Can Garage Door Sensors Get Wet? (Solved & Explained!)

Can Garage Door Sensors Get Wet? A sensor getting wet or being around wetness can cause malfunctions and possibly stop your sensor from working. It’s best to keep your sensors away from areas that will expose them to rainy weather or other sources of water like a sprinkler. 

Can Garage Door Sensors Get Wet?

You’ll want to try your sensors if they get wet to prevent any damage and ensure that they still work correctly. Water on your sensors could cause them to malfunction, which would prevent your garage opener from working. 

What do if the sensors get wet

When you notice one of your sensors is wet, the best thing you can do is to leave it. Allow your sensors to dry naturally, possibly opening the door to allow the process to work quicker. 

Why is your sensor failing?

There are a few things to check if your sensors fail before you resign yourself to replacing them. 

Something is obstructing the beam. Sensors use a beam to check if there is anything in the path of the garage door. Something blocking the beam will prevent the door from closing.

No power supply. Your sensor may not be getting any power, usually because it’s time to replace the batteries. Check to see if one of your sensors doesn’t have its LEDs lighting up. 

Dirt on the lenses. Sensors are near the ground and get exposed to dirt and grime frequently. Try cleaning the lenses, so the beam isn’t getting blocked. 

Moisture. Your sensors may get wet from rain or a nearby sprinkler, which will cause them to malfunction. Allow it to dry on its own, and it should work fine.

Misalignment. Both sensors have to align with each other for the sensor beam to work correctly. Try moving the sensor until the LED turns green, marking that it’s now aligned.

How do I protect my sensors from rain and water?

Most garages should have a draining system to direct water away from the door. If not, you can try installing a rubber stop to create a raised lip before your door. You should also have a rubber barrier at the bottom of your door to prevent water from leaking in. 

How do I protect my garage door sensors in general?

For general protection for your garage door sensors, you can get guards that will prevent your sensors from going out of alignment when bumped and can prevent other damage from being hit. You should also keep your sensor out of the sun as much as possible as the sun can cause damage and malfunctions. 

How to know if a sensor is bad

Garage door sensors come with LEDs that will change colour to indicate whether they are working correctly. If you see a yellow or blinking light on your sensors, that means they are misaligned, or something else has gone wrong. No light indicates that the sensor isn’t getting power. 

What does it mean when one garage door sensor is green and one is yellow?

A yellow light on your sensor usually means that it no longer aligns with the second sensor. There are many ways that your sensor might be misaligned, but it’s relatively easy to move your sensor to get it into alignment, and the light should turn green again. 

Does the LED need to be green on both sensors?

If one of your sensors does not show a green light, then your garage door will not open. However, not every sensor has different colour lights, so the light may still be green but blinking to indicate that something is obstructing the sensor or is misaligned. 

How do you reset garage door sensors?

The best way to reset your sensors is to remove the power source from them. However, remember that turning off the sensors may prevent your garage door from working since sensors are a vital safety feature. 

Can I bypass garage door sensors?

If you find that your sensors are aligned, but your garage door isn’t opening, then you can always switch to manual mode on your opener, or you can remove the power from your opener and sensors and open or close your garage door manually.  

How long do sensors last?

How long your sensors last depends on how well you take care of them. Making sure debris is cleaned off them and ensuring that they don’t get damaged from being hit. Generally, your sensor should last about 10 to 15 years if you maintain it correctly. 

How do you fix a garage door sensor?

It takes less than 30 minutes to replace a door sensor, and all you need are some work gloves, wire cutters, and crimp wire nuts. Here are some quick steps to follow.

Step 1 – Remove power from opener

You’ll want to start by unplugging your opener or turning off the circuit breaker that powers your garage.

Step 2 – Remove old sensor

Unscrew the bolt keeping your sensor in its bracket, and remove the old sensor. Then cut the wires about an inch from the safe sensor itself, making sure you have enough slack on the wires to attach the new sensor.

Step 3 – Connect the new sensor

Separate the control wires on the new sensor and connect the black stripped control wire to the black stripped sensor wire with the wire nut. Do the same for the solid white wires, then slide the sensor into the bracket. Then secure it in place with the wing nut. 

Step 4 – Reconnect the power

Plug in your garage door opener or turn the circuit breaker back on. You can then align the sensors with each other and test to see if everything is working correctly. 

How much does it cost to replace garage door sensors?

For the sensor alone, the cost is around $75 to $85. For a professional to install the sensors for you, it will be closer to $170 total.