Ceiling Fan and Light Stuck Working? Here’s What to Do

If you flip the switch to your ceiling fan and nothing happens, there may be an easy fix. Alternatively, you could have a more serious problem that requires the attention of an electrician. Regardless of what the cause, you can perform some basic diagnostics to determine the problem. If you are lucky, the problem will be something as simple as replacing a burned-out bulb.

Before attempting any repairs, make sure that the ceiling fan and light switches are both turned on and that no other wall switch controls them. This step is particularly important if a guest or family member recently switched the switches. Check the light bulbs to ensure they are working and that they don’t exceed the wattage guidelines for your lighting kit.

A humming sound coming from the fan is often indicative of a motor capacitor that has blown. The overheating causes the motor to slow down or stop running entirely. Attempting to replace the capacitor yourself can be dangerous, so it’s best left to an experienced residential electrician who provides electrical services at a reasonable cost.

If your ceiling fan still doesn’t work, first turn off the power at the circuit breaker or fuse box that serves the room. Once the switch is off, remove the cover from the switch to expose the wiring. Hold a noncontact voltage reader against the bottom screw that connects to the ceiling fan and verify that it reads 120 volts. If it doesn’t, you may need to splice new wires to restore power.