Ceiling fan won't turn on?

The fan doesn't move at all, or only hums. Often it's the wall switch, the pull chain, the remote or a tripped breaker. A hum, a slow spin or a single working speed points to the capacitor or the motor. Check the simple things first.

Not sure which one it is? Snap your ceiling fan and we’ll narrow it down.

Does the fan run but shake or wobble?

That's a different problem from a fan that won't start. Ceiling fan wobbling

Likely causes

Wall switch off, or pull chain set to off
Most commonEasy DIY
Nothing happens at any speed. The wall switch is off, or a pull chain is set to the off position, which is easy to do without noticing.
Dead remote batteries, or the remote and receiver lost pairing
CommonEasy DIY
The fan works from the pull chain or wall switch but not from the remote, or the remote's light stays dark.
Part: $50–100 (remote, professional)
Tripped breaker
CommonEasy DIY
The fan and its light are both dead, and other lights or outlets on the same circuit may be out too.
Loose wire in the canopy
Less commonCall a pro
The fan works intermittently or stops when it's bumped or when the fan starts. The wires sit in the canopy against the ceiling.
Broken pull-chain switch
Less commonModerate DIY
The chain feels loose or limp, doesn't click, or a speed doesn't respond when pulled. The wall switch and breaker are fine.
Part: $50–125 (stuck pull chain, professional)
Failed wall or fan switch
Less commonCall a pro
The switch feels loose or doesn't click, and the breaker and power are fine.
Part: $70–150 (switch, professional)
Failed capacitor
Less commonCall a pro
The fan hums but doesn't start, runs slowly, or only runs on one speed.
Part: $90–300 (capacitor, professional)
Failed motor
Less commonCall a pro
The fan is dead or noisy, and power and the capacitor have been ruled out.
Part: $80–350 (motor, professional)

Quick checks

Switch off the breaker, not just the wall switch, before opening the canopy or touching any wiring. Use a sturdy ladder, never a chair. If the fan hangs from a box that isn't fan-rated, or the mount is loose, don't run it. Reset a tripped breaker once only; if it trips again, leave it off and call a pro.

Check that the wall switch is on and that each pull chain is not set to off.
If the fan uses a remote, replace its batteries, then try the pull chain or wall control to see whether the fan itself works.
Look at the fan's breaker in the panel. Reset a tripped breaker once only.
Check whether the light works. If both are dead, power is the likelier cause; if only the fan is dead, suspect the switch, capacitor or motor.
Listen for a hum when you switch the fan on.

Sharpen the read

Diagnose your ceiling fan in seconds, for free

No account, no phone number. Fixology’s AI reads your photo and tells you what’s likely wrong, how worried to be, and whether it’s a DIY fix.

Snap one of these:

the whole fan from below
the pull chains or wall control
the canopy where it meets the ceiling

Add a note or more photos next. Nobody calls you.

When to call a pro

The checks above haven't helped, the breaker keeps tripping, wires in the canopy look loose or burnt, or the fan hums but won't start (a capacitor or motor). Part of the house with no power is a circuit problem; see part of the house has no power. For lifespan and upkeep, see the ceiling fan guide.

Typical cost: A professional ceiling fan repair averages about $145, typically $70–200. Specific repairs run about $90–300 for a capacitor, $80–350 for a motor, $70–150 for a switch, $50–125 for a stuck pull chain and $50–100 for a remote. An electrician charges about $40–120 per hour for fan work, and a service call runs $100–200 for the first hour. A new fan installed costs $140–350 including the fan.

Sources: Fixr: Cost to repair a ceiling fan (updated January 31, 2025), HomeAdvisor: How much does an electrician cost? (updated June 19, 2026)

After a scan, Fixology can also help you find pros near you.