Troubleshooting your motion sensor light

Motion sensor lights provide convenient and affordable security and safety solutions to the outside of your home. Because they turn themselves on and off with movement, they are a deterrent for trespassers whilst also saving you money on your power bill. But if passing cars are setting it off or you have to do star-jumps in front of it to get the thing to turn on, it defeats the purpose and can end up being darn annoying. Before picking up the phone and calling us to come check it out, try these simple DIY fixes.

1. Give it a clean

It may be that a build up of dirt, dust, insects etc on the sensor is affecting its sensitivity. Using a soft moistened cloth and some window cleaner, give the sensor light a good clean paying particular attention to the lens of the infrared sensor that switches the light on when motion is detected.

2. Test the bulb

Most motion sensor lights will have a manual on/off switch that bypasses the sensor. Switch the setting to “on”, does the bulb illuminate? If not, you may need to replace the bulb.

3. Adjust the sensitivity

If the bulb illuminates when in the manual “on” setting but not when in motion detecting mode, check the sensitivity setting. Locate this setting and fine-tune it to your liking. It is usually a small knob that can be rotated from high to low.

4. Check the aim

Ensure the sensors are aimed at the area that you want motion to be detected. If it’s coming on too often, it could be that the sensor is aimed at a nearby street or where the neighbours dog roams, or if they aren’t coming on at all perhaps they are aimed directly at the ground or wall.

5. Reset the duration

If the light is staying on for too long, or perhaps not staying on long enough you can adjust this to a duration that suits. We recommend one to two minutes.

6. Still having issues?

Sadly not all sensor light problems can be easily fixed. There may be storm damage or faulty installation at play, give us a call and we’ll come take a look – 0448 219 007.