Motion sensors are a staple in many homes, used to turn on lights when someone enters the room or deter burglars.
However, sometimes they can be pretty finicky and cause more problems than they solve.
If your motion sensor light stays on all the time or turns on by itself, don’t worry – we’re here to help!
In this blog post, we will discuss common problems with motion sensors and how to fix them.
First – is it made to work where you’ve put it?
If you are having issues with your motion sensor outside, it goes without saying that it needs to be waterproof!
If it isn’t waterproof, then you will have problems with it.
If your motion sensor is waterproof, but the casing is damaged, you will also have problems with it. It will probably need replacing if this is the case.
It would be best if you also considered the temperature. Sensors will have an operating temperature range, and if the temperature moves out of this range, it will begin to show problems. Check the user manual for the device and make sure it is within the temperature range.
Motion Sensor Problems
Motion sensors are a common fixture in many homes, used to turn on lights when someone enters the room. However, sometimes these motion sensors can be a little fussy and cause problems. Here are some of the most common motion sensor problems:
- Motion sensor light stays on: this problem can be caused by several things, including a dirty sensor, incorrect sensitivity settings, or a problem with the wiring.
- Motion sensor light turns on by itself: this problem is usually caused by a problem with the wiring or the sensor itself.
Motion sensors are often too sensitive.
Motion sensors are often too sensitive, and they can be easily triggered by something as simple as a gust of wind. This can cause the motion sensor light to turn on or keep the light on even after the motion has stopped. If this happens to you, you can do a few things to fix the problem.
One solution is to adjust the sensitivity of the motion sensor. You can usually do this by turning a knob on the sensor itself.
If you make the sensor less sensitive, it will take more movement to trigger the light. For example, you may need to experiment with different settings to find one that works for your particular situation.
Another solution is to adjust the position of the sensor. Sometimes, the motion sensor can be triggered by something moving past it, even if that thing is not in its field of view.
By adjusting the position of the sensor, you can reduce the chances of this happening.
Being triggered by animals
A potential problem with motion sensors is that animals may trigger them. This can cause the light to stay on or turn on by itself.
One way to fix this is to adjust the sensor’s sensitivity. Another way to fix this is to ensure that nothing is blocking the sensor’s view.
The motion sensor is in a high traffic area.
If you have a motion sensor in a high traffic area, it will likely be triggered more often. This can cause the light to stay on or turn on by itself.
To fix this, you can try to adjust the motion sensor’s sensitivity or move it to a different location.
Motion sensor turning on by itself? It might be your batteries
If you have a motion sensor light that is turned on by itself, you can try to change the batteries or reset the motion sensor.
If your motion sensor light stays on, you can try to clean the lens or contacts. You should also check to see if anything is obstructing the view of the sensor.
Summary
If you are having issues with your motion sensor, ensure that you do the following:
- Check the location and move if necessary
- Clear the sensor following instructions given by the motion sensor
- Change any batteries
- Clean the solar panel (if it has one) following the instructions given with the motion sensor
- Adjust the sensitivity up or down, depending on your issue
- Move any obstruction if required
If you have been through the troubleshooting instructions here and in the user manual and your motion sensor is still not working as expected, it might be time to purchase another one.
Conclusion
So if you’re having problems with your motion sensor, whether it be false alarms or just not working correctly, we hope the tips in this article have helped. If they haven’t, it is worth contacting the sensor manufacturer.
You will want to make sure your home is as safe and secure as possible, and that starts with making sure your motion sensors are functioning correctly.
Good luck!