Ceiling fan is one of the most useful electrical appliances in our homes and workplaces and also often the most overlooked. Since it’s there and all you have to do is turn it on, we often take it for granted and may not pay much attention to its maintenance and cleaning. Due to this and due to some other reasons, ceiling fans may start showing signs of defect and faults. If you are facing the problem of ceiling fan not spinning then before resolving the issue, you must know the possible causes. The following are some causes and respective solutions for a ceiling fan that wont spin.
1. Check the switch
The first thing that you need to do is to make sure the ceiling fan is receiving power from the switch. The best way to do so is by first turning off the fan from the power and then removing the cover of the switch plate. Now unscrew the screws which mount the switch to the electrical unit or box. Take a voltage tester to check the terminals of the switch on sides to ensure that they are not charged. If not, pull out the switch from the box gently.
Here’s some Multi-purpose Multimeters for testing Voltage :-
- AstroAI Digital Multimeter with Ohm Volt Amp
- KAIWEETS Digital Clamp Meter T-RMS 6000 Counts
- Klein Tools 69149 Multimeter Test Kit
Now the next step is to unscrew the wires from the two terminals of the switch and straighten their ends using pliers. Now twist the bare ends together and put a wire nut on with a screw. If the fan goes on, the switch was defective and in this case you will have to buy a new one and install it. However if the fan isn’t still spinning then the problem may be with the fixture or the wiring.
Here are some Ceiling Fan Speed Switches you can find on Amazon:-
- DELIXI White 3 Speed Ceiling Fan Wall Speed Control
- Westinghouse Lighting Ceiling Fan Wall Control
- Leviton Decora Illumatech Quiet Fan Speed Control
- Lutron Electronics Fully Variable 5 Speed Fan Control
Image Credits: Wikipedia
2. Check the circuit breaker
Another possible cause for ceiling fan not spinning could be a defective circuit breaker. You will have to check the circuit breaker to confirm that the power is on. If the circuit breaker is not working properly or is tripped, then you will have to reset the breaker. However if there are any blown fuses then in that case you will have to replace the damaged fuses.
3. Other things to check
Besides these, some other things you can check to confirm why the ceiling fan is not spinning include power to the breaker from your wall control, plug connection in switch housing and all the possible wire connections should be properly assembled and secured with wire nuts.
Now that you know the possible causes for ceiling fan not spinning, you can check the exact reason either yourself or by calling for an electrician. In either case, you may have to replace a certain part that is the root cause of the issue. For any kind of ceiling fan installation or repair service, you can contact Mr Right and get the best services at your doorsteps.