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Started By
Message
Ceiling fan blades quit spinning
Posted on 8/6/26 at 4:27 pm
Posted on 8/6/26 at 4:27 pm
I bought two identical fans several years ago, one for my boys bedroom and another for my home office. They run pretty much all the time from spring to fall, but one of them quit yesterday. Now normally I would blame things being broken in the house on my youngest since he's a little Tasmanian Devil at times, but I can't think of one single way he could damage a ceiling fan without visible evidence on his body.
I flip the switch on the wall, the light comes on, and for a split second it looks like the fan is trying to move. It will spin freely if I push on the blade, but will not start on its own or keep running after I spin it. I've pulled the chain several times through, and no matter what speed is selected there is no movement.
Any ideas on what repairs might be, or should I just buy a new fan? I haven't taken it down yet to look at wiring, so it could be something simple, but I just don't know yet. The fact that I can see a tiny bit of movement when I turn the switch on makes me thing none of the wiring is loose, but it could be.
I flip the switch on the wall, the light comes on, and for a split second it looks like the fan is trying to move. It will spin freely if I push on the blade, but will not start on its own or keep running after I spin it. I've pulled the chain several times through, and no matter what speed is selected there is no movement.
Any ideas on what repairs might be, or should I just buy a new fan? I haven't taken it down yet to look at wiring, so it could be something simple, but I just don't know yet. The fact that I can see a tiny bit of movement when I turn the switch on makes me thing none of the wiring is loose, but it could be.
6
Posted on 8/6/26 at 4:31 pm to TU Rob
Just had this issue w/ a 20 year old hunter. Some of the older fans need oil. Got some 3-in-1 for electronics (the blue bottle) and put in a slot dedicated for oil. worked like a charm. May be worth looking to see if your model needs/takes it.
Posted on 8/6/26 at 4:45 pm to Celtic Tiger
capacitor
Posted on 8/6/26 at 6:02 pm to TU Rob
I second needing to see if it requires oil.
Posted on 8/6/26 at 6:47 pm to Jmcc64
quote:
capacitor
This would be my first guess.
Unless it's a Hunter fan, it will not need oil (sealed bearings).
This post was edited on 8/6/26 at 6:52 pm
Posted on 8/6/26 at 6:50 pm to Jmcc64
quote:
capacitor
Just had a similar issue
Posted on 8/6/26 at 7:07 pm to Unobtanium
Hunter fans can run forever even if you don’t oil them. Got them in my camp and they are 47 years old and I can’t tell you the last time they got oil. Not that it’s the right thing to do but they can run a long time no oil.
Had two hunters in my new house that I had to replace capacitors. Thought it was out the box but I had an electrical issue when I built.
Had two hunters in my new house that I had to replace capacitors. Thought it was out the box but I had an electrical issue when I built.
Posted on 8/6/26 at 9:46 pm to TU Rob
Don’t want to insult your intelligence, but mine has a little knob on the side that lets you vary the speed. Have you checked to see if that knob is not turned all the way down?
Posted on 8/7/26 at 8:56 am to Spankum
quote:
Don’t want to insult your intelligence, but mine has a little knob on the side that lets you vary the speed. Have you checked to see if that knob is not turned all the way down?
This was just a cheaper fan I got to put in my sons bedroom. There isn't a knob, just the old pull chain with 3 different speed settings. The only switch on the side is the slider that selects the direction the blades spin. I flipped that back and forth as well, and neither way is working. Going to take it down tonight and check for a capacitor.
Posted on 8/7/26 at 12:50 pm to TU Rob
quote:
Going to take it down tonight and check for a capacitor.
If I was going through the trouble to take it down, I would replace it. But let me know if the capacitor fixes it!
Posted on 8/8/26 at 5:53 pm to Celtic Tiger
I have never had a fan fail, ever.
Posted on 8/8/26 at 9:32 pm to oldskule
It's kind of amazing how electric ceiling fans just keep going.
Posted on 8/9/26 at 5:48 pm to TU Rob
Spin it by hand with the switch on, and see if it can keep going on its own. If it can't, it's definitely not lubrication issue. Got an amp meter?
Posted on 8/9/26 at 6:50 pm to dragginass
I just built a new home and I have a fan in my living room that doesn’t spin that fast. I always ghink that the fan is on low but it’s at the highest speed. Not sure why that’s so. Brand new fan!
Posted on 8/10/26 at 10:17 am to oldskule
quote:
I have never had a fan fail, ever.
I've got 2 that are on 24/7 on lowest speed that have slowed considerably (one almost to a crawl). the internet says it's the capacitor. have yet to change it out, though.
Posted on 8/10/26 at 10:45 am to TU Rob
Make sure you come back with the resolution. Helps people to know what it was.
Posted on 8/10/26 at 12:47 pm to TU Rob
In the final stages of replacing five ceiling fans in my house. Got tired of wobbly blades and light fixtures that require incandescent bulbs that the entire Earth is banning.
Learned DC is the way to go, as the AC fans hum loudly at lower speeds.
Downside is that if the LED light fixture dies, you can't just replace it as it's integral to the motor.
Pitch of the blades is also very important.
Although they were pricey with the required wall switches to go along with the supplied remotes, we're pretty happy with them.
Learned DC is the way to go, as the AC fans hum loudly at lower speeds.
Downside is that if the LED light fixture dies, you can't just replace it as it's integral to the motor.
Pitch of the blades is also very important.
Although they were pricey with the required wall switches to go along with the supplied remotes, we're pretty happy with them.
Posted on 8/10/26 at 1:22 pm to oldskule
You got outdoor fans? If so, let me know what you got because I've got two that need replacing. Blades are sagged over like they're indoor use fans. They were here when we moved in.
Posted on 8/10/26 at 1:53 pm to WhiskeyThrottle
I’ve got Hunter outdoor.
Running 24/7 except in winter. Going on at least 10+ years.
Running 24/7 except in winter. Going on at least 10+ years.
Posted on 8/11/26 at 8:10 pm to UptownJoeBrown
quote:
Make sure you come back with the resolution. Helps people to know what it was.
It was the capacitor. Sorry I was moving my oldest into college this weekend. Didn’t get a chance to replace it until we got back into town.
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