If you buy an item via links on this page, we may earn a commission. Our editorial content is not influenced by commissions. Read the full disclosure.
Having a hard time controlling your motion sensor light? Maybe it needs a reset. Here are the steps on how to reset outdoor motion sensor lights for beginners.
There are times when your outdoor or porch motion sensor lights won’t work the way you want it to work. This usually happens after a power interruption or a complete blackout. Sometimes, the lights would even flicker randomly and then shut off. Fortunately though, you don’t need to worry too much about it getting spoiled because it may just need a quick reset.
Once you reset a motion sensor light, the problem will most likely be solved without having to call in a professional. The only thing you have to think about is how to reset outdoor motion sensor lights. In this guide, we’re going to teach you the steps on how to do just that.
Contents
What is a Motion Sensor Light
Before we begin learning how to reset outdoor motion sensor lights, it’s really important that you know what a motion sensor light is and how it works. As the name implies, the motion sensor light turns on and off based on motion. This means that it would turn on when someone in its sensor range comes near it. So, let’s say you install a motion sensor light somewhere on your porch, it will automatically light up when you walk near it.
At the same time, it would also automatically turn off after a few minutes of not sensing motion. This handy little feature is controlled by the in-built motion sensor that you can usually control with a switch button. If you turn on the motion sensor, then it will work when it detects motion. If you turn it off, then it will work like a regular light.
How to Reset a Motion Sensor Light (Step-by-Step Guide)
Now that you know how a typical motion sensor light works, we can now go on to the step by step guide on how to reset a motion sensor light.
In this guide, we will be mentioning several methods on how to reset led motion sensor lights just in case the first one doesn’t work. That way, you’ll be able to troubleshoot it without too much trouble.
Take a look at the steps below:
Step 1: Turn Off the Circuit Breaker
First, you must turn off the circuit breaker for around 30 seconds in order to fully reset the motion sensor lights. If it still does not reset, then you may not to leave the circuit breaker off for a longer period of time. In fact, there are some models that specifically tell you to leave it off for an hour to fully reset it. So, try 30 seconds to a minute first. If that doesn’t work, try an hour.
Step 2: Turn the Switch On and Off
Another thing that you could do is simply turn the motion sensor switch on and off. Leave it off for around two to five seconds and you should be able to reset it.
Step 3: Rapid Switch the Light
Lastly, you can rapidly turn the light on and off. Turn the light on and off for approximately four times then leave it on. If it stays on continuously, then turn it off and leave it off for five seconds. From there, turn it back on. Once it is already back on, then it should already be reset.
Step 4: Unplug the Light
This is one of the last resorts that most people use in order to reset their motion sensor lights. Simply unplug the power of your light and leave it unplugged for a few seconds. After that, plug it back in and turn the light back on.
Those are four of the most effective ways to do the troubleshooting for motion sensor lights. If the first one doesn’t work, then you can try out the other two. But usually, the first method on how to reset a motion sensor light does the trick.
Want to know how motion sensor circuit works? Check out Tinker Crate’s video right here:
Frequently Asked Questions
Even if you already know the steps to reset a motion sensor light, it’s also really important to know more about the appliance. Doing so can help you have a deeper understanding of why it acts faulty sometimes and how to track down root causes.
For that, here are a few FAQs that most beginners ask with regard to motion sensor lights:
Q: Should I reset the motion sensor light after a power outage?
A: You may reset it just to be safe. But if the light works perfectly fine when the power comes back on, then you don’t really need to.
Q: What is a possible reason that my sensor is always on?
A: This is one of the problems that you may experience wherein you need to reset your light. This problem is usually caused by a power surge that could have interrupted the electrical system.
Q: What if the problem still persists even if I have troubleshooted with the methods above?
A: Then the problem may be with the sensor itself or the bulb. In that case, you may need to replace the sensor or even replace the bulb.
Conclusion
These are some of the things that you should know when you feel like you need to reset motion sensor flood lights. By learning these tips on how to reset a motion sensor light, you will at the very least know what to do after power outages or power surges without calling a professional. Just troubleshoot using these steps and you should have no more difficulty.
Having a problem with your motion sensor light? Try resetting it before doing anything else! If that works, then you can continue to enjoy using your light.
Have trouble converting your fluorescent light to LED system? Read our guide to have more insights. CLICK HERE!
