It sounds like the system is in “test” mode. There are times when there is a switch and others when it is set by flipping the power switch on and off.
Walking around and watching where the motion sensor comes on allows you to adjust the sensitivity or angle. During test mode, it resets after just a few seconds since you don’t want to wait 10 minutes each time.
Once you turn it on, activate it, and leave it for a while, you should be good to go. You can also permanently turn it on by flipping the switch two times within two seconds. After that, flip the switch again to return to “auto” mode.
Motion Sensors Don’t Like Having Power Cut
Initially, you might think of a motion sensor as a stateless device: “detect motion, turn on, that’s all it takes.” In fact, motion sensors do much more than that.
How often do you see motion sensors turning on during daylight hours? It doesn’t. They don’t come on during the day because they have light sensors.
It’s daylight. It’s nighttime. What’s so hard about that? It is the complex iris of the human eye that allows the eye to adapt to different levels of light.
Due to this auto-compensation, the day and the night are simply the same. To a machine, however, light is only perceived at the frequencies it detects, and therefore it sees only the absolute lux level.
According to this study, shady north-facing locations have less absolute lux during the day than locations with artificial lighting.
To determine what light levels will be like here, the sensor must “see” a decent chunk of a day-night cycle.
This data will be stored for later use after the program has spent most of the day learning that. Nevertheless, if you cut its power, its memory is wiped, and it must start over.
As long as your motion sensor is on a switch, you can expect substandard performance. That’s just the way it is.
What Else Causes Security Light To Stay On For A Few Seconds
If your security light only stays on for a few seconds, there could be a few potential reasons for this behavior. Here are some common issues and troubleshooting steps you can take:
Sensor Range Adjustment:
Check if the sensor range is properly set. If the range is set too short, the light might turn off quickly, assuming there is no longer any movement within its range.
Sensor Positioning:
Ensure that the sensor is positioned correctly. Sometimes, if the sensor is facing a busy street or an area with constant movement, the light might turn off quickly, assuming the movement is just passing traffic.
Obstructions:
Check for any obstructions that might be blocking the sensor’s view. These can include branches, debris, or even dirt on the sensor itself. Clean the sensor and remove any obstacles that might be interfering with its operation.
Power Source:
Verify the power source to the security light. If it’s not receiving adequate power, it might not function properly. Check the wiring and connections to ensure there are no loose connections or damaged wires.
Settings Configuration:
Some security lights come with adjustable settings for the duration of time the light stays on after detecting motion. Check the settings to ensure that the light is set to stay on for the desired duration.
Faulty Sensor or Light:
If none of the above steps resolve the issue, there might be a problem with the sensor or the light itself. In such cases, you might need to replace the sensor or the entire security light.
How to Reset a Motion Sensor Light That’s Stuck
Occasionally, a motion detector light will not function correctly after an electrical episode due to sensitivity to surges and blinks.
It may appear that the fixture is broken, but in many cases, it simply needs to be reset.
You can save yourself a lot of time, money, and hassle by troubleshooting the motion sensor light yourself.
How to Reset a Motion Sensor Light
Do you know how to “unstuck” your motion sensor light and make it work optimally again? If your light isn’t working, try these troubleshooting tips before investing in a new one:
- For at least 30 seconds, turn off the fixture’s circuit breaker.
- Turn on and off the light switch for two seconds, then on again for two seconds if the fixture has one.
- Lights that have a light switch should be switched on and off quickly four or five times, until they stay on.
- Turn off the light for five seconds, then turn it back on.
- Consider adjusting the device’s sensitivity level so that it is less sensitive to motion.
- Even if it does not detect chipmunks running by, it must be sensitive enough to detect someone trespassing on your property.
- Make sure the light fixture doesn’t have a bad bulb by replacing the light bulbs.
You will know if you need to reset your motion sensor light, install new bulbs, or update your outdoor lighting after completing these steps.
When Should You Reset a Motion Sensor Light?
If a person, vehicle, or other moving object is within the sensor’s range, your motion sensor light should turn on.
Over time or after a power blink, the lights may become less responsive or stop working altogether. Motion sensor lights may need to be reset in the following scenarios:
- People and vehicles, as well as large moving objects, do not trigger the light.
- Instead of turning off once the movement has stopped, the light remains on for an extended period of time or permanently. As soon as motion is detected, a working light turns off.
- Motion is not consistently detected by the light, and it seems less sensitive than usual.
- You may be able to solve the issue by troubleshooting the motion sensor light if one of these situations sounds familiar to you.
Final Words
If you’ve tried these troubleshooting steps and the issue persists, you might want to consult a professional electrician or the manufacturer’s customer support for further assistance.
