Range hood fan or lights not working
Start with what still works.
Not urgent A dead hood fan is mainly a comfort and grease issue, but a fan that grinds, smells hot or smokes should be switched off until it is looked at.
What this symptom usually means
Start with what still works. GE's guidance splits the problem in two. If neither the lights nor the fan come on, the hood may have no power: a tripped breaker, or on a new installation an incorrect electrical connection, which GE says is a job for the installer or an electrician. If the lights work but the blower does not, the hood has power, and GE points to a loose blower connector; a failed motor, a motor capacitor or the speed switch are other possibilities a technician checks. Whirlpool's first steps for a dead fan are to check the controls are set as the manual describes and to switch the breaker off for a minute and on again.
If the fan runs but the lights do not, Whirlpool says the lights should work whenever the fan does, so the bulb or LED module is one possibility. Broan-NuTone suggests testing the bulb in another socket. Some hood lights are owner-replaceable and some are not: Whirlpool says to check the manual, and Samsung says its hood lights need a technician or installer. Noise is its own pattern. Whirlpool lists loose cover fasteners, loose internal parts and worn motor bearings, and says a worn motor must be replaced, not lubricated. Broan-NuTone adds a fan blade not seated properly on the motor shaft, and ducting that is too small for the hood, which makes it loud. If the hood runs but does not clear the air, see the poor-extraction guide.
Checks you can do yourself
- Controls and modeCheck the controls are set as your manual describes. Some hoods have timer, delay-off or automatic modes that change what the buttons do (Whirlpool).
- Breaker resetSwitch the hood's breaker off for one minute and back on, then try again (Whirlpool). If the breaker trips again, leave it off and book.
- What still works?Note whether the lights work, the fan works, or neither, and which speeds respond. That tells the technician whether to look at power, the blower or the control.
- BulbIf the fan runs and the lights do not, check the manual. If the bulb is owner-replaceable, switch the hood off, let the bulb cool, and try it in another socket (Broan-NuTone). If the lights are LED modules or the manual says service, book.
- Grease filtersTake the grease filters out and wash them, as your manual describes. Clogged filters make the fan work harder and noisier; see the extraction guide for more.
- Visible fastenersIf the hood rattles, check the screws you can see that hold the outer cover or panels in place and snug any that are loose (Whirlpool). Do not remove covers that expose the motor or wiring.
- New installationIf the hood has never worked since it was installed, call the installer first. GE and Samsung both point new installations back to the installer.
Nothing above involves gas, wiring, refrigerant or removing panels.
What you notice, and what it can point to
Listed in no particular order. They help you describe the problem; only an inspection confirms the fault.
Nothing works: no lights, no fan
Could point to: Tripped breaker, or a connection fault on a new install (GE)
Next step: Reset the breaker for a minute; call the installer if it is new; book if it worked before
Lights work, fan does not
Could point to: Loose blower connector (GE), failed motor, capacitor or switch
Next step: Book; do not open the blower housing
Fan works, lights do not
Could point to: Bulb or LED module (Whirlpool, Broan-NuTone)
Next step: Replace the bulb if the manual allows; otherwise book
Only some speeds work
Could point to: Speed switch or control board fault
Next step: Book, noting which speeds work
Rattle or vibration
Could point to: Loose cover fasteners or internal parts (Whirlpool), blade not seated (Broan-NuTone)
Next step: Snug visible screws; book if it continues
Grinding, roaring or a hot smell
Could point to: Worn motor bearings (Whirlpool) or undersized ducting (Broan-NuTone)
Next step: Switch it off and book; see the extraction guide for duct issues
How it differs by design
Under-cabinet, wall chimney and island hoods. The blower may sit inside the hood body behind the grease filters. Lights and controls are on the hood itself. The checks above apply directly.
Inserts and liners. A hood insert built into a custom canopy has the same parts but tighter access; repairs may need the canopy's filters and trim removed first.
Over-the-range microwaves. The vent fan and cooktop lights are part of the microwave, and it is serviced as a microwave, not as a hood.
Hard-wired versus plug-in. Some hoods are wired into a junction box with no plug, so the breaker is the only way to cut power. GE's advice for a hood that has never powered up is to have the installer or an electrician check the connection. RepairWell disconnects and reconnects an existing hard-wired hood like-for-like on the same circuit; new circuits go to a licensed electrician.
Ducted versus recirculating. A fan that runs but does not move air, or roars, may be a duct problem rather than a fan fault. Broan-NuTone says a loud hood can come from ducting that is too small for the model.
What our technician checks
These need panels off, live electrical tests or a licensed trade, so they are left to the technician:
- Removing the blower, motor, control panel or wiring cover
- Any electrical test or wiring repair on the hood
- Disconnecting or reconnecting a hard-wired hood at the junction box
- New circuits or changes to the electrical panel, which go to a licensed electrician
- Roof or wall-cap work and duct changes inside walls or the attic
Waived when you go ahead with the repair. You get the cause, the price and our repair-or-replace verdict in writing before any work.
Repairs a technician may recommend
After inspection, not from the symptom alone.
Blower motor replacement
When the motor is seized, slow, hot or noisy, or its bearings are worn. Whirlpool says a worn motor is replaced, not lubricated.
Blower connection repair
When the blower's plug or wiring has come loose or burned, the case GE describes where the lights work but the fan does not.
Speed switch or control board replacement
When only some speeds work, the fan runs at one speed regardless of setting, or the controls do not respond.
Motor capacitor replacement
On hoods whose motor uses a run capacitor, when the motor hums but will not start or turns slowly.
Fan blade or blower wheel reseating or replacement
When the blade is loose or not seated on the shaft (Broan-NuTone), or the wheel is damaged or out of balance.
Light socket, LED module or transformer repair
When a new bulb does not fix the lights, or the lights are not owner-replaceable.
Damper and duct connection repair
When a rattle or roar comes from a loose damper or undersized duct at the hood; ductwork beyond the hood may be an HVAC or renovation job.
Brands we see with this problem
Codes, parts and access differ by brand; the brand pages cover where the model label is and what to expect.
Cost, and whether to fix it
What the repair costs depends on the part, the labour and whether a second visit is needed for an ordered part; the written finding gives the total before any work. Our guides on what drives repair costs and repair versus replacement explain how to weigh it.
When to book
Book when the fan or lights stay dead after the breaker reset and a bulb check, when only some speeds work, when the hood grinds, rattles from inside or smells hot, or when the breaker trips. Tell us the hood type (under-cabinet, wall chimney, island or insert), the brand and model, what works and what does not, and whether it is ducted outside or recirculating. If your hood is an over-the-range microwave, it is serviced as a microwave; see microwave not working. Our technician disconnects and reconnects an existing hard-wired hood at the junction box; a new circuit is work for a licensed electrician. The diagnostic is $89 (+tax), waived if you go ahead, with a written finding and quote before any work. See range hood repair, and range hood not extracting well if the fan runs but the air does not clear.
We handle this across Ottawa and Gatineau
Related problems
Range hood fan or lights not working: questions
The lights work but the fan does not. What does that mean?
The hood has power, so the problem is on the blower side. GE lists a loose blower connector as one cause; a failed motor, capacitor or speed switch are others. A technician checks with the power off.
Neither the lights nor the fan work.
Check the breaker and reset it. GE says that if the breaker is fine, the electrical connection may be at fault and the installer or an electrician should check it. If the hood worked before, book us.
Can I change the hood light myself?
Sometimes. Whirlpool says some bulbs are owner-replaceable and others need service, so check your manual. Samsung says its hood lights are replaced by a technician or installer.
My hood has become much louder.
Whirlpool lists loose fasteners, loose parts and worn motor bearings. Broan-NuTone adds a fan blade not seated correctly and ducting that is too small. Clean the filters and check visible screws; if it still roars or grinds, book.
Can the motor just be oiled?
Whirlpool says not to lubricate or repair a hood motor that is not working properly; it must be replaced.
Only the high speed works. Is it the motor?
Not necessarily. A speed switch or control board can fail on some speeds while the motor is fine. The technician tests which it is before quoting.
Sources
- Whirlpool Product Help: Fan not working, vent hood
- Whirlpool Product Help: Lights not working, vent hood
- Whirlpool Product Help: Noise or rattle, vent hood
- GE Appliances: Vent hood, does not work
- Broan-NuTone: Light is not working (range hoods)
- Broan-NuTone: Motor makes noise (range hoods)
- Broan-NuTone: The range hood is loud
- Samsung USA: Samsung range hood will not turn on
Sources checked 2026-09-24.
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- $89 diagnosticWaived when you go ahead with the repair
- Written finding on every visitCause, price and our repair-or-replace verdict
- 90-day warrantyOn labour and the parts we install