How To Fix A Bathroom Fan: Top Repair Tips

If your bathroom fan suddenly stops while in use, you will immediately suspect that there is a problem. But do you need to shop for an entirely new unit because of this?

Here’s the good news—you may only need to do a little fixing to get it to work again. Here, we will give you a step-by-step guide and essential tips on how to fix bathroom fan.

Let’s get started.

Why Is My Bathroom Fan Not Working?

Let us briefly discuss the common causes of why your fan is not working and how to address each.

• Something might have tripped your circuit breaker. To address this, reset your circuit breaker.
• Test your fan’s switch with a voltage tester. If it tests busted, replace your switch.
• Your fan motor might be dirty or rusty. Clean the unit and lubricate the motor using machine oil.
• Your motor is malfunctioning and needs a replacement.
• Your exhaust duct might be clogged. To clean it, attach a rag at the end of a broom handle and use it to clean the duct. You may also use duct cleaning rods or a wet-dry vacuum.

You may also try to clean the grill, the blades, and the motor housing to get your fan working again.

However, if you have tried all the methods above, and your fan is still not working, you may need to buy a new motor.

Steps To Replace Your Fan Motor

So, how to fix a bathroom fan motor? You have several options. First, you may avail of the service of a professional to assess and fix it. Second, you may replace your old motor with a new one. New motors may have a similar cost to that of a new fan unit.

However, replacing a motor is easier and requires less time as you do not need to rip off the entire unit from your ceiling.

Feel free to do what is more convenient for you.

If you have decided to fix bathroom fan by installing a new motor, follow these steps:

1. Turn off the fan and its power source. Unplug the unit.
2. Remove your fan’s grill.
3. Clean away accumulated dust from the grill using a vacuum with brush attachment. This way, you can see your fan’s model number written on the grill.
4. Remove the motor from the plate. You can either pry it off on the side of the housing or unscrew it.
5. Before you can finally remove the motor, get the blower off the motor’s shaft. This step requires a little more effort because some blowers are screwed in place. Some that do not have screws need to be pried or pulled hard. If you have broken the shaft while doing this, you can replace it with a little cost.
6. Then, remove the motor.
7. At this stage, you can order a new motor for your fan. Make sure that it fits the specifications of your fan model and brand.
8. Install the new motor by reversing the removal process.

Conclusion

Installing a new motor may be the best option for how to fix bathroom fan. Do not hesitate to ask for assistance in doing this task. Buy the appropriate motor for your unit. Once you’ve installed it, give yourself a pat on the back. Your fan should be working like brand new.