How to Keep Your Garage Door Sensors Working During Snow & Ice

Winter storms can be pretty — but when snow and ice begin to interfere with your garage door sensors, the season’s charm starts to melt away. When sensors are out of whack, your garage door could refuse to shut, reverse on its own, or flash error lights. Fortunately, you can take a few proactive steps to keep your system running even in the worst winter conditions.

At DoorMaster Garage Doors, we’ve been assisting homeowners with winter-related garage door problems since our inception. Here’s what you need to know to ensure your sensors remain dependable as temperatures drop.

Why Snow and Ice Affect Garage Door Sensors

Safety sensors for a garage door use an infrared beam that passes between two units, one on either side of the door. It’s like something stepping through a beam, and if that beam breaks, the door stays open.

But in winter, that beam can be broken or misread because of:

• Snow accumulation on or near the sensors
• Sensor lens with icing
• Moisture affecting wiring or connectors
• Sensors are getting out of line due to frost heaving in cold temperatures
• Salt or dirt kicked up from cars obscures the lenses

The system can stop working properly even with a minor blockage or alignment deviation.

1. Clear Snow Away Regularly

After each time it snows, do:

• Sweep snow from the bottom of the garage door tracks
• Clear slush or ice formed around the sensors
• Get rid of drifts that obscure or reflect the infrared beam

This only takes a few minutes and should eliminate most cold-weather-related sensor problems.

2. Keep the Sensor Lenses Clean

Dirty glasses are the easiest issue to fix when a garage door malfunctions.

Wipe the sensor eyes carefully with a soft cloth. Don’t use harsh chemicals — warm water or mild soap will suffice.
If road salt has splattered on the sensors, cleaning is even more crucial.

3. Check for Ice Formation

The sensors may enable ice to build up directly on the brackets or around them.

If you see any:

• Carefully chisel around the area and the sensor (avoid hitting the sensors).
• Warm — not hot — water to melt stubborn ice
• Afterwards, dry the area to avoid freezing again.

A frozen sensor is a gummed-up sensor, so watch it after freezing rain.

4. Realign Your Sensors if Needed

Cold temperatures can also cause the ground to freeze and shift slightly, throwing sensors out of whack.
Signs of misalignment:

• Blinking sensor lights
• Garage door won’t close
• A door that begins to close, then opens.

To realign:

• Unscrew the wingnut that holds the sensor in place.
• Rotate the sensor until both LEDs indicate a continuous solid state.
• Screw the wing nut back in to secure it.

If the lights remain solid, there is likely something wrong with the brackets or wiring, and you’ll want a professional to take a look.

5. Protect the Sensors from Moisture

Wiring or plugs can become wet, particularly during a continuous freeze-thaw cycle.

To help protect your sensors:

• Ensure that the sensor units are securely fastened
• Inspect for cracked casings
• Attach a bare weather shield over each sensor (most homeowners find small plastic covers at the hardware store or buy sensor shields).

These are things that prevent melting snow from dripping into sensitive machinery.

6. Warm Up the Garage

If your garage generally dips below freezing, the chill might be interfering with wiring and the sensor’s functioning.

Consider:

• Insulating the garage door
• Adding a small space heater or heat lamp (safety-rated, garage-friendly versions)
• Draft sealing around windows or the garage door frame

A warmer interior means fewer temperature-related hassles.

7. Schedule a Winter Garage Door Tune-Up

Sometimes the best answer is to show a professional.

Your winter check-up from DoorMaster Garage Doors might include:

• Sensor testing and alignment
• Lubricating moving parts
• Tightening hardware
• Inspecting your opener
• Checking for weather-related wear

This ensures everything runs smoothly in the run-up to the coldest months.

When to Call DoorMaster Garage Doors

If you’ve taken care of the fundamentals and your sensors still aren’t playing nice, you need to seek expert assistance.

Contact us if:

• The location LED are not lit.
• The sensors constantly get knocked out of balance
• There are wiring or mounting breaks evident
• Your door is still not closing after clearing out and cleaning the sensors

Our technicians will easily detect the problem and have your door operating safely once again.

Final Thoughts

We stress how vital garage door sensors are for safety — but winter can pose challenges to keeping them functioning. With regular maintenance, snow removal, and proactive care, you can keep your garage door operating properly all season long.

When you need the pros to provide garage door maintenance, repairs, or installation for your home, DoorMaster Garage Doors is ready to chime in. Keep your property safe, warm, and functional despite the worst winter weather!