Place the wires together and use plastic connectors to join them. From there — and with the fan unplugged! You may freely link If you still can’t make your floor fan work, replace the motor. To do this, remove the center cover of the fan (which often has the fan’s logo) and aim your lubricant nozzle to the inside. — you can remove the cord receptacle cover with a screwdriver or pliers, then remove the cord by untwisting the connecting wires. Copyright© If you’ve tried both of these steps but your fan still won’t work, try plugging your fan into a different outlet. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. If you’re having trouble diagnosing the problem, there may still be an easy fix for a repairman before you have to give up and buy a new model. You can even use a floor or table fan on a low setting to help circulate heat in the winter time — a particularly effective method for making a pellet or wood stove work harder in your home. Then put it on the floor. If your cord is plugged in but nothing happens when you turn on your fan, check to see that you have electricity running to the outlet. Suitable for workplaces, shops, garages and other commercial settings. Over time, vibrations from a fan motor can loosen a plug from an older outlet, so check this first. Turn the blades with your hand as … If there is a C-clip, pry it off first. When cleaning the exterior of the fan, use a soft cloth. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be How to Fix a Noisy Computer Fan. Step 2. To do this, open your breaker panel and look to see if the circuit breaker has been tripped. You know, many people claim that ceiling fans are much healthier than, say, an air conditioning unit. If cleaning your motor doesn’t help, look at the fan belt. With my Air King I was able to flip the blade assembly over to get the blades an extra 2 centimeters away from the motor. The fan should take 10 seconds to wind down to a stop if it is a 15-inch fan. You can figure out which component is causing the noise by unplugging the fridge and the motor of the condenser fan, then plugging the fridge back in. (Make sure your fan is unplugged before you do this — you don’t want it to accidentally turn on and give you a shock or set the blades in motion while your hand is inside!) You will have to use a … The repair may still be simple for a professional, and they’ll let you know if it will be more cost effective to repair or replace your fan at that point. Take a damp, soapy cloth and wipe down each blade to remove dust. Fill in all the cracks along the floor and outer walls of the basement with a cement epoxy filler, and then use a foaming installation product to fill around the doors and windows that are present. If your Lasko tower fan won't respond to your remote control, you may … When the fuse melts, it breaks the connection and cuts power to the fan. If you’ve tried all of these tips but still can’t get your fan working again, it’s time to call the fan manufacturer for help. Thanks for input. Well I, for one, remain unconvinced. Some were inexpensive, some much more expensive – apparently it didn’t make a difference – they stopped working. In the bathroom run the ceiling fan for several hours at a time (not continuously - they are not necessarily rated for that), and preferably (beware of pet or child risks) running a large (like 20-24") fan so it blows air into the room forcefully across the floor from the open doorway will dry out the flooring, commonly without visible damage unless a wood-based laminate or plank. It sounds simple, but your first step should be to make sure the cord is securely plugged in. Here are a few suggestions to try when your floor fan goes out. May 19, 2015 - how to fix a floor stand fan that won't spin - YouTube If they aren't, you will have to either replace the terminals, or if you can't replace … Website operating Please note, comments must be approved before they are published, An Interview with Thom Rider: Woodworking Expert, How did you get the idea to create your helpful YouTube videos? suggestions. Power can be disrupted by problems in the plug, cord or switch. However, if the plug, cord and switch are working, your problem is your motor. Clearing the motor of obstructions may help return your floor fan to its normal power. Certainly not. How to fix squeaky floors is a question many homeowners find themselves asking. I will try cleaning the blades and greasing the motor housing next time. If cleaning your motor doesn’t help, look at the fan belt. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". Most high-quality companies offer customer support to talk you through a DIY fan repair, help you order replacement parts or connect you with a local service shop to check out more complicated issues with parts like the run capacitor or motor shaft. Here's how to get it done—before your squeaky floors drive you nuts. Check for height variance of the blades and blade irons with a story board. Same problem - seized bearings, fixed with a bit of oil. It can be helpful to snap a photo of the way the cord is attached to the appliance so you can refer to it as you attach the new cord. Instead of replacing the entire base, a quick fix is to place a thick sound dampening rug or carpet under the fan. To do this, remove the center cover of the fan (which often has the fan’s logo) and aim your lubricant nozzle to the inside. If your fan still doesn’t work after you try it in a different outlet and check the fuse, carefully inspect the cord. If you hear a humming sound but the fan isn’t working, that’s a sign your fan is getting electricity. Grasp the blades firmly and lift slowly to remove them. Depending on the model of floor fan, it will either snap into place or else require screws to connect it to each of the other 2 parts. Your first step doesn’t have to be a trip to the home improvement center for a new fan. All readings should be drawing zero ohms. How to repair cracks between my driveway and garage floor? If the belt is damaged, contact the manufacturer for a replacement. Lay the fan down on a flat surface with the exposed face up. After removing all the dirt and dust, test the vent by turning it back ON. (Though you may want to investigate what caused the breaker to trip in the first place. Remove the shaft glaze with 'wet' sandpaper of 600 grit by holding the sandpaper in a loose wrap around the shaft and rotating the shaft. Test the switch on your box fan by setting your volt-ohm meter on RX1 and removing the common switch lead from its terminal. Once you’ve cleaned the fan as outlined in the previous step, try unscrewing the motor housing so you can see the electric motor parts. I’ve likely gone through 5 upright fans within the last 2-3 years, albeit they were running non-stop. Open the grill and examine the central motor for any damage. Lubricant needs to penetrate to the bearings, so, if you used grease, it will have to get quite warm before it gets in. We ordered from Amazon (serviced/sold by Amazon) as a Used (not refurbished) item in, supposedly, 'Very Good, packaging will be damaged' condition. Grasp the blades firmly and lift slowly to remove them. If you end up needing to replace your fan, consider upgrading your model for longevity on your next standing fan purchase. Call your local utility and check energystar.gov to see which models qualify for local rebates and potential federal tax credits. Use an ohm meter to verify that power is moving through. Turn the blades with your hand as you do to spread the lubricant around evenly. I have a house we purchased recently and the the poured concrete foundation... We have relatively new hardwood floors (oak). purchasing an inexpensive receptacle tester, paying special attention to the place where the blades connect to the, the central piece onto which the blades attach and spin. Use WD-40 to lubricate the gears and the clutch knob ( the central piece onto which the blades attach and spin ). Most of the time, all it takes to fix the odd squeak your ceiling fan makes is a wet rag. If you’re not sure which circuit controls which rooms, just check to see if any are out of place. Screws will be provided and you can simply screw them into the appropriate holes as will be diagrammed in the instructions. If you turn on your fan and the fan motor hums even though the fan blades won’t move, the cause may be that the gears are stuck. If it works, this is a sign that you have an electrical problem. Computer fans can get pretty noisy, but there are a few things you can do to reduce the din. Radon has to have a way to get into the basement, so filling in these weak spots will stop it from gaining access. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent If you follow these troubleshooting steps to make sure your electrical connections are good and that your fan is basically clean and well lubricated, you may be able to get it back up and running on your own. Never use gasoline, benzene, or thinner to clean the fan. Inside the fridge. Insert one of the probes into the terminal. Always unplug your Lasko fan when it is not in use. Here's how to quiet disruptive PC equipment. It’s also a good idea to seek out a fan designed with a long-lasting ball-bearing motor to avoid future breakdowns. Unscrew the junction box cover on the side of the fan housing and pull out the three wires. Examine each piece for any breakage or damage. If you notice that a breaker has been tripped, flip it back on and then try turning on your fan again. Open the grill and examine the central motor for any damage. Hairs and small objects can be pulled into the motor, damaging normal usability. Rinse out the soap and wipe up any suds with a clean, damp cloth. Check the blades and blade irons. Make sure the tooth on the fan support bracket is resting in the slot on the ball joint. I just assumed the motor was shot. If you’re using a very old fan, it could be drawing excess electricity and causing your breaker to trip. My fan was tested with the blades close to the motor as in picture 1, and as far from the motor as possible as in picture 2. Do not open your Lasko tower fan under any circumstances. Order online at Screwfix.com. Sometimes your fan blades can seize up if they are stuck on dirt and debris that builds up in the fan. All information is provided "AS IS." If your plug keeps falling out, you may want to replace the receptacle for a nice, tight fit. Is it frayed? Reason 1 = The fan blades are bent upwards and or downwards which causes the fan to be out of balance and therefore wobbles creating a rubbing noise. For cleaning it you will need to take the fan of the window. Many fans — especially large, industrial-strength ones — are equipped with a thermal fuse for safety. Test each terminal one at a time. This would also cause the entire system to shift while the fan’s blades spin. Depending on the problem, you may be able to fix your fan yourself, whether it’s a stand fan, ceiling fan or a box fan. You can test the flow of power to your outlet by purchasing an inexpensive receptacle tester. We ordered a Dyson Cool AM07 floor fan for my wife's office since it gets too much sun and the HVAC for her building isn't cutting it without freezing out the other half of the offices. John Heisz, having seen my video on fixing a fan, decided to fix his box fan. A broken fan motor can make your air conditioner useless and your ride miserable. Connect the electrical wires to the fan housing. Since heat rises, the temperature near the ceiling is greater than at floor level. The magnet will slide out of the motor . This might be all it takes to allow the moving parts to stop grinding against each other so your pedestal fan can get moving again. A great floor fan is an invaluable asset in your home. This is particularly true in houses with high ceilings or those with heating systems that do not circulate the air. Mastering simple fixes to your floor fans can help you avoid unnecessary repair bills and keep you cool no matter what time of year. If the fan still won't work, contact Lasko's customer service department at 800-233-0268 during regular business hours. Check the cord and the inside of your fan for this fuse. It allows you to circulate air and feel cooler when the temperatures rise, and you can often save money on your electricity bills when you use your fan instead of turning on your air conditioner on warm (but not yet stifling) days. We've already accumulated som... 5 Ways to Repair Your Damaged Window Fan... 5 Ways to Repair Your Damaged Window Fans. All rights reserved. Like the circuit breakers in your house, these fuses are designed to break the electrical connection when too much electricity causes your fan to overheat. Once you dust off the outside, remove the metal or plastic fan blade cover and clean dust from the blades, paying special attention to the place where the blades connect to the rear bearing and motor. Foreign objects entering your motor may cause the mechanisms to stall. This will damage the surface of the fan. How to Stop Ceiling Fan Vibration. These motors cost a bit more initially, but they are much more reliable than a sleeve-bearing motor, which are used on cheaper fan models. home improvement and repair website. Remove the other switch leads and insert the second probe into the terminals. It’s a good idea to look for a model with metal blades and a fully enclosed motor housing to keep out dirt and debris. Full plastic housing, full metal housing – I’ve tried various ones. If you suspect a problem with the cord, you can replace it fairly easily. Having the blades far from the motor made a large decrease in vibration. Do not over-tighten the magnet mounts during … I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had fans just stop working. Wind machine fan; Cleaning Lasko Window Fan. When your floor fan stops working, don’t panic! I got the idea to make YouTube videos after searching for a video Read More. If your fan still seems imbalanced and rattles despite the floor being flat and level, this may mean the base of your fan is damaged or warped. But what happens when your electric fan stops working? Honestly, after a while, these things get really nasty. Alright so I have a box fan, and one of the blades broke off... also, now it's shaking really bad, the fan itsself tries to move around by its self while on the ground, I'm not sure if it's because losing a blade, or not, either way is there a way to fix this? If you discover that the fuse has blown, you’ll need to order a replacement to get your fan working again. Is all hope lost? This may be enough to remove dirt from the moving parts to allow your fan to turn again. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. Another cause of failure for fan motors is that the run capacitor deteriorates, which causes them to spin slowly, or that the thermal fuse fails, which turned out to be the cause for the fan below. Are the prongs bent? Hairs and small objects can be pulled into the motor, damaging normal usability. For the best results, match the fan size to your floor plan, cooling needs and available attic ventilation. Dry the blades by using a clean towel or paper wipes. If you’re not sure whether you have one or where to look, consult your owner’s manual or search for a PDF of it online by Googling the model number. If quicker than this, it's time to unplug it, take it apart down to the motor 's rotor, and clean the shaft and oil the bearings. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 5 minutes. Here's how to take out the old fan … This video shows you how to locate and replace the fuse inside a fan. Will try to rescue my Holmes floor fan! Attach the wires in the fan housing to the corresponding colored wires in your ceiling or attic that ran to the old fan housing. This will cushion it as the weight of the fan shifts, muffling any unwanted sounds. Use an air compressor or the crevice tool on your vacuum to carefully clean away excess dirt from all parts of your fan. Take your time to explore all your options so you know your next best step, and you’ll have cool air blowing through your house again in no time. So I have a house under contract thhat I am getting for a great price. While you’re on the phone with customer service, check to see if your fan is still under warranty so you get the full benefit of your purchase. Industrial floor fan with 3 speed settings. If the fan box is OK, perform these three simple checks for a quick fan fix. Is the cord securely attached to the fan body, or is it loose? If the noise is now gone and the bathroom exhaust fan is quieter, the problem is fixed. Buy a matching cord with the same type of plug and same gauge wire at your local hardware store — bring your fan along to ask for help finding a match if you’re not sure. Using an 8mm wrench and phillips screwdriver, remove the magnet mounts from the body of the motor. Solution 1 = To fix this, check that each fan blade is angled the same, use a level and lay it on top of the fan blades, bend the fans blades so that they all are angled the same. Raise the fan to the desired height and tighten the knob. Luckily, a broken 12-volt fan motor can be replaced at home. 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Clearing the motor of obstructions may help return your floor fan to its normal power. Avoid alcohol or other solvents. It provides various different characteristics and is quite in use. Use a canister vacuum and remove ALL dirt and dust that is in the vent housing and and on the fan blades or blower wheel. How to Remove Hot Air from a Room: Portable air conditioners . If you discover that your outlet has no power even after resetting the circuit breaker, call an electrician for help. 5 Ask an assistant to hold the fan steady to fix the angle-adjustment for the fan. You’ll be able to tell because the thick, black switch will be moved to the “off” position.