Range Hood fan not working but light is

Common reasons your Range Hood fan not working but light is

The most common reasons your range hood fan is not working but the light is working are a faulty fan switch, bad fan motor or a defective PCB (printed circuit board).

  • 39%

    39% of the time it's the Fan Switch

  • 28%

    28% of the time it's the Fan Motor

  • 13%

    13% of the time it's the PCB

  • 20%

    20% of the time it's the Something else

Schedule your range hood repair now!

We can help! Our service technicians have repaired over 40,000 range hoods. We can fix yours no matter where you bought it.

Call(646) 440-2692 or schedule online now.
Chat

Most common repairs needed to fix a range hood

Fan Switch Replacement

When the range hood fan is not working but the light is working, a bad fan switch may be causing the problem. The fan switch starts the fan motor and controls the fan speed. If the fan switch no longer activates the fan motor, an internal electrical contact may be broken. A service technician will check for continuity through the fan switch wire harness terminals to see whether the fan switch is allowing current to flow to the fan motor when you turn the fan switch on. The technician will replace the fan switch if it’s broken. Schedule range hood repair service if you suspect that the range hood fan switch is broken.

Fan Motor Replacement

If the fan is not working but the light is working on your range hood, a broken fan motor could be the cause of the problem. The fan motor spins the fan blade to draw air through the range hood vent and exhaust the air to the outside of your home. If the fan motor breaks or wears out, the motor won't turn the blade to exhaust air out of your kitchen. A service technician will check the resistance through the windings of the fan motor to determine whether the fan motor is bad. The technician will replace the range hood fan motor if it’s broken. Schedule range hood repair service if you think that the fan motor is bad.

PCB Replacement

If your range hood has electronic controls and the fan is not working even though the lights work, the PCB could be defective. This electronic control board gets input from the user interface control and operates the exhaust fan and cooktop lights in the range hood. When the PCB won’t send current to the fan after getting the signal from the user interface control, an internal electrical relay could be broken or the internal logic of the control board could be corrupted. Schedule range hood repair service when you suspect that a defective PCB is preventing the fan from working even though the lights work properly on your range hood.

What to expect when you experience a range hood fan not working but the light is working

How is the range hood fan not working even though the light works problem addressed?

Resolving most fan not working problems when the light works usually involves replacing a faulty fan switch, bad fan motor or defective PCB, but that's not always the case. Other failures such as bad wiring connectors or wiring failures can also prevent the fan from running. Thorough troubleshooting and an accurate diagnosis are crucial to understanding the extent of repair. A service technician typically needs to diagnose and repair a fan problem in the range hood.

Tips from Sears Home Services for a range hood fan that is not working but lights work

When the range hood fan is not working even though lights work, there could be various underlying reasons. Wiring connections and components in the fan circuit all need to be checked. To avoid replacing unneeded parts, we recommend scheduling range hood repair with a local Sears Home Services professional who can perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our skilled technicians specialize in identifying various types of range hood malfunctions.

What to watch out for with a range hood fan not working even though lights work diagnosis

Diagnosing appliances today without proper knowledge and training can be challenging. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your range hood problem can be challenging. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult. We recommend that you have a Sears Home Services technician diagnose and repair a problem with your range hood fan when it doesn’t run even though the lights work.

0

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my range hood fan not working but the light is on?
This could be caused by a malfunctioning motor, faulty fan switch, or a blown fuse.
How do I test the fan motor?
Use a multimeter to check for continuity in the motor. If it’s not continuous, the motor needs to be replaced.
Could a faulty fan switch cause this issue?
Yes, if the fan switch is defective, it might allow the light to turn on but prevent the fan from operating.
What should I do if the motor and switch appear fine?
Inspect the wiring for any loose or broken connections that might be interrupting the fan’s operation.

Repair Range Hood Resources

What To Do When Your Range Hood Isn’t Working

When your range hood malfunctions, it can disrupt your kitchen's functionality and cause concern.

Get Your Range Hood Ready for the Holidays

Learn how to clean a range hood filter and improve the air quality in your kitchen. Follow our step-by-step guide today!

Title image for blog article "How Does a Ductless Range Hood Work?"

Learn how a ductless range hood works at Sears Home Services.

Title image for blog article "How to Clean Range Hood Grease."

Get expert tips on how to clean range hood grease. Find out how to help keep grease from building up again.

Glossary Terms

A ductless range hood, also known as a recirculating hood, filters and recirculates air in the kitchen, removing smoke, heat, and cooking odors without venting outdoors.

A range hood is a kitchen appliance installed over the stove or cooktop, designed to remove smoke, odors, heat, and airborne grease by venting them outside or filtering and recirculating the air.

A range hood filter is a component of a kitchen exhaust system designed to trap grease, smoke, and other airborne particles during cooking. This improves air quality and protects kitchen surfaces.

A range hood liner is a custom-fit enclosure designed to house a range hood's interior mechanisms, such as the fan and filter, providing a seamless integration into kitchen cabinetry or custom hoods for both aesthetic appeal and functionality.

Common range hood symptoms to look out for

Range hood fan not working but light is? Find solutions & quick repairs!
Chat