Range Hood Fan Will Not Turn On

Problem:

Range hood fan will not turn on. I turn on the switch, but the fan won’t turn on.

Solutions:

• Circuit board fuse burnt out
• Blower wheel immobilized
• Range hood motor failed
• New circuit board fuse
• Range hood motor replacement (Find a replacement here)
• Blower wheel
• Screw Driver

Items needed for solutions:

One of the most frustrating things is turning on something and find out that it won’t turn on. This article will go through each solution, causes for each issue, and a motor replacement guide.

1. Circuit Board Issues

Circuit boards are the main controller for electricity within our homes. Everyone has “tripped” the circuit board one time or another by using a high amount of power. Most common items that do this are blenders and mixers. Certain types of range hoods can use a high amount of power and cause the breaker to “trip”.

The first step is to find the circuit breaker. In most homes, the circuit breaker’s location is near or inside the garage. In apartments, the breaker panel’s location is generally near the washer room or in one of the back rooms.

After locating the circuit breaker, quickly scan the panel for disabled switches. If any breakers are turned off, read the labels and ensure that the correct breaker is enabled. Once the breaker is enabled, test the range hood again. If the problem persists, then check the fuse itself. It is possible that the fuse is no longer functional and it needs to be replaced.

If the fuse seems to be bad, find the specific fuse for the breaker panel and purchase a replacement part. It would be important to find the instruction manual for the breaker panel. However, the basic replacement is as follows:

• Make sure that the switch is turned off before proceeding
• Test connecting wires to see if they are active (do not proceed if that specific breaker is still enabled)
• Use a screwdriver to loosen wires
• Carefully remove wires and keep them separate and do not let them touch anything
• Firmly grasp the breaker and pull it out of its socket
• Set old breaker aside
• Install new breaker and make sure it is in securely
• Reinsert wires and tighten them down
• Turn on new breaker and test functionality

If the range hood still will not turn on, continue to the next section for another solution

2. Blower wheel is immobilized

The range hood blower wheel has many names. It is sometimes known as the blower wheel, fan, and fan blade. However, these are all names for the same thing. The blower wheel is the fan blade that is attached to the motor. It is responsible for creating suction power in the range hood.

One overlooked problem is grease and residue buildup on the blower wheel. Any range hood that has been in service for a long period of time is prone to some type of buildup. Residue buildup adds extra weight to the blower wheel and cause more stress on the motor. The more buildup the unit has, the chances are higher that the motor will burn out.

Grease can be very hazardous and very damaging to a range hood. Not only can it add extra weight to the blower wheel, grease can also buildup in and around the motor itself. If enough grease surrounds the motor, it can cause it to seize up and burn out from not being able to move.

To check for buildup issues, do the following:

• Ensure that range hood is disconnected or powered off (simply turning off the switch is not sufficient)
• Disconnect the grease filter (Some are held on by latches, slide-in grooves, or screws)
• Use a flashlight and search for grease buildup on the motor or blower wheel
• If the blower wheel is saturated with grease, simply purchase a replacement part

Another issue is that the blower wheel can become unbalanced or detached from the motor shaft. An unbalanced blower wheel will cause high amounts of unnecessary stress on the motor and cause it to wear out. In some cases, the blower wheel can become partially detached and pin itself to the range hood. Check all of these possible issues before continuing to the next solution.

3. Motor Replacement

The most common and practical solution for a non-functioning range hood fan is the motor. As described previously, there are many reasons as to why a motor has failed. The average life span of a range hood motor is 8-10 years, however, the life span can be significantly reduced by the amount of use per day, types of items cooked under the fan (very greasy or smoky foods), and improper installation.

If the range hood was not fixed by using the previous solutions, then it is highly likely that the motor needs to be replaced. If a motor replacement is needed, a replacement can be found here. Replacing a range hood motor can be very simple depending on the specific model. To replace a motor, use the following as a general guide:

• Turn off and disconnect the range hood fan (Simply turning off the range hood is not sufficient. It is recommended that the power breaker is turned to the “off” setting.)
• It is highly recommended to use a voltage meter to make sure that there isn’t power running to the unit. (Any power running to the unit can be very dangerous)
• Once the power is turned off, proceed to remove the grease filter and cover from the range hood with the necessary tools.
• With a clear view of the fan motor; remove any cords and wires connected to the unit and unmount it. (Most fans are simple to remove since they are simply inserted into their housing)
• Install new motor replacement into its housing. Be sure to reconnect the wires and cords that were disconnected in the previous step. In most cases, the housing should be very simple which makes the installation effortless.
• Finally, reassemble the range hood by putting the covers and filters back on

Turn breaker power switch back on and test for functionality of the unit.

The range hood should now work properly. However, if the range hood is still not functioning, please feel free to consult with us at 866.368.8663 . We are more than happy to assist in any way possible!

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