Important Safety Warning: Read Before Proceeding
Bypassing your garage door’s safety sensors is extremely dangerous and disables a critical safety feature designed to prevent serious injury or death. These instructions are for temporary, emergency situations only (e.g., a malfunctioning sensor preventing you from closing the door). It should never be a permanent solution. The manufacturer and federal law (in the U.S.) require working safety sensors on all garage door openers made after 1993.
The Quick Answer for Emergencies
The most common and intended method for a temporary bypass is to press and hold the wall-mounted garage door button. This overrides the sensor system and forces the door to close. This action requires you to be present and actively holding the button, ensuring the path is clear. Releasing the button before the door is fully closed will cause it to reverse. This is not a permanent fix for faulty sensors, which should be repaired or replaced promptly.
Temporary Solutions & Troubleshooting Steps
Method 1: Press and Hold the Wall Button
This is the manufacturer-intended way to override the sensors in an emergency. It ensures you are watching the door as it closes.
- Ensure the path under the garage door is completely clear of people, pets, and objects.
- Go to the wall-mounted control panel inside your garage.
- Press and hold the ‘close’ button continuously. Do not release it.
- The door will begin to close. Keep holding the button until the door is fully shut.
- If you release the button at any point, the door will stop and reverse.
This method does not work with remote controls, only the hardwired wall button.
Method 2: Check Sensor Alignment
Often, sensors fail because they are misaligned. Each sensor has an LED light. The ‘sending’ sensor usually has a solid light, and the ‘receiving’ sensor’s light indicates if it sees the beam.
- Look at the two sensors on either side of the garage door tracks, about 6 inches off the floor.
- Check the LED lights on both. If the receiving sensor’s light is blinking or off, they are likely misaligned.
- Gently adjust one sensor by hand, moving it slightly until its LED light becomes solid. You may hear a click.
- The wingnut holding the sensor may need to be loosened slightly to allow for adjustment, then retightened.
- Once both lights are solid, try closing the door normally with your remote.
Method 3: Clean the Sensor Lenses
Dirt, dust, cobwebs, or debris can block the sensor’s lens, tricking the system into thinking something is in the door’s path.
- Disconnect power to the garage door opener for safety.
- Wipe the lens of each sensor with a soft, clean cloth.
- For stubborn grime, you can slightly dampen the cloth with water and a mild detergent.
- Ensure the lenses are completely dry before restoring power.
- Check for and remove any cobwebs or obstructions around the sensors.
- Restore power and test the door.
Simple but effective. Make this part of your regular home maintenance routine.
When to Call a Professional
While the above steps can solve common issues, some problems require an expert. Call a certified technician if you encounter:
Damaged Wires
Frayed, cut, or damaged wiring to the sensors is a fire hazard and requires professional repair.
Persistent Issues
If cleaning and alignment don’t work, the sensors themselves may have failed and need replacement.
Physical Damage
If a sensor has been hit or crushed, it’s best to have a professional install and align a new one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to bypass garage door sensors?
In the United States, federal law UL 325 requires that all garage door openers manufactured since 1993 have a safety reversing mechanism, such as photo-eye sensors. While a homeowner might not be fined, professionally disabling or removing them is illegal for a technician and creates significant liability for the homeowner in case of an accident.
How do I know if my garage door sensors are bad?
Common signs include: a blinking LED light on one of the sensors, the garage door reversing immediately after you try to close it, or the door refusing to close at all even when using the wall button (without holding it down). Before assuming they are bad, always check for alignment, obstructions, and clean lenses first.
Can I just remove the sensors completely?
No. You should never permanently remove your garage door sensors. Doing so removes the single most important safety feature of your automatic opener. Most modern openers will not even function if the sensors are disconnected. It’s dangerous, against regulations, and will likely void any warranties.
Always prioritize safety. If you are unsure about any step, please contact a qualified garage door technician.
Dmytro Shevchenko is the owner of Prime Garage Door Repair, a trusted garage door repair company serving the Chicagoland area. Based in Mundelein, IL, he leads a team of certified technicians specializing in emergency repairs, opener and spring replacement, and complete garage door installation.
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