unable to read ir sensor value

Some progress - The problem was the wrong polarity (connected the phototransistor wrong).

now when I COVER the phototransistor I get a reading of about 200-300, when UNCOVERED i get a reading of about ~900.

when I turn of the light in my room, it drops to 0 as you said.

Problem is that the IR LED doesn't effed whatsoever on the phototransistor, I tried to move it closer/cover/uncover, you name it, it's like it doens't excist.