Many homeowners think their garage door opener is broken when the garage door suddenly refuses to close on a bright sunny day. Surprisingly, one of the most common causes is actually direct sunlight interfering with the garage door safety sensors.
At Express Door Repair, we regularly help homeowners across Maple Ridge and the Lower Mainland diagnose garage door sensor issues, opener problems, and garage doors that stop working during certain times of the day.
How Garage Door Safety Sensors Work
Modern garage doors use safety sensors near the bottom of the tracks. These sensors create an invisible beam across the garage opening.
If something blocks the beam while the door is closing, the system automatically reverses the door for safety reasons.
However, these sensors are extremely sensitive. Dirt, misalignment, moisture, and even direct sunlight can interfere with the beam.
Why Sunlight Causes Garage Door Problems
Garage door sensors use infrared light to communicate with each other.
During certain times of the day, direct sunlight can shine directly into one of the sensors and overpower the beam. When this happens, the opener may think something is blocking the door even when the opening is clear.
This can cause the garage door to:
- Reverse before fully closing
- Refuse to close
- Only close when holding the wall button
- Work properly at night but not during the day
Common Signs of Sensor Interference
You may have a sunlight sensor problem if:
- The garage door closes partially then reverses
- The opener lights flash
- The issue happens only during sunny hours
- The wall button works but the remote does not fully close the door
How to Fix the Problem
In many cases, the issue can be improved by:
- Cleaning the sensors
- Re-aligning the sensors
- Tightening loose brackets
- Installing small sun shields above the sensors
If the problem continues, professional garage door diagnostics may be needed to inspect the sensors, opener, tracks, and overall balance of the system.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore the Issue
Some homeowners try to bypass the safety sensors when the problem becomes frustrating. This is dangerous and not recommended.
Garage door sensors are designed to prevent injuries, accidents, and damage to vehicles or property.
A properly functioning garage door system is important for both safety and reliability.
Professional Garage Door Repair in Maple Ridge
- Garage door repair
- Garage door opener repair
- Emergency garage door service
- Garage door spring replacement
- Commercial overhead door repair
- Storefront and automatic door repair
Contact Express Door Repair
📧 Email: expressdoorrepairbc@gmail.com
Serving Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Langley, Surrey, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Vancouver, Richmond, and the entire Lower Mainland BC
24/7 Emergency Garage Door Services Available.
