Ceiling Fan Light Troubleshooting
A ceiling fan light not working can be an easy problem to solve. Don’t overlook common causes. Try making an easy fix before breaking out your toolbox. This guide offers ceiling fan light troubleshooting tips, and explains reasons why a ceiling fan light isn’t turning on.
Ensure Power is Reaching the Room
When you discover a ceiling fan light doesn’t work, confirm that electricity is reaching the room.
Test your fan to see if the blades rotate when turned on.
If the blades turn, check the switch that controls the ceiling fan light. Depending on how the light was wired, a light switch in the room can control power to the light with a separate switch that controls the blades.
Check the pull chain on the fan assembly that operates the lights.
If the fan blades and the ceiling fan lights don’t work, the problem might be that power isn’t getting to the room. Check a nearby outlet to see if it has power.
If power is out for the entire room, go to your main electrical panel and locate the circuit breaker for the area. Reset the breaker and then test the ceiling fan light and blades.
Check the Ceiling Fan Light Bulbs
Most ceiling fans with lights will work when one just one bulb has burned out in a multi-bulb configuration. Ceiling fans that use a single bulb won’t provide light if the bulb has gone bad.
Check to see that the bulbs are screwed into their sockets.
Check that the bulbs have the proper wattage for the ceiling fan light assembly.
Confirm that the non-working bulb is burned out by testing it in a working lamp.
Replace any burned out bulbs with new bulbs that have the correct wattage.
Inspect the Ceiling Fan Light Sockets
Before screwing in light bulbs that you have tested, check the sockets.
Look inside of the light bulb socket to make sure there are no burn marks or charred spots.
If you see black or burned areas, this may be a sign that your ceiling fan light kit has a wiring issue.
If things look good, return light bulbs that are in working order into their sockets.
Screw them into the sockets until they are snug. Do not overtighten.
Reset the Ceiling Fan Remote Control
If you use a remote control to operate the ceiling fan lights, the device might need new batteries. If it will turn on the fan but not the ceiling fan lights, try resetting the remote control.
Turn the ceiling fan off.
Remove the batteries from the remote control and wait for about 10-seconds.
Replace the batteries in the remote control and turn the power back on.