Extractor Fan Not Working? Here’s What to Check and Who to Call

When your extractor fan, a device that pulls moist air and odors out of bathrooms and kitchens. Also known as extraction fan or range hood, it’s one of those appliances you only notice when it stops working. Suddenly, your bathroom stays foggy after a shower, your kitchen smells like last night’s dinner, and you wonder why you didn’t clean it sooner. This isn’t just annoying—it can lead to mold, peeling paint, and even structural damage over time.

The problem usually isn’t magic. Most bathroom extractor fans, small ventilation units installed in ceilings or walls to remove humidity fail because of dust buildup, a broken motor, or a blown fuse. If it’s making a humming noise but not spinning, the capacitor might be dead. If it’s completely silent, check the power first—sometimes it’s just a tripped switch or a faulty wall switch. Kitchen extractor fans, often part of a range hood, designed to remove smoke, grease, and steam during cooking have similar issues, but grease clogs are the usual culprit. You don’t need to be an electrician to clean the blades or replace a filter, but if the wiring looks frayed or the motor smells like burning, stop. That’s not a DIY fix.

People often wait too long. They think, "It’s just a fan," but ignoring it means moisture lingers, walls get damp, and mildew grows behind tiles. A fan that runs quietly and efficiently doesn’t just make your home smell better—it protects your investment. Many homeowners in Glastonbury end up calling an electrician, a licensed professional who can safely diagnose and repair electrical components in home appliances because they tried to fix it themselves and made things worse. The good news? Most extractor fan repairs are quick and affordable. Replacing a motor or capacitor often costs less than a new fan. And if your fan is over 10 years old, it might be more efficient—and quieter—to swap it out entirely.

What you’ll find below are real guides from local repair technicians. We’ve pulled together step-by-step checks for when your fan won’t turn on, tips on cleaning grease traps without scrubbing your hands raw, and when to call in a pro instead of risking a shock or fire. Whether it’s a noisy bathroom fan or a kitchen hood that’s stopped pulling air, these posts give you the facts—not fluff. No jargon. No upsells. Just what actually works.