Ceiling fan not working
A ceiling fan won't run (light may still work, or not) — pointing at the wall control/remote, the capacitor, the motor, or the supply.
Safety first
Isolate and prove dead before working at the fan or its controls. Working at height on a fan needs safe access.
Isolate, lock out / tag out, and prove dead before working unless a live test is specifically required, authorised, and carried out under proper supervision. Always follow local regulations, your site procedures, and the equipment manufacturer's documentation.
Full detail — causes, the why, and common mistakes.
Likely causes
Ranked from most to least likely.
- 1
Wall controller / remote fault or setting
Most likelyA faulty speed controller, dead remote battery, or wrong remote setting stops the fan.
- 2
Failed start/run capacitor
#2The capacitor that starts/runs the fan motor has failed — fan hums or won't start.
- 3
Seized or failed motor
#3The motor bearings have seized or the winding failed.
- 4
Supply / connection fault
Least likelyLost supply or a loose connection at the fan or controller.
Reports are saved on this device to reflect what you actually find.
Testing sequence
Work through one test at a time. Expected reading and what each result means.
Check the controller/remote (battery, setting) and whether the fan has supply.
Working controller/remote; supply present.
Controller and supply fine — suspect the capacitor or motor.
Dead remote/controller or no supply — rectify that first.
View all expected readings at once
Fault-finding flowchart
The same logic as a decision tree.
- 1start
Ceiling fan not working
→ step 2 - 2decision
Is the controller/remote working and supply present?
Yes→ step 3No→ step 4 - 3decision
Does it hum but not spin (capacitor)?
Yes→ step 5No→ step 6 - 4result
Rectify the controller/remote or restore supply.
- 5result
Failed capacitor — check/replace.
- 6decision
Does the motor turn freely with sound connections?
Yes→ step 7No→ step 8 - 7result
Re-check controller/supply path.
- 8result
Seized/failed motor or loose connection — rectify/replace.
Common mistakes apprentices make
- Forgetting a dead remote battery or wrong remote mode.
- Overlooking a failed capacitor when the fan just hums.
- Working at height without safe access/isolation.
- Assuming the motor before checking the controller.
When to stop & escalate
Fan and controller work is licensed electrical. A seized motor usually means a replacement fan.
If you're past your competence, authorisation, or the safe limits of the job — stop and hand it on. There's no fault worth getting hurt over.
Related faults
Ceiling fan noisy, wobbling, or running slow
A ceiling fan runs but wobbles, clicks/hums, or only runs slowly — usually balance/mounting, a tired capacitor, or controller issues.
Bathroom/laundry exhaust fan not working
An exhaust fan won't run, runs weakly, or keeps running — common causes are the switch/timer, a seized/dusty motor, or supply.
A single light not working
One light fitting is dead while the rest of the lights on the circuit work fine — points at the lamp, the fitting, or the switch for that point rather than the whole circuit.