Bathroom Fan Not Working

What to Check When a Bathroom Fan is Not Working: Checklist to help discover the problem and solution to help get an exhaust fan working again.

How To Troubleshoot and Fix a Bathroom Exhaust Fan

[ad#block]Electrical Question: My bathroom fan is not working.

• Flip the switch nothing works. Replaced the fan with a new unit. Still doesn’t work.
• Wiring looks OK as far as I can tell, nothing seems loose or disconnected.
• Not sure where to proceed from here. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Pat.

This electrical wiring question came from: Patrick, a Homeowner from Edmonton-AB Canada

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Patrick.

Preparation

• Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate.
• Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, a non-conductive ladder and a Voltage Tester.
• Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools and the access to the exhaust fan.
• Precaution: Identify the exhaust fan circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.

What to Check When a Bathroom Fan is Not Working

Checklist to help discover the problem and solution to help get a exhaust fan working again.

• Circuit Breaker
  • Make sure it is not tripped off. If so reset the circuit breaker.
• The Switch
  • Is the fan switch working, does voltage go in and back out of the switch, if not the switch needs to be replaced.
• Exhaust Fan
  • Does the fan motor spin freely. Due to the air passageway the fan motor assembly can get very dirty and require cleaning.
• Lubricating the Exhaust Fan Motor
  • A few drops of light machine oil at each end of the motor shaft may be helpful as well.

More about Bathroom Exhaust Fans

• Bathroom Electrical Wiring
• Light Switch Wiring
• Wiring Diagrams
• How to Install Bathroom Electrical Wiring

Bathroom Electrical Wiring
Fully Explained Photos and Wiring Diagrams for Bathroom Electrical Wiring with Code Requirements for most new or remodel projects.

For more information about Bath Exhaust Fan
Bath Exhaust Fan

Bathroom Exhaust Fan
Answers to all of your questions about installing a bath exhaust fan and your bathroom exhaust fan replacement project.

How to use Electrical Testers

Home electrical wiring testers are the sure way to identify electrical circuits and help prevent the possibility of accidental electrical shock. These testers are essential when troubleshooting a faulty circuit as well.

Troubleshooting Electrical Wiring

Licensed Electrician Shows How To Troubleshoot Electrical Wiring Problems with Wiring Diagrams, Photos, Questions and Answers.

The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring: » You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! « Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book Great for any Home Wiring Project. Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring Perfect for Homeowners, Students, Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians Includes: Wiring GFCI Outlets Wiring Home Electric Circuits 120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits Wiring Light Switches Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring ....and much more. Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring with my Online Video Course: Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example

Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires! The Non-Contact Electrical Tester This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use. The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring! The Plug-In Outlet Tester This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring. It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use. Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire! The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires. This handy tool has multiple uses: The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation. The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.. The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.

More articles about Bathroom Fan, Electrical Wiring and Home Electrical Wiring:
« Previous	Next »
Electrical Wiring for a Garage Panel	Common Problems with Light Fixture Wiring and How to Repair Them