Wireman · Ceiling fan won’t run, wobbles or remote fails: troubleshooting for electricians · 2023 NEC ·

Ceiling fan won’t run, wobbles or remote fails

Dead fan, hum or missing speeds, a wobble, or a remote that quit. Supply, receiver, capacitor, switch or mounting.

Before you start

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How it works

Most AC ceiling fans use a capacitor motor. The pull-chain or wall speed control switches different capacitor sections into the circuit to set the speed, so a weak capacitor causes slow speeds, a hum or missing speeds. A remote receiver in the canopy switches the motor and light from a radio signal. DC-motor fans have an electronic control that is the drive, so they can’t be run without it. The box has to be listed for fan support, because a fan is a moving, vibrating load hung from it.

Step by stepFull flowchart

Every question and answer in this guide. Tap “Step by step” to walk through it.

What’s wrong with the fan?
- Won’t run at allTest: Measure the supply at the canopyExpect: About 120 V on both.
  - About 120 VWhat’s in the canopy?
    - A receiver, AC motor fanTest: Bypass the receiver to test the motor
      - Yes, it runsA failed remote receiver
      - No, still deadTest: Test the speed switchExpect: Each position connects common to the outputs shown on the switch diagram, and off connects nothing.
        A position doesn’t connect, or the chain spins freelyA failed pull-chain speed switch
        Switch tests goodA failed fan motor
    - No receiver, pull-chain fanTest: Test the speed switchExpect: Each position connects common to the outputs shown on the switch diagram, and off connects nothing.
      - A position doesn’t connect, or the chain spins freelyA failed pull-chain speed switch
      - Switch tests goodA failed fan motor
    - DC motor fanA DC fan with power at the canopy
  - About 0 VNo power reaching the fan
- Hums, runs slow or is missing speedsTest: Measure the fan capacitorExpect: Each section close to its marked value, within the tolerance printed on the case.
  - A section reads low or openA weak or failed fan capacitor
  - Every section is close to its marked valueTest: Test the speed switchExpect: Each position connects common to the outputs shown on the switch diagram, and off connects nothing.
    - A position doesn’t connect, or the chain spins freelyA failed pull-chain speed switch
    - Switch tests goodA failed fan motor
- Hums, and it’s on a light dimmerA light dimmer controlling the fan motor
- WobblesTest: Check the box and mounting
  - Box isn’t rated for a fan, or the box movesBox not rated or not secure for a fan
  - Loose screws, downrod or bent blade ironLoose or bent mounting hardware
  - Everything is tight and trueBlade imbalance
- Remote or wall control doesn’t workDid the remote ever work with this fan?
  - New install, new remote or just changed batteriesRemote and receiver not paired
  - Worked before, then quitTest: Measure the supply at the canopyExpect: About 120 V on both.
    - About 120 VWhat’s in the canopy?
      - A receiver, AC motor fanTest: Bypass the receiver to test the motor
        Yes, it runsA failed remote receiver
        No, still deadTest: Test the speed switchExpect: Each position connects common to the outputs shown on the switch diagram, and off connects nothing.
        A position doesn’t connect, or the chain spins freelyA failed pull-chain speed switch
        Switch tests goodA failed fan motor
      - No receiver, pull-chain fanTest: Test the speed switchExpect: Each position connects common to the outputs shown on the switch diagram, and off connects nothing.
        A position doesn’t connect, or the chain spins freelyA failed pull-chain speed switch
        Switch tests goodA failed fan motor
      - DC motor fanA DC fan with power at the canopy
    - About 0 VNo power reaching the fan