole system off. Before calling for help, try these steps:

• Clear away leaves, cobwebs, or debris from the sensor eyes
• Check that both LEDs glow steady. No flicker, no dimming
• Wipe the lenses with a soft, dry cloth. No water, no harsh cleaners
• Make sure the brackets are tight and sensors face each other directly
• Test the system: place a roll of paper towels in the door’s path and close the door. The door should reverse before touching it

When these steps don’t fix the issue, the problem runs deeper. That’s when our professional installation team steps in. They spot wiring faults, sensor failures, and hidden alignment issues that most people miss. They get the system back to full strength quickly.

Why Professional Maintenance Matters

DIY checks help, but they only go so far. Sensors need more than a quick wipe and a glance. Professionals use tools to measure alignment down to the millimeter. They test response times, check wiring, and spot early signs of failure. In Michigan, where weather swings from humid summers to icy winters, sensors take a beating. Our commercial door technicians see it all: bent brackets, corroded wires, sensors knocked loose by snow blowers. They fix problems before the door fails. That’s peace of mind you can’t get from a quick DIY check.

• Precision alignment with specialized tools
• Full system response tests in all weather
• Wiring checks for hidden corrosion or damage
• Replacement of worn or outdated sensors
• Advice on upgrades for older systems

Professional maintenance isn’t just about fixing what’s broken. It’s about keeping the whole system ready for the next close call. That’s what keeps families, pets, and property safe year after year.

When to Call for Help

Some problems don’t show up until it’s too late. The door closes fine one day, then refuses to budge the next. Sensors blink, but the door ignores them. Or the system works in the morning, then fails after a cold snap. When the usual fixes don’t work, don’t wait. A faulty sensor leaves your garage, and everything inside, unprotected. That’s when it’s time to bring in the pros. We know what to look for, and we have the tools to fix it right the first time.

• Repeated false reversals or refusals to close
• LEDs that won’t light up or keep blinking
• Physical damage to the sensor housing or brackets
• Wiring that looks frayed, corroded, or loose
• Older systems that haven’t been checked in years

Don’t let a small sensor issue turn into a big safety risk. Professional help restores full protection and keeps your garage door working the way it should.

Get Expert Garage Door Service Today

Anderson Door Company delivers reliable garage door sensor repairs across Michigan. Call us at 586-791-2369 or contact us to schedule service.