Ceiling fan lights not working? The most likely causes are a loose connection or a faulty light.
Some ceiling fans come equipped with a light which can be turned on or off from a remote control.
Sometimes things can go wrong and the light can stop working. This post will go into four different reasons why this might be occurring and what you should do to fix the problem.
Fixing might simply require tightening loose wiring at the fan. Other solutions might require replacing the fan (hopefully under warranty if it was installed recently).
Ceiling Fan Lights Not Working? – Reason #1
Faulty Remote Button
As ceiling fan lights are typically controlled from a remote control, this is the first place I would look.
I would check if the buttons on the remote control show wear and tear or any evidence of failure. If they do, this could be why the ceiling fan lights are not working.
If the remote control looks fine, then the problem might be caused by a loose connection.
Ceiling Fan Lights Not Working? – Reason #2
Loose Connection At The Fan Light
A loose connection inside the fan can be caused by the installer or the manufacturer. As fans are often manufactured cheaply, I always check the wiring connections from the manufacturer when installing ceiling fans. I often find that connections from the manufacturer are less than optimal.
Of course, loose connections can be caused by the installer as well. This can include making the connection too tight, which leads to the wire breaking, or too loose which leads to the wire coming out. Both are bad.
The good news is if there’s a loose connection it is relatively easy to fix and you won’t need to replace the ceiling fan unit. With this being said, you should always contact a registered electrician when dealing with dangerous levels of current.
Ceiling Fan Lights Not Working? – Reason #3
Improper Installation
The next reason is that the ceiling fan wasn’t installed properly. If you suspect this then get in contact with whoever installed the fan. In my experience, the light component of a ceiling fan often ‘plugs in’ to connect to the main fan wiring. If this plug isn’t connected properly it can result in the ceiling fan lights not working. Sometimes the plug might be faulty from the manufacturer. In this case, you should look at getting it replaced under warranty.
Ceiling Fan Lights Not Working? – Reason #4
Faulty Ceiling Fan Light
Ceiling fans can come with faults caused by the manufacturer.If you suspect that the ceiling fan light is faulty, then in most cases you won’t be able to get a replacement for the light. Instead you will need to replace the entire fan unit.
If the fan was installed recently you should be able to get it replaced under warranty. Contact the company who installed the fan for more information.
Conclusion
As you can see, your ceiling fan lights not working can be caused by many things.
The installer should check for a loose connection or improper installation. Both of these can be fixed by ensuring that the wiring connections are correct and at the right tension.
If the problem turns out to be a faulty light in the ceiling fan then the fan will most likely need to be replaced. In some cases you might be able to replace the light, but usually you will need to replace the entire unit. If it was installed recently, you might be able to get it replaced under warranty.
There is limited work you are allowed to do as a homeowner. However, we don’t encourage doing your own electrical work unless you are experienced and legally registered.
Next Steps
- Please share this post with whoever you think might find it useful
- If you’d like ideas on how to save money before you hire the electrician then check out this free guide