A fan not working usually shows itself in one of three ways: it is completely dead, it hums but will not turn, or it turns slowly and wobbles. A dead fan points to the supply, the switch or the regulator. A hum with no turn, or a fan that needs a push, points strongly to a weak capacitor. A wobble points to loose blades or a bent blade.
This page covers ordinary ceiling fans, BLDC fans with a remote, inverter backed fans and exhaust fans. You can safely check the switch, the remote batteries and the dust. Anything that means opening the fan body, touching wires or changing a capacitor is for a qualified electrician, since the work is on mains power and usually at height.
Common causes
1Power or MCB problem
How to tellFan is dead and other things on the same circuit are also off
What fixes itCheck the MCB and switch; reset a tripped one once only
2Faulty regulator or switch
How to tellLight works, fan does not, or speed does not change
What fixes itElectrician replaces the regulator or switch
3Weak or failed capacitor
How to tellFan hums and turns slowly, or starts only after a push
What fixes itElectrician tests and replaces the capacitor
4Dust, dry bearings or loose blades
How to tellNoise, wobble, slow turning, worse after months without cleaning
What fixes itClean the blades with power off; electrician for bearings
5Remote battery or pairing problem (remote fans)
How to tellThe fan runs from the wall switch, not from the remote
What fixes itReplace the batteries; repeat the pairing as in the manual
6Burnt motor winding or loose wire
How to tellBurning smell, tripping, no hum at all, or occasional cut offs
What fixes itSwitch off and call an electrician; motor repair or replacement
How to fix it, step by step
Test the supply with another appliance
Plug a lamp or charger into a nearby socket or check the room light. If the whole room is off, look at the MCB at the board. A tripped MCB needs to be reset only once. If it trips again, leave it.
Try the wall switch and the regulator
Turn the regulator to full speed. If the light on the same switch board works but the fan does not, the regulator or fan wiring is the suspect. A knob that clicks but does nothing suggests a worn regulator.
Change the remote batteries
For a remote controlled fan, fit fresh batteries in the remote. Make sure the fan is switched on at the wall, because the remote cannot run a fan that is switched off. If the wall switch works, the remote or its pairing is the issue.
Repeat the pairing steps from the manual
Remote fans and BLDC fans usually need to be paired again after a power cut or a battery change. The method differs by model, so follow your manual instead of guessing button combinations.
Switch off power fully and wait
Turn the fan off at the wall and the MCB for a few minutes, then restore. This clears a glitch in a BLDC controller and helps tell a real fault from a hiccup.
Clean blades and check for wobble
With the fan fully off and still, and a stable ladder or stool with someone holding it, wipe dust from the blades. Look for blades that droop or screws that are loose. Do not tighten or open the motor housing yourself.
Test the fan with the inverter or the mains
If the fan runs on mains but not on an inverter, or the reverse, the supply is the issue, not the fan. See home inverter not working.
Call an electrician
If the fan hums, smells burnt, will not turn after the checks, or the MCB trips, book an electrician. Do not spin the blades by hand while it is powered.
Ceiling fan not working but has power
When the fan gets power but does not turn, the usual order of suspects is: the capacitor, the regulator, the wiring joint and then the motor. A fan that hums and turns only when pushed has a failing capacitor. A fan that is completely silent may have a loose connection or an open regulator. A capacitor change is a small job for a skilled electrician, but the fan must be fully switched off at the supply and the work done safely.
Do not touch the wires or open the motor housing yourself. Fans run on mains power and are often fitted high up. If a capacitor was recently changed and the fan still does not work, the wrong value may have been fitted, or the fault may be elsewhere, so ask the electrician to recheck.
BLDC and remote fans
BLDC fans use a small electronic controller and a remote. If the remote does nothing, check batteries, pairing and the wall switch. If the fan stops after a power cut, switch off for a few minutes and try again. Some models show a fault with light blinks, but the pattern is specific to the model, so check your manual. A BLDC fan that has a blinking light and does not move needs the maker's authorised service, since the controller is not a home repair.
The fan was fine, then a power cut happened, and now the remote does nothing. The wall switch turns the fan on at the old speed. Repeat the pairing from the booklet before you blame the fan itself.
Exhaust fan and radiator fan not working
| Fan | Usual cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen exhaust fan | Grease on the blades, worn motor or capacitor | Power off and clean the cover; electrician if it still hums |
| Bathroom exhaust fan | Dust, damp or a failed motor | Check the switch and clean the cover |
| Inverter fan | Inverter supply or battery issue | Test the fan on mains power |
| Radiator fan in a car | Fuse, relay or sensor | Have a garage test it; overheating risk |
When to repair and when to replace
A switch, regulator or capacitor repair is small. A motor rewind or a new BLDC controller costs more, and the price depends on the fan type, the age and the labour. If the fan is very old and noisy, replacing it may be a better use of money. For other home appliances, see AC not working or browse the AC and appliance hub.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my ceiling fan not working but has power?
The most common causes are a weak capacitor, a faulty regulator or a loose joint. A hum without turning points to the capacitor. Call an electrician to test it safely.
Why does my fan hum but not spin?
A failing capacitor is the usual reason. The motor gets power but lacks the push to start. Dry bearings or a jammed blade can also cause it. Switch off and have it checked.
Why is my BLDC fan not working with the remote?
Fit fresh remote batteries, confirm the wall switch is on and repeat the pairing from the manual. A fan that still ignores the remote may have a faulty receiver or controller.
Why is my fan not working on the inverter?
The inverter may be overloaded, low on battery or failing. Test the fan on mains. If it works there, the inverter side is the problem.
Is it safe to repair a fan at home?
Cleaning dust with the power off is fine. Opening the fan, changing a capacitor or touching wires should be left to an electrician.