Garage Door Sensor Repair & Replacement Calgary
Door reversing by itself, blinking, or only closing while you hold the button? Almost always a sensor problem. From $120–$180 + GST.
Garage Door Safety Sensors — How They Work and Why They Fail
Every modern garage door opener has two safety sensors (photo-eyes) mounted near the bottom of the door tracks, one on each side. They emit an invisible infrared beam across the door opening. If anything interrupts the beam while the door is closing, the door reverses automatically. This is a required safety feature to prevent the door from closing on a person, child, pet or vehicle.
When sensors fail, the door may refuse to close, reverse immediately after starting to close, or require holding the wall button continuously. Calgary’s temperature swings and UV exposure can accelerate sensor degradation, and simple misalignment from a bump or vibration is also common.
Common Sensor Problems We Fix
- Sensors out of alignment — adjustment restores function without replacement
- Lens dirty or frosted over — cleaning fix
- Wiring damaged at bracket — rewire repair
- Sensor LED not lit or wrong colour — indicates failure
- Sun interference at certain times of day — shield installation
- Sensors physically damaged — full replacement
Signs Your Sensors Need Attention
- Door closes only while you hold the wall button continuously
- Door reverses immediately after starting to close
- Opener light blinks when door tries to close
- One sensor LED is off, dim or wrong colour
- Door closes fine at night but reverses in afternoon sun
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my garage door only close when I hold the button?
This almost always means the safety sensors are misaligned or malfunctioning. Holding the wall button bypasses the sensors. The fix is usually sensor realignment ($120) rather than full replacement.
Why does my garage door reverse when nothing is in the way?
Most common causes: sensor misalignment, dirty lens, sun interference, damaged wiring, or a sensor that has failed. Super G&R diagnoses the actual cause — we don't replace sensors unnecessarily if realignment or cleaning solves the problem.
How long does sensor repair take?
Sensor alignment or cleaning takes 15–30 minutes. Sensor replacement takes 30–60 minutes including wiring and programming tests. Most sensor issues are resolved in a single same-day visit.
Do you fix sensor sun interference?
Yes. In Calgary, afternoon sun at certain angles can overwhelm garage door sensors and cause false reversals. This is most common in September and October. We install sensor shields that block direct sunlight while allowing the safety beam to function normally.
Need Garage Door Help? Call Super G&R Garage Door Repairs Today!
Same-day service across Calgary & area — free estimate, upfront pricing, no hidden fees.