How to test your garage door's auto-reverse
Updated . By the OakTend team.
An automatic garage door opener has two safety features: the door reverses when it hits something, and a pair of photo eyes near the floor keeps it from closing on whatever is in the way. You test both with a 2x4 and a broom.
Why it matters
The CPSC has documented children trapped and killed under automatic garage doors that did not reverse, and it has required reversing openers on everything made for sale in the U.S. since 1991. That only helps if the reverse still works. In California, openers sold or installed since July 1, 2019 must also have a battery backup so the door still opens in a power outage.
Steps
- Clear the doorway of people, pets, cars and bikes, and keep kids back.
- Check that the photo eyes on each side of the door sit no higher than 6 inches off the floor.
- Open the door fully and lay the 2x4 flat on the floor, centered under the door.
- Press the close button. The door should touch the board, stop and go back up.
- Take the board away. With the door open, hold the broom in the photo eye beam and press close. The door should not close.
- With the door closed, pull the opener's release cord and lift the door by hand. It should move freely and stay put when you let go about 3 to 4 feet up.
- Reconnect the opener to the door with the release and run it once to make sure it reattached.
When to call a pro
If the door does not reverse off the board, or closes with the beam blocked, pull the release and stop using the opener until it is adjusted per the manual, repaired or replaced (the CPSC's rule). If it keeps failing, or the door sticks or will not stay put when you lift it by hand, call a trained door technician.
Safety
Springs and cables are under high tension; leave adjusting them to a qualified technician. Mount the wall button at least 5 feet up, keep remotes away from children, and watch the door until it is fully closed.
General information, not professional advice. Your equipment's manual comes first when it says something different.
Sources
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: nonreversing automatic garage door openers are a hazard
Children have been trapped and killed under garage doors that did not reverse; reversing systems required on openers made for U.S. sale after January 1, 1991; test the reverse with a 2x4 and disconnect the opener until it is adjusted, repaired or replaced if it fails; inspect every 30 days; photo eyes 4 to 6 inches above the floor. - DASMA: automatic garage door opener safety and maintenance guide
Monthly inspection and testing; the 2x4 test and the photo eye test; photo eyes no higher than 6 inches; the hand test with the release (door moves freely and stays partly open 3 to 4 feet up); springs are under high tension and only qualified people should adjust them; wall button at least 5 feet up; keep remotes from children; watch the door until it closes. - Chamberlain Group: how to test the safety reversal system
Test every month and after any adjustment, with a 2x4 laid flat and centered under the door; if it keeps failing, call a trained door systems technician. - California Health and Safety Code section 19892
Residential garage door openers sold or installed in California on or after July 1, 2019 must have a battery backup that works in an electrical outage.