Your ceiling fan may be making a loud noise but it doesn’t spin. If your fan is making a strange noise but still turns, you can check its switch or capacitor. Usually the fan is humming or buzzing. If you can’t find the problem, check for loose screws. A loose screw may cause the blades to not spin properly. A new blade screw may fix the problem. After checking these points, you can move on to the next step.
Fixing a ceiling fan that won’t spin
First, check the electrical connections. If they are open, the fan motor probably has a problem. The motor should be able to spin when pushed by hand, and if it isn’t spinning, you need to replace the motor. You can try to repair the motor yourself, but it might be more affordable to buy a new one. If you find the problem after attempting to repair the motor, contact a professional to help you install the new one.
One reason why your ceiling fan doesn’t spin is because its blades are distorted. The blades should be flat and the same angle as others. If the blades are crooked, bent, or twisted, the fan won’t spin properly and can even rock and click. Warped blades are a common problem and often can be easily fixed. A cheap composite fan may have warped due to humidity, and high-width fans are especially prone to warping.
Fixing a ceiling fan that hums
Sometimes the motor of your ceiling fan is the cause of the hum. It can be strained and cause the fan to hum, so you should replace the bearings. You can buy replacements for your fan bearings online or at your local hardware store. However, this method can be difficult if you don’t know how to replace the bearings. Another common cause of a humming ceiling fan is a loose wiring connection. In this case, the fan is receiving power from the power supply, but the blade rotation is too intermittent to be effective.
To check whether your ceiling fan is working properly, try rotating the blades manually. You may find that a ball bearing needs to be replaced. If the ball bearings are loose, you may need to open the fan housing to get to them. Otherwise, the problem may be something more complex. Replace the motor only if you’ve exhausted all the other options. If your ceiling fan is brand-new, it may have loose wiring or a broken switch.
Fixing a ceiling fan that has a bad capacitor
If your ceiling fan will not turn on with the switch, or is not spinning as fast as it used to, it’s time to replace its capacitor. If you can’t feel the motor in your hand, you may need to push the motor with a hand. You can also test the capacitor manually by pressing the blades with your hand. A bad capacitor will result in slower fan speeds, which means you should replace it with a working one of the same or larger size.
Ceiling fans usually have double-coil motors. The first is for starting and the other one for running. The capacitor is wired in series with the start winding and becomes the auxiliary winding when the fan is running. It also has a second winding for the reverse function. The capacitor can easily be replaced by the manufacturer or at an electrical supply outlet. However, it’s important to know that capacitors are different for different models.
Fixing a ceiling fan that has a bad switch
If you’re having trouble spinning your ceiling fan, chances are the switch is broken or damaged. Check the wiring, especially the switch on the ceiling fan’s wall. If you can’t see a red light, the problem may be with the switch. If the wiring is damaged, get a licensed electrician to fix the problem. This is a relatively simple repair that will cost you little money.
Before you start repairing the switch, you need to remove the capacitor. It will be connected to the pull chain. To remove the capacitor, remove the screws that hold it in place. Then, unplug the power cord from the ceiling fan. Replace the capacitor with a new one. This will help the ceiling fan spin again. If the fan is still making noise but won’t spin after rewiring, try replacing the capacitor.
