How Does Sunlight Effect Garage Door Sensors?

Strong and direct sunlight on your property can be very beneficial for both your home and garage door. Direct sunlight can help create warmer indoor environments inside your garage and also keep your garage dry, reducing moisture-related issues like mold and mildew. Although sunlight is known for its benefits for the garage door, its bright beams can cause some issues.

Imagine coming home after a long day. After you park your door, you try to shut it, and halfway through, the garage door stops and goes back up. You immediately check if something is blocking the sensors and if all the wires are connected, but that does not help. The issue continues.

Now, you have no clue what could have caused your garage door to not close. Here is the reason: The sun has affected your garage door sensors. But how is that possible? Let us explain.

Reason 1 – Infrared Light Interference

Garage door sensors operate using infrared light, but the sun also emits infrared rays, which are much stronger than those from the sensors. When direct sunlight hits the sensor, it can interfere with the infrared beam, preventing the sensors from properly communicating with each other.

As a result, your garage door may stop closing if bright sunlight is shining directly on one of the sensor’s eyes. Therefore, Even when the sensors are clean and no other hazards are present, your garage door can malfunction due to direct sunlight.

Reason 2 – Damaged Sensors Due to The Heat

If your garage door is facing the sun and receives direct sunlight throughout the day, the sensor will get heated and damaged and stop receiving signals. This happens because garage door sensors have convex lenses that concentrate sunlight onto the electronic components within the sensor.

Often, property owners may only notice sensor issues or damage once the sensor fails entirely. To avoid sun-related wear and tear, schedule regular garage door inspections by a professional garage door company, Sacramento, CA. This way, you will not have to replace your sensors completely and spend a lot on them.

How To Protect Your Garage Door Sensor From Sunlight Interference?

By now, you know that sunlight can be a real problem for garage door sensors. But you can’t just change the location of your home. Plus, sunlight has many additional benefits for your home and garage. So what can you do about it? Let’s take a look.

For immediate problem solving –

Cover one of the sensors with your hand or a piece of paper. If the other sensor isn’t exposed to direct sunlight, this method may improve the signal, allowing the garage door to operate as usual.
Give it a few minutes. Sometimes, the sun needs to be at just the right angle to disrupt the sensors. Waiting a bit can allow the sun to move to a different spot in the sky, which might solve the issue.

Permanent Problem Solving –

Reposition the sensors. Shifting the sensors deeper into the garage, away from direct sunlight, can be an effective fix. Another option is to switch the sides of the sensors. Swapping their positions could resolve the issue since one sends a signal and the other receives it.
Create a DIY shade box for your garage door sensor. Garage door sensors rely on clear communication between them to function correctly. A simple fix would be to create a custom shade box using cardboard or lightweight wood, which will not interrupt the garage door’s normal functioning but also protect the sensors from direct sulight.
Sun shades and shields for garage door sensors are available in a range of colors and styles to match any garage. You can easily find them through online stores.These budget-friendly shades are easy to install and help extend the life and efficiency of your sensors.

If your garage door sensor is still not working, it is time for professional garage door repair Sacramento, CA, for your sensors. Experts like Eudy Door in Sacramento have years of experience fixing garage door sensors and other parts. They can quickly fix and return your garage door to its functional and high-efficiency state.

Struggling with Sunlight Affecting Your Garage Door Sensors? Call Eudy Door for Quick Garage Door Repair Sacramento, CA!

It can be frustrating when sunlight interferes with your garage door sensors. Whether it’s infrared light disruption or heat damage to the sensors, our team of experts is ready to resolve these issues quickly and effectively. With over 40 years of experience in the Sacramento area, we are pros in garage door repairs, installations, and regular maintenance to keep your garage door running smoothly, no matter the problem.

If sunlight or any other issue is causing your garage door to malfunction, don’t wait! Contact Eudy Door today for quick emergency services to get your garage door back in perfect working order.