Fan not Spinning, what is the Cause? How to Repair it Yourself?
With temperatures exceeding 42 degrees Celsius, many households may use fans heavily, causing them to stop spinning, the motor to overheat, the fan to stop spinning and make a humming sound, or the fan to stop spinning with a stiff shaft. But after trying to repair it yourself by replacing the capacitor, the fan still doesn’t spin. Various issues come all at once, especially with fans that have been used for a long time and are heavily used during the hot season, making them likely to break down. When encountering a broken fan like this, it's sure to make you sweat, but don't worry. Today, we have some DIY methods to repair a non-spinning fan, which aren't as hard as you might think. Let's see what methods there are.
1. Causes of a non-spinning fan
2. How to repair a non-spinning fan
3. How to choose a fan that's worth the money
1. Causes of a non-spinning fan
The fan in every home is usually used almost every day, and with such extreme heat, it works even harder. So, it’s not surprising that the fan breaks down, suddenly stops spinning, makes a humming sound, or the blades stop spinning, and the motor overheats. Let’s look at what causes the fan to stop spinning. If the issue is not severe, we can repair it ourselves to save money.
Dirty fan blade shaft
If you turn on the fan and it doesn’t spin, the shaft is stiff, or you turn it on and the fan doesn’t spin, making a humming sound, first check the fan blade shaft to see if there is any dirt accumulation, such as dust, hair, or if you have pets, it could be pet hair.
Worn-out bushing or fan blade shaft
After checking whether the fan blade shaft is dirty and cleaning it, if the fan still doesn’t spin, the next step is to check if the bushing or shaft is worn out. The bushing in a fan looks similar to a ring, and it’s an essential part that covers or supports the shaft between the motor and the fan blades. If the bushing is worn out or broken, it can cause the fan to spin slowly with little force or, in severe cases, not spin at all.
Worn-out fan capacitor
The fan capacitor is a component that stores electric charge and discharges it to help the fan motor start or run. If the capacitor is worn out, it means the fan has been used for a long time or has been heavily used without a break. When turning on the fan, it may spin stiffly, or you might need to push it by hand to make it spin.
Broken fan motor
Another part to check when the fan doesn’t spin is the motor. If you turn on the fan and it doesn’t spin, the motor overheats, makes a humming sound, or the fan doesn’t spin with a stiff shaft, it’s highly likely that the motor is the problem. You should immediately turn off the fan and stop using it. If you continue using it, the fan might burn out and produce a burning smell from the motor. Finally, unplug the fan before checking for issues.
2. How to repair a non-spinning fan
For those who get frustrated when the fan doesn’t spin, don’t rush to buy a new one. Try repairing it yourself first to save money. But if it’s too difficult, you might need to call a repairman. So, let’s follow the methods we’ve brought for you.
Cleaning the fan
If the fan doesn’t spin and you find that the fan blade shaft is dirty, such as dust clumps or pet hair, you can disassemble the grill and clean it yourself. Here’s how:
- Remove the front fan grill and unscrew the blade lock.
- Wash the disassembled parts with plain water to remove all the dust.
- After washing, dry them with a cloth and leave them to dry completely without any water droplets (dry them in the shade).
- Apply multipurpose oil or a lubricant to the fan blade shaft to prevent the fan from not spinning due to a stiff shaft.
- Use a screwdriver to unscrew the fan lock and the motor cover at the back for cleaning.
- Wipe the dust off the motor with a dry cloth.
- Once all the parts are completely dry, reassemble them as they were.
Replacing the bushing and shaft
If the cause of the non-spinning fan is a worn-out bushing or fan blade shaft, you can replace it by purchasing it from a fan parts store or ordering it online. If you’re not sure about buying the correct model, disassemble the fan to remove the capacitor and take it to compare at the appliance parts store. You can find instructions for replacement in the manual, or if you’re not confident in replacing it yourself, you can hire a nearby repairman to do it.
Motor issues
If you’ve cleaned the fan blade shaft, replaced the bushing, and the fan still doesn’t spin, the motor overheats or makes a humming sound, with no improvement, assume the motor is broken. We don’t recommend buying a new motor to replace it because the cost of a motor and the labor cost to replace it aren’t much different from buying a new fan. So, if the motor is broken, buying a new fan is a more cost-effective option than paying for a new motor.
3. How to choose a fan that’s worth the money
For those planning to buy a new fan, you should choose one that offers good value, saves electricity, and lasts longer. Let’s see what kind of fan you should choose.
How to buy a fan that’s worth the money
- First, choose a fan with the TIS (Thai Industrial Standards) mark because it guarantees safety standards.
- Choose a fan with a 5-star energy-saving label. This label indicates the fan’s energy usage level and basic fan information, such as efficiency, which can save long-term costs and reduce your electricity bill.
- Choose the right type of fan for your needs, such as a table fan for 1-2 people, which is also energy-efficient.
How to use a fan to save electricity
- After use, turn off the fan to allow the motor to rest and prevent it from wearing out too quickly, and don’t leave it plugged in, especially fans with a remote control system, as electricity will continue to flow.
- Adjust the fan speed and power appropriately, as higher speeds use more electricity.
- Regularly clean the fan, such as the blades and grills, to extend its lifespan.
Because fans are a common household appliance, if a fan doesn’t spin and the motor overheats, you should check it immediately. If the issue isn’t severe, you can repair it yourself using the methods we’ve shared. And in this hot weather, don’t forget to take care of your health and consider health insurance from Muang Thai Life Assurance. #เพราะชีวิตทุกวัยมันเจ็บป่วย Enjoy life at all ages no matter it’s a common or critical illness. No worries about medical expenses with lump sum health insurance from 200K – 100 million Baht.
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For more information:
☑️ Call Tel. 1766, available 24/7.
☑️ Contact life insurance agents.
(1) In case of choosing Plan 40 MB, 75 MB or 100 MB
(2) For 50-year-old insured choosing Plan 20 MB with coverage area in Thailand in annual premium payment mode.
(3) In case of choosing Plan 5 MB which is a benefit per any treatment
(4) For female 34-year-old insured choosing Plan 5 MB with deductibles of 30,000 Baht per any hospitalization (topping up existing coverage) in annual premium payment mode.
(5) For Plan 3 which is a benefit per any inpatient hospitalization
(6) For female 34-year-old insured choosing Plan 3 in annual premium payment mode.
- Coverage conditions are as specified in the insurance policy.
- Health riders must be attached to an effective policy.
- Coverage period of the rider must not exceed the coverage period of the life insurance policy that this rider is attached to.
- Premium is eligible for tax deduction. Conditions are as specified by the Revenue Department.
- Conditions are as specified by Muang Thai Life Assurance PCL.
- Underwriting is subject to the Company’s rules.
- Please study details of coverage, conditions and exclusions before making a decision to purchase insurance.
Sources: data retrieved on 02/04/2024