Repairing Guides

how to repair ceiling fan not rotating

by Lesley Kutch Sr. Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How to fix a ceiling fan that won’t spin

  1. Blown motor capacitor. REASON: One of the common reasons because of which you have a ceiling fan that won’t spin is a blown motor capacitor.
  2. Broken flywheel. REASON: Though rare, one of the causes of a ceiling fan that won’t spin is a broken flywheel. ...
  3. Frozen bearings. ...
  4. Check the power. ...

If your fan isn't turning properly, or one or more of your speed control settings isn't working, use these ceiling fan troubleshooting tips: Step 1: Locate the ball bearings and give them a good cleaning. Add lubricant to ensure proper rotation. Step 2: Replace the ceiling fan capacitor.

Full Answer

How to fix a ceiling fan that won’t spin?

How to fix a ceiling fan that won’t spin 1 Blown motor capacitor. REASON: One of the common reasons because of which you have a ceiling fan that won’t spin is a blown motor capacitor. 2 Broken flywheel. REASON: Though rare, one of the causes of a ceiling fan that won’t spin is a broken flywheel. ... 3 Frozen bearings. ... 4 Check the power. ...

Why is my fan speed not working on my Ceiling Fan?

Ceiling Fan Speeds Are Not Working. If your ceiling fan won't turn on or your speed settings are not working properly, you may notice a sharp change in the airflow. To determine the cause of the fan speed malfunction, follow the steps below: Clean and lubricate the ball bearings. Replace the ceiling fan capacitor.

Should you repair or replace your ceiling fan?

Most ceiling fan warranties cover a limited amount of components in your fan. If it’s brand new you can go ahead and replace the entire unit. But if it’s more than a couple of years there will be problems that might need the fan replaced. The first step is to have someone look at the fan to check all the parts.

How do you fix a fan that won't turn on?

Turn the power off the circuit breaker. Loosen the canopy, check all the wire connections are correctly assembled and secured with wire nuts. Make sure the fan blades spin freely. Pull the pull chain to make sure it is on. Confirm the reverse switch is not in a neutral position.

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Why is my ceiling fan humming and not spinning?

Humming, accompanied by a failure of the blades to turn, is a classic symptom of a failed capacitor. To check, turn on the fan so that the humming sound is audible and try turning the blades manually. If they start turning after a good push, you need to replace the capacitor.

Why did my ceiling fan stopped working but light still works?

If your ceiling fan stopped working but the light still works, check for a humming sound. This could be indicative of a blown motor capacitor, which is often caused by overheating. While inspecting the motor housing, look for a small black box connected to the pull cord.

What is the problem with a fan that does not rotate unless rotated manually to start?

A fan rotates using electromagnets and thus require additional power to start rotating. As the capacitor is blown, the fan is not receiving this additional power to start its rotation. When you rotate the fan manually, you provide this additional energy.

What is the lifespan of a ceiling fan?

10 yearsExhaust and ceiling fans are estimated to typically last for a maximum of 10 years while air conditioners last for 8 to 15 years.

Can a ceiling fan motor be repaired?

If the motor does turn out to actually be the problem, you can certainly replace it. Some motors simply plug in and out of the fan. If you're not lucky enough to have one of those, you'll have to wire the new motor into place, matching the colored wires.

How do you fix a fan that won't oscillate?

How to Fix an Oscillating FanUnplug the fan before any repairs are made. ... Take off the grill of the fan. ... Check the motor housing, shaft, blades and grill to see if they need to be cleaned. ... Check the set screw for any wear or damage. ... Check the motor housing and gear assembly.More items...

How do you troubleshoot a ceiling fan?

2:144:58How to Troubleshoot Your Ceiling Fan | The Home Depot - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLight isn't working properly try tightening any loose bulbs and replacing any that are burnt outMoreLight isn't working properly try tightening any loose bulbs and replacing any that are burnt out next try resetting the remote by turning off the power and removing the batteries.

How do you fix a stuck fan?

0:401:41Fixing a seized oscillating fan motor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow I just use wd-40 on there which is not the best permanent lubricant. So I'm just going to addMoreNow I just use wd-40 on there which is not the best permanent lubricant. So I'm just going to add some three in one household oil on here and spin that a bit and let that get into the bearing.

Why does my ceiling fan only work when the light is on?

A Broken Pull Cord Inside the Fan Another reason your ceiling fan may work only when lights are on is a broken pull cord. Pull cords help turn the fan and lights on and off when using a single switch. When the pull cord for the fan is broken, if it's on or in high settings, it will stick in that position.

Why did my fan just stop?

A dried out or sticky pin is one of the most common reasons for blades to stop spinning. If they spin easily and there's no resistance, try turning your fan on and see if the pin spins. If it doesn't, the problem isn't the pin and there is probably a short in the motor.

Do ceiling fans have a reset button?

There are several ways to reset a ceiling fan remote, but here's the most straightforward: With the power off, hold down the button until the light on the remote flashes. Then, press and hold it again for 15-30 seconds to resynchronize the remote with your fan.

How do I know if my ceiling fan motor is bad?

0:251:33How to Tell if a Ceiling Fan Is Broken : Ceiling Fan Maintenance - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you have that loud humming sound a lot of times you'll just smell almost an electrical burningMoreAnd you have that loud humming sound a lot of times you'll just smell almost an electrical burning smell. That your motor out.

What to do when a ceiling fan doesn't work?

When a ceiling fan doesn’t work at all, the first thing to do is to make sure it is receiving electrical power from its switch and from your home’s circuit breaker or fuse box.

Why does my ceiling fan wobble?

In many cases, wobble happens when a fan has been hung from a regular ceiling electrical box instead of an electrical box that’s rated for fans. Because of its weight and constant movement, a fan exerts far more force on the electrical box than does a light. If a fan works its way loose, it could come crashing down.

What is a flywheel on a ceiling fan?

A flywheel is a rubber disc that attaches the ceiling fan motor’s shaft to the blades. The rubber helps minimize vibration in the blades, but over time the material can crack and break. If the fan stops turning but the motor continues to hum, you probably have a damaged or broken flywheel.

How to remove a broken flywheel?

To remove the broken flywheel, you must disassemble the fan assembly. It’s helpful to take pictures of the fan as you disassemble it to make reassembly easier. Before working on the fan, be sure to turn the power off at the circuit breaker. 1 Remove the fan’s blades and open the fan switch housing.

What happens if a fan capacitor burns out?

If this capacitor burns out, it must be replaced or the blades won’t turn or will turn improperly.

What are the parts of a ceiling fan?

A ceiling fan consists of a few basic parts, namely an electric motor with a housing, blades and the “irons” that hold most types of blades in place, and a downrod or other mounting device.

How to tell if fan blades are bent?

6 Measure to see if the blade tips hang an even distance from the ceiling. If they don’t, one or more of the blades may be bent or warped. Report this to the manufacturer. Most fan makers offer replacement fan blades.

What to do if your ceiling fan is not working?

If your ceiling fan is operating correctly, but the light kit fails, use the steps below to determine the cause: Check that the light bulb is securely fastened into the socket. Confirm the bulb has not burned out. If so, turn the power off and replace the light bulb. Restore power and resume normal use.

Why won't my ceiling fan turn on?

If your ceiling fan won't turn on or your speed settings are not working properly, you may notice a sharp change in the airflow. To determine the cause of the fan speed malfunction, follow the steps below: Clean and lubricate the ball bearings. Replace the ceiling fan capacitor.

Why Buy from Del Mar Fans and Lighting?

There are many reasons to buy from Del Mar Fans and Lighting, however, here are just a few reasons we would like to bring attention to!

How long does it take for a ceiling fan to adjust?

To determine the cause of your noisy fan, use the steps below: If you've recently installed the fan, allow 24 hours for the ceiling fan to adjust. If your ceiling fan has a light kit, tighten any loose screws securing the glassware. Confirm the light bulbs are firmly threaded into the socket.

How far should a ceiling fan be from the floor?

Verify the ceiling fan is suspended to hang between 7-8 feet from the floor so the air is reaching the ground. Also, a fan that is too close to the ceiling or wall will provide poor airflow. See Del Mar Fans & Lighting's ceiling fan installation guide for additional tips.

Why does my ceiling fan shake?

If your ceiling fan wobbles or shakes, it may be due to several factors such as bent blade brackets, loose screws, or dusty or warped fan blades. Use the steps below to determine the cause of the problem:

What to do if light bulb is charred?

Inspect the light bulb sockets for charred or burn marks. If so, you may have a short in the wiring and you will need to fix or replace the wiring.

What to do if your ceiling fan stops working?

If your ceiling fan has stopped working, there could be a danger you need to fix immediately. It could be an electrical problem, a capacitor problem, or an electronic problem. Whatever the case may be, you need to disconnect the fan power source so there is no issue at all. Unless you are an electrician you don’t have an instant answer, so the next logical step is to check the warranty.

How to tell if ceiling fan is off center?

This begins with the tip of one blade measured to the rear edge of the next. They should all have the same distance. If one is off by to 1 inch, you’ll be certain it’s off-centered. You can then begin testing different weights from a ceiling fan balancing kit to stop the wobble.

How close should a ceiling fan be to the floor?

Not only can it injure somebody, but it can also harm the fan and cause the blades to become misaligned. Then you have to deal with wobbling and other sound problems. Spinning fan blades should always be at least 7-8 feet above your head.

Why does my ceiling fan wobble?

The reason is typically due to fan blade balancing. If these blades are not properly spaced or have been accidentally bent, the entire fan can wobble.

How tall should a fan be?

The tallest person in the room should be the starting point for that measurement. If you’re a very tall person then you need to look at hugger fans. These fans have no down rods and fit closer to low ceilings. Most rooms are 8 feet tall, so this usually isn’t a concern. You need at least 7 feet between the fan blades and the floor to make an effective downdraft possible. This way, airflow is maximized to allow the fan blades to bring air back up to the ceiling again.

How to tell if a capacitor is bad?

The fan will run slower than usual or selected speeds won’t work correctly. At that point, it’s time to take your ceiling fan down and replace the capacitor. Be sure to choose the exact type capacitor that is recommended for your ceiling fan. Otherwise, the number of speed settings and control will not work properly.

Why does my ceiling fan make a noise?

Noise or humming ceiling fan. Nearly every ceiling fan will have some sort of noise issue, simply because it’s an electrical appliance with moving parts. If it’s an older fan model, it will no doubt need more oiling and maintenance.

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