Are you struggling with a garage door that refuses to close because of faulty sensors? Many Illinois homeowners face this issue, especially with older or misaligned systems. While it may be tempting to disable the safety sensors, permanent removal is illegal and unsafe under federal law (UL 325). This guide explains safe, temporary methods to force your garage door to close without sensors in an emergency, and when to call a professional.
Safe Emergency Method to Force Garage Door to Close
The only safe, manufacturer-approved way to bypass the sensors temporarily is to use the wall-mounted control button:
- Make sure the garage door’s path is completely clear.
- Press and hold the wall-mounted “close” button until the door is fully shut.
- If you release too early, the door will reverse back up.
- This works only with the wired wall button, not with remote controls.
Troubleshooting Garage Door Sensors Before Forcing Closure
Before resorting to forcing the garage door to close, check these quick fixes:
- Sensor alignment: Both sensors should face each other, with steady LED lights.
- Dirty lenses: Dust, cobwebs, or debris can block the beam—wipe gently with a cloth.
- Wiring issues: Loose or damaged wires may cause malfunction and often need professional repair.
When to Call an Illinois Garage Door Technician
If cleaning and aligning sensors does not fix the problem, or if the sensors are physically damaged, contact a certified garage door repair service in Illinois. With Illinois’ seasonal climate changes (humidity, freezing winters, and hot summers), garage sensors can easily fall out of alignment or suffer wiring issues.
FAQ: Forcing Garage Door to Close Without Sensors
Is it legal to remove garage door sensors? No. Federal law requires all automatic garage door openers made after 1993 to have working safety sensors. Removing them is unsafe, voids warranties, and increases liability. Can I temporarily force the door shut? Yes, but only by holding the wall-mounted button while watching the path to ensure it is clear. Why won’t my garage door close with sensors? Most often, the issue is misalignment, dirty lenses, or wiring damage. Try troubleshooting before forcing the door closed.
Final Safety Note
Forcing a garage door to close without sensors should only be done in emergencies. To keep your home safe and compliant, schedule a sensor repair or replacement with a local Illinois garage door professional as soon as possible.
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.
estimate