Motion sensor lights on porches or outdoor areas sometimes don’t operate as expected. This usually happens after a blackout or power outage. There’s no reason to worry because it could need a reset if it gets spoiled. You will probably be able to solve the problem on your own once you reset a motion sensor light. This guide details the steps you need to take to do just that.
What is a Motion Sensor Light
It’s important to understand what a motion sensor light is and how it works before learning how to reset outdoor motion sensor lights. The motion sensor light automatically turns on and off when motion is detected. If someone comes within the range of its sensor, it will automatically turn on. In other words, if you install a motion-triggered light on your porch, it will automatically turn on when you walk near it.
In addition, it would also turn off automatically when there was no motion detected for a few minutes. You can usually control this function with the switch button on the motion sensor. As soon as it detects motion, the motion sensor will be activated.
Step By Step Guide On How to Reset Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights
We can now move on to the step-by-step guide on how to reset a motion sensor light after you understand how a typical motion sensor light works. Just in case the first method doesn’t work, we will go over several ways how to reset outdoor motion sensor lights in this guide. That way, you can troubleshoot the issue without much difficulty. Listed below are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Turn Off the Circuit Breaker
To fully reset the motion sensor lights, first, you need to switch off the circuit breaker for around 30 seconds. Unless the circuit breaker resets by itself, you should not leave the circuit breaker off for a long time. You are even instructed to turn it off for an hour for some models before fully resetting it.
Step 2: Turn the Switch On and Off
Alternatively, you could turn on and off the motion sensor switch. You should be able to reset it after leaving it off for about two to five seconds.
Step 3: Rapid Switch the Light
The light can be turned on and off quickly. It should be turned on and off about four times, then left on. If it keeps on constantly, turn it off and let it sit for five seconds. After that, it should be reset.
Step 4: Unplug the Light
Most people use this as the last resort when trying to reset their motion sensors. Remove the power from your light and allow it to sit unplugged for a few seconds. Turn the light back on after plugging it back in.
You can troubleshoot motion sensor lights in the four most effective ways. If the first one doesn’t work, you can try out the other two. But the first method for resetting outdoor motion sensor lights usually works.
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Daisy is the engine behind Be-Safe.org — from content production to product reviews and more. What drives her is the passion to make home security information easily available.
