How your garage door photo eye system works to keep your family safe is simple. The system has two “eyes” or sensors about six inches off the ground within the tracks of the garage door. When something or someone breaks the beam running from eye to eye, the door stops and backs up slightly.

This action prevents the door from closing on vehicles, kids, pets and even unsuspecting adults, preventing injuries and damage to those who may be busy digging for their keys or on their phone.

Troubleshooting a Garage Door Photo Eye System

The most frequent problem with the garage door photo eye system is something obstructing or blocking one of the sensors. Check both sensors to ensure the light is working, and the path is unobstructed. Often, a leaf or some other debris will get into the track and block the view of the sensor. You can use a soft damp cloth or lens cleaner to wipe the sensor clean.

Additionally, someone might have bumped the track, or the sensors may not line up. You can check the alignment with a tape measure to make sure they are the same height and width, so they “see” each other.

If one of the lights is not working, you can try to adjust it manually. These sensors are sensitive, so don’t try to force it. If it doesn’t turn or move easily, call a professional for further troubleshooting and repair.