I’ve been a huge fan of LiftMaster Garage Door Openers for years. I like them so much because they work very well and last a long time. So this winter when I started having trouble with my door opener I was a bit puzzled and frustrated. However, as you’ll learn below the solution to this problem was extremely easy to fix and something you should know for the future.
The Problem: The door would always open fine but then would have trouble closing. Sometimes it would close part way before stopping and reversing and other times it wouldn’t open at all. Another clue to the mystery was if you held the wall switch the door would completely close. However, the remote would not be able to close the door even if you held the button.
The Solution: Adjusting the Protector System® sensors fixed my problem and the door now operates correctly.
So at first I didn’t think the Protector System® was to blame. Each time the door was having trouble I’d get out of my truck and check to be sure the path between the sensors was all clear. Each time I’d discover nothing in the way so I figured the sensors were fine.
In order for the safety reversing sensors to work properly they must be aligned correctly. One of the sensors is a sending unit (shoots the light out) and the other is a receiver which ‘catches’ the light beam. The following comes from the User’s manual:
The sending eye amber indicator light will glow regardless of alignment or obstruction. If the green indicator light in the receiving eye is off, dim, or flickering (and the invisible light beam path is not obstructed), alignment is required.
So there you have it. If your garage door opens ok but won’t close then it’s possible the safety reversing sensors are not correctly aligned. Don’t just assume that if the path is clear that the sensors are ok. This problem bugged me for several months. Hopefully after you read this you won’t have the same problem in the future.
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Thanks for posting the alignment tips. You really saved the day.
I bought my house about 6 years ago and the garage opener worked flawlessly until last week, when it stopped closing correctly.
I figured it had to be the sensors but had absolutely no idea how to adjust them (eyeballing was doing nothing).
Cheers,
James
Thank You! Took 2 minutes to fix.
Thanks for the info. I had the same problem. I adjusted the force screws, which did not help. After reading the info you posted, I checked the indicator lights. One of them was disconnected. I reconnected the wire and it did the trick!!
I just did it and it worked - the problem was exactly as described and so was the solution! Thank you very much!
Worked great, but watch for corrosion in the wire to the sensors.
thanks for the info, about an 1/8" off on alignment, wouldn't think that small amount would matter but that was the problem
Hello, I have a problem where the openers will open the door, but neither will close it. The wall unit will close the door.
I have a solid green and a solid amber light on the sensors.
If I manually close the door, and quickly run to the door and obstruct the sensor, the door will immediately go back up. So, it seems to me both sensors are working properly.
If I put my hand between the sensors, the green sensor will go dark. So, again, I think the sensors are ok.
Anything else?
Thanks!
Does it start to close at all?
No, the door does not start to close at all. The remote
will open the door, not close. Sensors are OK, both lights are green and are steady. Model 1200 1/3 HP Lift Master
Seems like maybe the electronics that make sure it won't close on someone are messed up. Have you adjusted the setting on it for how much pressure makes it reverse?
No. What setting would that be?
Please note the door will operate with the wall mounted
button.
Most liftmasters have a dial on the motor housing that adjusts the setting that engages the safety opening. If the wall one is working, I'm stumped...maybe a bad remote?
I ran into problems when I put in an LED bulb into the lift unit. It transmits radio signals that interfered. I could open the door, but not close it, with the remote unit. I took out the bulb, and it worked fine.
This worked for me too. Thanks!
I contacted support and worked with them for a while. It was determined the board was bad. I found someone on ebay selling boards for $33, so I got one and replaced my board. All works now.
This is the link to eBay for that board:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Liftmaster-41D4674-10H-41D4674-20-Receiver-Logic-Board-for-2000SDR-1000SDR/141769199549
The board on that link is now $145
Hi, my problem is exactly as described, except that the amber sending light does not go on at all. So both the green light on the receiving and the amber light on the sending units are not on. You mentioned that the amber light should always be on. Does that mean that there is something else wrong with the sending unit?
Thank you,
Angie F
The door goes down as far as the sensor then goes back up and then the light blinks. Both sensors are solid. Checked to make sure the green is steady and it is. What makes it go as far as the sensor then go back up? Only does it about 50% of the time. The other 50% it works fine.
when the door goes down to the sensors and goes back up. Make sure you didn't do what I did. Left the rope hanging loose and it would get in the path of the beam. Felt real dumb.