Fan Not Working? Common Causes and How to Fix It

When a fan, a mechanical device that moves air to cool or ventilate a space. Also known as extractor fan, it plays a quiet but essential role in keeping your home comfortable and healthy. stops spinning, it’s not just an annoyance—it can make your bathroom moldy, your kitchen smelly, or your bedroom unbearable. Fans aren’t complicated, but when they fail, it’s often because of one of a few simple things: a blown fuse, a seized motor, a loose wire, or a faulty switch. Most of the time, you don’t need to replace the whole unit. You just need to know where to look.

There are different kinds of fans, and each has its own weak points. A ceiling fan, a motor-driven fan mounted on the ceiling to circulate air in a room. might not turn because the pull chain broke or the capacitor died. An extractor fan, a fan installed in bathrooms or kitchens to remove moisture and odors. often stops because dust clogged the blades or the motor overheated from running too long. Kitchen extractor fans in particular get coated in grease over time, which slows them down until they quit entirely. And if your fan hums but doesn’t spin? That’s usually a sign the motor is struggling—or already dead.

You don’t need to be an electrician to check the basics. Start by flipping the circuit breaker. If the fan’s on its own switch, test that. Unplug it or turn off the power, then take off the cover and look for dust, broken wires, or burnt spots. A little cleaning can bring a dead fan back to life. If it still won’t turn, the motor or capacitor might need replacing—parts that cost under £30 but require a bit of care to install. If you’re not comfortable with wiring, call a pro. But don’t rush to replace the whole unit. Most fans last 10–15 years, and a $20 fix can save you $200.

The posts below cover real fixes people have used—from cleaning a sticky extractor fan in a Bridgewater bathroom to replacing a capacitor in a noisy ceiling fan. You’ll find step-by-step checks for different fan types, safety tips for handling wiring, and when it’s smarter to replace than repair. No fluff. No guesswork. Just what actually works when your fan stops working.