Shedding Light on a Persistent Issue: Garage Door Light Won’t Turn Off Solutions

Indoor Lights

You can choose indoor garage door lights to illuminate the garage door when it’s in use. The most common type of indoor garage door lighting is a wireless LED lighting system. These lights should only turn on when activated.

Indoor garage door lights are a good option if you park your vehicle in there. They provide enough lighting to help you see when you open the garage door. However, they typically aren’t used to provide lighting for the entire garage.

LED lighting systems are a more affordable choice compared to other types of garage lights. The average cost of LED lighting is $20 to $40 per fixture. Another reason why these are a budget-friendly choice is that they are energy efficient and last longer.

Unlike outdoor lights, you won’t get to choose from a variety of different styles. LED lights are very simple. Most of them come attached to the garage door opener. However, you can also get bar or strip lights.

Now that you know more about indoor garage door lights, you may be wondering about the pros and cons. Let’s take a look.

Common Reasons Your Garage Door Lights Won’t Turn Off

There are several reasons why a garage door light won’t turn off. In order to find the right fix to this issue, you need to determine why the light is staying on. Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons this happens.

Motion Sensors Are Active

Does your garage door light have a motion sensor? If something is triggering the motion sensor, the light will stay on. This is the most common reason why a garage light stays on.

A lot of people don’t realize this is the reason. However, if that light sees a lot of traffic, it’s likely to be on more than you expected. It can also be triggered by animals that have been around your property, like neighborhood cats, squirrels, or raccoons.

Motion lights can also malfunction. This causes them to stay on even when there’s no movement around the property.

The Switch Doesn’t Work

A faulty switch won’t be able to send a signal to the light to turn off. The light will remain on because it’s connected to a live wire. This is most likely caused by a power surge or a broken mechanism in the switch.

So, how do you tell if the switch is the problem? Listen to the switch when you flick it. The switch needs to be replaced if it makes a crackling or a buzzing sound. Some other signs that the switch doesn’t work are if it feels warm or if it sparks when you use it.

The Remote Doesn’t Work

Do you use a remote to control the garage door light? If the remote isn’t working, it won’t be able to turn off the light. In this situation, the problem isn’t the light and you should be able to turn it off manually.

Change the batteries in the remote control to see if this solves the problem. If the remote doesn’t work with new batteries, it may be damaged.

Wires Are Loose

Wiring issues can cause problems with light fixtures. Most lights have 3 wires connecting them to the switch. If one of these wires became loose while the light was on, you won’t be able to turn it off.

Believe it or not, one of the most common reasons homeowners have issues with lighting is due to poor wiring. This is why you should only allow someone with experience to work on your home’s wiring.

Your Settings Are Wrong

The setting allows you to control how long the garage light stays on after it has been activated. If you have the wrong settings on, the garage light may stay on longer than you expected. This can easily be fixed by resetting the garage light timer.

Are you unsure if this is the problem or not? We suggest putting the lights on the lowest time setting. If this solves the problem, you can reset it again to get your preferred timing.

Something Activated The Light Feature

Have you just noticed that the light is on even though you weren’t outside to activate it? The light is most likely on because something activated the motion sensor. There is a light feature in most garage door lights that will make them turn on when something approaches the garage.

This feature is great because if a burglar is approaching the property, the light will shine on them. A lot of homeowners feel safer because of this feature. Keep in mind that it can also be triggered on by a small animal that you may not be able to see.

If the light feature is activated by wildlife frequently, you may want to turn it off at night. You can use the remote or the control panel to deactivate the light feature.

Broken Logic Board

Your light may be stuck on because the garage door’s logic board has malfunctioned. So, how can you tell if this is the problem? You may notice other issues with how your garage door opens. This may also be the issue if the remote isn’t working.

Homeowners have experienced this issue after there was a storm in their area that took out the power. This is because the power outage could have tripped the circuit and caused damage to the logic board.

Possible Fixes For A Garage Door Light That Won’t Turn Off

Have you figured out why your garage door light won’t turn off? Now, it’s time to fix the issue. Below are some of the most common ways to fix a garage door light that won’t turn off.

Replace The Motion Sensor

If your motion light has a bad sensor, it will need to be replaced. Check the warranty to see if you’re eligible for a replacement. Once you have the replacement motion sensor, this is what you need to do.

1. Turn the power off to the light fixture.
2. Remove the light bulbs. This step is optional, but it’s a good idea just in case you drop the light fixture.
3. Use a flathead screwdriver to remove the trim cap from the mounting base.
4. Unscrew the center screw and unhook the wires carefully to take off the light fixture.
5. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install the new motion sensor.
6. If you’re replacing the base for the light fixture, you can remove the fixtures from the old base and attach them to the new one before reinstalling them.

Replace The Logic Board

If the garage door logic board is damaged, it will need to be replaced. Make sure you wear safety gloves for protection if you replace the logic board. Here is what you need to do.

1. Unplug the garage door opener. If it has batteries, make sure you remove them as well.
2. Remove the lightbulb and set it aside.
3. Locate the wire terminal on the opener. Press the release buttons beneath each wire with a flathead screwdriver to disconnect them.
4. Unscrew the end panel of the garage door opener.
5. Take the wires off of the logic board.
6. Remove the logic board from the panel by unscrewing it. You will also need to remove the board from the clips.
7. Carefully place the new logic board in the panel. Attach it to the clips and screw it in place.
8. Reattach the wires to the new board.
9. Put the end panel back in place.
10. Place the new label on top of the old one. This is important to maintain your warranty.
11. Reconnect the safety sensor wires and door control.
12. Put the lightbulb back in place.
13. Reconnect the battery.
14. Plug the garage opener back in.

Reset The Light Feature

To get your light to turn off again, you may need to reset the light feature. You can reset the light feature from the control panel.

If you use a smart control panel, simply open up the menu. Choose the light settings option to proceed. Select the automatic light setting to turn them off. The light will be disabled. You can use this panel to turn the feature back on.

Replace The Switch

Is the problem a broken switch? You will need to replace the switch to fix the problem. Only attempt to change the switch if you’re comfortable with electrical work.

If you want to change your light switch, this is what you need to do.

1. Turn off the power to the light switch.
2. Unscrew the old switch plate to remove it.
3. Use a circuit tester to ensure that there is no power running to the switch.
4. Pull the switch out of the wall so you can see the wires. There will be 3 wires. Make note of which wire is attached to which color of screw.
5. Carefully remove the wires from the old switch so you don’t cause any damage to them.
6. Reattach the wires to the new switch.
7. Place the switch in the wall and screw it back in place.
8. Turn the power back on.

Check The Wire Compatability

When wires aren’t connected properly, you may have issues with the lights. There are specific terminals that each wire needs to be connected to for the garage door opener and the light to work properly. If they aren’t set up correctly, this could be the source of your issue.

Always double-check the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure everything is lined up properly. This will ensure that the wires are connected to compatible terminals.

Understand Your Settings

The settings are different with every type of garage door opener. If you’ve spent years using one brand and have recently switched to another, you might be surprised by the changes. Make sure you fully review the instructions manual to understand how the settings work.

Conclusion

Is your garage door light stuck on? You should check the light feature when this occurs. Something may have activated it or you could have the wrong setting on. However, a wiring issue or a damaged switch may also be the reason the garage door light won’t turn off.