Troubleshooting Your Fan

The fuse or circuit breaker could be blown.

Check main or branch circuit fuses or circuit breakers.

Loose power line connections to the fan or loose switch wire connections in the switch housing.

Check line power connections to the fan and switch wire connection in the switch housing.
WARNING: Make sure main power is turned off!

Fan/Light wall control is OFF.

Turn ON Fan/Light wall control.

If you are using a remote control, the code switches in wall control/receiver may not be set in the same position.

Check that both wall control and receiver code switches are set in the same positions.

Check for locked receiver.

Turn the power off for a few minutes, then back on, and then reset receiver.

My fan makes a humming noise.

DO NOT USE DIMMERS TO CONTROL FANS SPEEDS. Most dimmer wall controls are made to control lights and will cause your fan to hum.
If you are using a remote control, remove the receiver and connect the fan directly to power. If the noise goes away, you have a bad receiver.
Your fan could have bad capacitors – try changing the switch cup and/or capacitors.

Blades not attached to the fan.

Some want to test their fan before they install it onto the ceiling. If you are testing your fan and the blades have not been installed onto the fan, the fan will make a motor noise. All fans make noise without the blades installed. Attach blades to fan before operating.

Screws securing fan blades to the motor are loose.

Check to make sure the screws that attach the fan blades to the motor are tight.

Wire connectors inside switch housing are rattling

Check to make sure the wire connectors in the switch housing are not rattling against each other or against the interior wall of the switch housing.
WARNING: Make sure main power is turned off!

Loose screws in motor housing

Check to make sure all screws in motor housing are snug (not over-tight).

The fan is on a dimmer.

Remove the dimmer and replace with standard

The noise is a sizzling sound and an odor is present.

The drive capacitor is bad. Replace it.

A fan mounted directly to ceiling joist can cause noise.

When fans are hung on a ceiling joist, noise from the fan can be amplified through the joist causing a loud noise. To minimize noise, use an approved hanger that mounts between the ceiling joists. This helps to isolate the fan so that the noise from the motor has a harder time traveling to the joist and creating amplified noise. This is not a guarantee, but in many cases it does the job.

The fan is not mounted directly to a ceiling joist.

Check for a loose capacitor, motor collar, canopy or hang bracket. If the noise is an oscillating hum noise, then run the fan in the forward direction on high speed for 8 to 10 hours. This can break in the capacitors and ensure that all the bearings are sealed well.

I have multiple fans on the same control/ same circuit.

Fans used in tandem with other fans on a wall controller tend to be more prone to noise. In older homes, it's common for many rooms to be on the same branch circuits. This can cause a low voltage to be present which will cause a fan to make noise and run slowly.

The fan makes a grinding sound.

The ball bearings in motor are probably bad. Some fans have flywheels that attach the blades to the motor. If the flywheel is sagging or has broken, the blade irons may be scraping on the top of the switch cup housing.

The fan makes a clicking sound.****

The noise may be a loose mesh on the upper or lower housing that covers the vents. Tighten all screws in the fan.
Make sure the junction box is securely mounted to the ceiling.
Make sure nothing (wire nuts, wires, screws, etc) is hitting the motor as it spins.
Tighten the blade to blade iron screws.
If you have high gloss blades on your fan, the glossy finish could have cracked. Tighten the screws attaching the blades to the blade irons. If this doesn’t work, try using some felt washers to absorb the space left from the cracked paint.

The fan makes a creaking sound.

This noise will vary with speed and in most cases can be traced to the blades: try tightening or replacing the blades.

The fan makes an intermittent sound.

The noise is possibly due to loose screws on the fan. Check all screws. Check to ensure the mounting bracket is tightly mounted to the j-box.

The fan makes a rubbing sound.

The noise may be from the lower motor housing. Check for bent housing or shipping damage if it's new. If it is an older fan, the flywheel (a circular piece that attached the blade irons to the motor) could be sagging or broken and the blade irons are rubbing against the housing as the fan turns.
Your fans blade irons could be sagging and the blade irons are scraping the top of the switch cap housing.

The fan runs slowly with a hum noise.

The voltage level that the fan is receiving may be low. This will cause motor to struggle. Voltage level below 105 volts A/C will cause noise.
DO NOT USE DIMMERS TO CONTROL FANS SPEEDS.

Setscrew in motor coupling is not tightened securely

Raise coupling cover and tighten setscrew securely.

Setscrew in hanger ball / downrod assembly is loose

Tighten the setscrew in hanger ball / downrod assembly.

Screws securing fan blades to the motor are loose

Check to make sure the screws which attach the fan blades to the motor are tight.

Fan blades are not seated properly

Check to make sure blade flanges seat firmly and uniformly to the surface of the motor. If blades are seated incorrectly, loosen the blade screws and re-tighthen them.

Hanger bracket and/or ceiling outlet box is not securely fastened.

Tighten the hanger bracket screws to the outlet box, and/or secure outlet box.

Fan blades out of balance

Interchanging an adjacent (side-by-side) blade pair can redistribute the weight and result in smoother operation or use supplied balancing kit to balance blades.

New fans

Hang distance from ceiling is very important. Blades should be as far away from ceiling as possible. On an 8’ ceiling, blades should be at least ten inches from the ceiling for maximum air movement.

Blade Height: To receive the best possible air movement from a fan mounted on a ceiling height of 9' foot or higher, it's best to have blade height at 8' level or as close as possible to 8' level.

Blade Type: Best performing blade is the standard 52" blade. If using a larger blade or a cloth type blade, wide blade, palm leaf style blade, performance will be less on high speeds, but the same or better on low speeds.

The fan is an existing unit.

If the fan is an existing unit, it is assumed that the motor was working correctly. With most existing fans, the motor is usually the last thing to give out on the fan. Most often if the fan is still running, the drive capacitor is weak and needs to be replaced.

Note: Existing blades can cause the same problem due to angle of blade changing over time. Replace blades and/or existing blade irons.

The blades are not moving.

Make sure the fan is receiving full power.
Remove the motor stops.
If your fan has a detachable switch cap housing, ensure that the molex connectors are thoroughly connected.

All speeds do not work.

Check for a bad reverse switch. If it's good, then check the pull chain switch. If you are using a remote control (wall or hand held), the receiver or transmitter could be bad.
For detachable type housing, replace entire control assembly if a problem is present with speed or reversing of fan. Make sure the fan is receiving full power.

Fan will not reverse.

Check the REVERSE switch on the fan. The switch may not be set to either the forward or reverse setting. Note: If the fan works in one direction but not the other, then the reverse switch is bad.

The light turns on but the blades don’t move.

Turn your fan on and press the REVERSE button and listen for a 'click' sound. If the sound is present you will need to replace the receiver if you are using remote control.
Note: If receiver is a canopy mount type with a reversing remote, check that the reverse module in fan is not bad.

The light does not turn on and blades do not move.

Check that the power to the fan is present. If the power is present, replace the receiver if you are using a remote. If you are using a wall control, make sure the pull chain for the light is in the “on” position and make sure the fan pull chain switch is in the “high” setting.

*** Before trying any service tips, please try turning off the power to the fan for 30 minutes. This will reset the receiver to its default setting. ***

The fan motor or light does not work, but other functions work. The fan motor or light will not turn off, but other functions work.

** Replace the receiver**

The fan motor will not reverse or the motor will stop if reversed.

Replace receiver and reset codes.

The fan is dead. No functions work, but they did work at one time.

Check for power.
Check for locked receiver. Turn the power off, then back on, and then reset receiver.
Replace receiver.
If a light bulb burned out and the fan stopped working, then the receiver may be damaged. Replace it.

The lights flicker and then turn off.

Make sure you are using the appropriate bulbs. You can not use non dimming compact fluorescent bulbs with dimmable remote controls.
Check for power.
Check for locked receiver. Turn the power off, then back on, and then reset receiver.
Replace receiver.

The light will NOT come on, all other functions work.

Check the transmitter.
Replace the receiver and set the codes.
Make sure the fan’s blue wire (sometime a black wire with a white stripe) is not connected to a power wire from the house. If using an in-wall remote control, the blue wire is no longer used and is replaced by the function of the light control button on the in-wall controller.

No fan functions work.

Check for the following problems:

1. Is the house power off?
2. Is the wall switch off?
3. Are the codes set wrong?
4. Is the receiver locked up?Note: If the receiver was working, then stopped working, try turning off the power to fan for 30 minutes, then turn it back on.

The transmitter will not turn off the light.

If a light bulb burned out and the fan stopped working, then the receiver may be damaged. Replace receiver.

The transmitter will NOT turn the motor on or it will only work in one direction only.

If the light on the fan works, the reverse module is bad. Check internal module if your model has built in reversing. Refer to qualified service person.
If the light does not work:

1. Check that transmitter codes are set to match the receiver.
2. Check for power at the receiver. If power is present, replace the receiver.

The transmitter range is very weak during use (average range of a transmitter is 22-25 feet).

1. Check the battery.
2. Check that the red indicator light comes on during use (if applicable).
3. Check that the antenna is connected or placed well inside receiver.

If none of the above solves the problem, replace the transmitter and receiver.

The fan has a light bulb issue.

• Never replace a bulb with a higher rating bulb than what the light kit specifies.
• Never replace a light bulb with a halogen bulb unless the light kit was designed to use halogen bulbs.
• When replacing a light bulb, use a high quality bulb.

Light bulb replacement suggestions.

You can use either standard bulbs or high efficiency bulbs as long as your light kit uses standard bulbs and will except the bulb size and you use bulbs with the approved wattage.

Note: If your light kit has a screw base that is a candelabra type, then you must use that type of bulb and rating.

You can use solid state LED lamps if base matches the socket and shape will fit the light kit. Note: If using this type of lamp, check bulb instruction for using on a dimmer control.

You can only use standard type bulbs that match the rating of the light kit. In other words, if your light kit is rated for incandescent bulbs and you choose to use compact fluorescents, your light will only operate when the dimmer is on the highest (full power) setting. Generally, fluorescent lamps are not made to dim and will flicker when they are not receiving full power.

Cleaning motor housing.

• Always turn the power off to fan before cleaning.
• WARNING: Never use citrus type cleaners on plastic fan parts!
• When cleaning motor housing do not spray it. Instead, a moist rag should be used.
• Use only mild detergent when cleaning motor housing.
• Never use steel wool or scrubbing pads on surface finish.
• The fan's finish can be damaged.

Cleaning fan blades.

• When cleaning fan blades, do not spray blades. Instead, a moist rag should be used.
• Dry blades as soon as possible to avoid blades warping.
• If cleaning bamboo type blades, a vacuum cleaner can be used along with a very soft brush.
• Silk blades can be spray cleaned with a very mild detergent but should not be wetted unless all other means will not work.
  -Once blades are wetted you risk loosing the pattern form.

Cleaning light kits.

Glass globes should be removed from fixture and washed by hand with mild detergent.

WARNING: If the light kit has halogen bulbs, do not touch the glass of the bulb. If contact is made, be sure to clean the glass with a paper towel only!