What a Yellow Garage Door Sensor Means & How to Fix the Problem

PDF download Download Article
Easy DIY solutions to keep your garage door working safely & correctly
PDF download Download Article

All garage doors come with a set of sensors to ensure they open and close safely. When the sensors’ lights are green, everything is functioning properly, but when they turn yellow, the sensors aren’t communicating correctly. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about yellow garage door sensor lights, including what they mean and how to fix them. Plus, learn what garage door sensors do, what other color lights mean, and when to call a professional to fix the issue.

Troubleshooting a Yellow Garage Door Sensor Light

When a garage door sensor light is yellow, it typically means the sensors aren’t communicating properly because they’re dirty, misaligned, or blocked by an obstacle. Clean the lens with a soft cloth, clear the area between the sensors, and move the sensors so they’re directly facing each other to troubleshoot.

Section 1 of 5:

What does a yellow garage door sensor light means?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Garage doors have sensors located on both sides of the door to make sure the door can close safely. On most models, the sensor light is green when everything is functioning properly, but turns yellow if the sensors aren’t communicating. The most common reasons a sensor light might be yellow are: [1]
    • The lens is dirty and the debris is preventing the sensors from communicating.
    • The sensors aren’t facing each other directly and have become misaligned.
    • An object is in between the sensors and blocking them from communicating.
    • The sensor’s wires are frayed or it isn’t receiving power.
    • Check your owner’s manual to determine what a yellow light means for your make and model. It may differ depending on if you have a Liftmaster , Chamberlain , Craftsman, or other brand of garage door.
    • In most cases, if one sensor light is green and the other is yellow, the issue is only with the sensor that’s yellow.
  2. While a yellow light usually indicates that something is wrong with the sensor, some garage door models intentionally have both a green and a yellow light. When both of these lights are on, everything is functioning as it should (the yellow light typically sends a signal that the green light receives). Consult your owner’s manual to see what the light colors mean for your specific make and model. [2]
    3. Advertisement
Section 2 of 5:

How to Fix a Yellow Garage Door Sensor Light

PDF download Download Article
  1. Because the sensors are located so close to the ground, it’s easy for them to collect dirt and debris, which can prevent the sensors from connecting with each other. Examine your sensors to see if they have any visible debris, then use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe the lenses clean. [3]
    • On most makes and models, the yellow light will turn green when the issue is fixed. If it remains yellow, continue troubleshooting to find the problem.
  2. Garage door sensors send an infrared beam across the door to each other, ensuring that nothing is blocking the door. If you store things in your garage, make sure nothing is blocking this beam. Move things like bikes, sports equipment, and other belongings a few feet away from the sensors to see if this fixes the problem. [4]
    • Sensors can be blocked by small items that don’t appear to be in the way, as well, which is why it’s best to keep everything at least a few feet away.
  3. Garage door sensors need to face each other directly in order to send out the infrared beam. If a sensor gets bumped, it could become misaligned and need to be readjusted. [5] Turn off the power to the sensors (or garage, in general) and loosen the sensors’ screws. Then, tie a piece of string around the mounting bracket and stretch it across to the opposite side of the garage to properly align the sensors. When the sensors are aligned properly, tighten the screws and turn the power back on to see if your problem is fixed.
  4. If nothing else seems to work, it’s possible the sensor’s wires are damaged. Turn off the power to the garage, then closely examine the wires for any damage and make sure they’re connected properly. If you notice any issues, contact a garage door repair specialist, as attempting to fix the problem yourself could be dangerous. [6]
    • It’s possible the sensors will need to be replaced entirely. If so, the repair specialist should be able to do this, as well.
    5. Advertisement
Section 3 of 5:

What does a garage door sensor do?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Garage doors have sensors located on both sides of the door, just a few inches above the ground. These sensors shoot an infrared beam from one side to the other to make sure nothing is blocking the door. If something is blocking the door, the beam will be disrupted and the door won’t close. This ensures the garage door won’t accidentally close on someone or something. [7]
    EXPERT TIP

    Ryaan Tuttle

    Home Improvement Specialist
    Ryaan Tuttle is a Home Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman, Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts. With over 17 years of experience, he specializes in building home service businesses, focusing on creating scalable and efficient brands. With the help of his global team, the companies have achieved over 10+ million in sales and received recognition through magazine features, and enjoy partnerships with wikiHow and Jobber field service software. Boston Magazine and LocalBest.com have named Best Handyman Boston the Best Handyman in Boston. Ryaan holds Construction Supervisor and Home Improvement Contractor Licenses.
    Ryaan Tuttle
    Home Improvement Specialist

    If your sensors aren’t working, open the garage door manually. All garage doors have a release on them that you can pull to undo the release. Then, you can manually pull the handle up and open the garage door from there.

Section 4 of 5:

Garage Door Sensor Light Color Guide

PDF download Download Article
  1. Most garage door sensors have a green light to show that the sensor is powered on, correctly aligned, and functioning properly. Unless your sensor’s manual says otherwise, there is usually nothing you need to do if the green light is on. [8]
  2. In most cases, a red light means your attention is needed immediately. A red light can indicate several different issues, similar to a yellow light; the sensors may be misaligned, something could be blocking them, or the sensor could have failed altogether. Take the following steps to begin troubleshooting: [9]
    • Do not attempt to close the door manually or forcefully, as this could be dangerous.
    • Look for any obstacles or blockages that could be interrupting the sensor’s beam.
    • Gently clean the sensor’s lens with a soft, clean cloth to remove any dirt or debris.
    • Make sure the sensors are directly facing each other in perfect alignment.
    • Check your manual for specific instructions for your make and model.
  3. In most cases, orange, yellow, and amber sensor lights are used interchangeably, though the meaning may vary depending on the make and model. Check your manual to determine what steps to take, though in general, try the following to troubleshoot: [10]
    • Clean the sensor lens with a soft, clean cloth to remove dirt and debris.
    • Remove any obstructions that may be blocking the sensor’s beam.
    • Ensure the sensors are in perfect alignment and facing each other directly.
  4. Again, the exact meaning depends on your make and model, so note which color the light is flashing and check your manual for instructions. In general, flashing lights often indicate connection issues, dirty sensors, interference, or faulty sensors. [11]
    5. Advertisement
Section 5 of 5:

When to Call a Professional

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you’ve already tried everything to fix your garage door sensor and nothing seems to be working, it may be time to call a garage door repair specialist. They can assess the problem and determine if you need to replace the sensor altogether. It’s also a good idea to call a pro if the sensor’s wires are frayed or otherwise damaged, as this can be dangerous to attempt to fix yourself. [12]

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Garage door sensor lights may have slightly different meanings depending on the manufacturer, like Liftmaster or Chamberlain. Be sure to check your owner’s manual for precise instructions.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Never attempt to work with electricity or wiring without first disconnecting the power.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Lubricate a Garage Door
      How to
      Reprogram Your LiftMaster Garage Door Opener Motor
      How to
      Adjust a Garage Door Spring
      How to
      Reset Your Garage Door Keypad Without the Previous Code
      How to
      Open a Garage Door without Power
      How to
      Align Garage Door Sensors
      8 Effective Ways to Extend the Range of a Garage Door
      How to
      Program a Garage Door Opener
      How to
      Disable a Garage Door Sensor
      How to
      Install a Garage Door Opener
      How to
      Replace the Rollers on a Garage Door
      5 Ways to Weather-Seal a Garage Door
      How to
      Install an Overhead Garage Door
      How to
      Replace a Garage Door
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://todayshomeowner.com/garage/guides/garage-door-sensor/
      2. ↑ https://www.h2ouse.org/garage-door-sensor-yellow-light/
      3. ↑ https://jmacfiles.s3.amazonaws.com/WS105.pdf
      4. ↑ https://www.xtremeopeners.com/manuals/425-1669n/Xtreme4251669New.pdf
      5. ↑ https://todayshomeowner.com/garage/guides/garage-door-sensor/
      6. ↑ https://homeydesign365.com/why-is-my-garage-door-sensor-yellow/
      7. ↑ https://todayshomeowner.com/garage/guides/garage-door-sensor/
      8. ↑ https://homeydesign365.com/why-is-my-garage-door-sensor-yellow/
      9. ↑ https://verywellhomes.com/troubleshooting-garage-door-sensor-blinking-red/
      1. ↑ https://todayshomeowner.com/garage/guides/garage-door-sensor/
      2. ↑ https://support.chamberlaingroup.com/s/article/How-To-Troubleshoot-The-Safety-Reversing-Sensors-When-One-LED-Is-Off-Or-Flickering
      3. ↑ https://todayshomeowner.com/garage/guides/garage-door-sensor/

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 138 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement