ApprenticeMedium risk

Rangehood fan or light not working

A rangehood's fan won't run or its light is out — could be the supply, switches, motor, or (for ducted units) the controls.

Start fault-finding

Safety first

Isolate before working. Rangehoods are usually a plug-in or fixed appliance; grease build-up is a fire/cleanliness consideration.

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. 1

    No supply / not switched on at the GPO

    Most likely

    Plugged-in units may be off at a concealed GPO or that outlet is dead.

  2. 2

    Faulty fan switch or speed control

    #2

    The fan/speed switch has failed for the fan, while the light may still work (or vice versa).

  3. 3

    Failed fan motor

    #3

    The motor has seized or failed (often grease-related).

  4. 4

    Failed lamp / light circuit

    Least likely

    The light globe or its switch has failed independently of the fan.

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.

Test 1 of 2
1

Confirm the unit has supply (its GPO on / circuit live) and which part is affected (fan, light, or both).

Expected reading

Supply present; the affected function identified.

If it passes

Powered — check the relevant switch/motor/lamp.

If it fails

No supply / GPO off — restore it.

Often leads toBathroom/laundry exhaust fan not workingCeiling fan not working
View all expected readings at once
1. Confirm the unit has supply (its GPO on / circuit live) and which part is affected (fan, light, or both).
Supply present; the affected function identified.
2. For the fan: check the fan/speed switch and that the motor isn't seized. For the light: check the lamp/switch.
Working switch and a free motor / good lamp.

Fault-finding flowchart

The same logic as a decision tree.

  1. 1
    start

    Rangehood not working

    → step 2
  2. 2
    decision

    Is the unit powered (GPO on / circuit live)?

    Yes→ step 3No→ step 4
  3. 3
    decision

    Does the affected part's switch/motor/lamp test healthy?

    Yes→ step 5No→ step 6
  4. 4
    result

    Restore supply / switch on the GPO.

  5. 5
    result

    Re-check the supply/connection to that part.

  6. 6
    result

    Faulty switch, seized motor, or failed lamp — rectify/replace.

Common mistakes apprentices make

  • Forgetting a plug-in rangehood is off at a hidden GPO.
  • Not separating a fan fault from a light fault.
  • Overlooking grease-seized motor bearings.
  • Assuming the whole unit when only the light is out.

When to stop & escalate

Fixed/hardwired rangehood work is licensed electrical; plug-in units are appliances. A failed motor often means a new unit.

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

Fans & ventilation

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.

4 causes2 test steps
ApprenticeMedium risk
Fans & ventilation

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.

4 causes3 test steps
QualifiedMedium risk
Lighting

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.

4 causes3 test steps
ApprenticeMedium risk