Range hood problems, lifespan and upkeep

A range hood pulls cooking grease, smoke and steam off the stove, either out of the house through a duct or back into the kitchen through a charcoal filter. The two common complaints are a hood that is not working and one with weak suction. Minor repairs typically run $85–210, and grease buildup is a fire risk, so keep the filters clean. If the stove itself is the problem, see oven not heating or burner not working.

Common problems
How long it should last

Typical lifespan: about 15 years

Signs it is near the end:

  • The hood is over 10 years old and needs a repair.
  • The fan motor hums but won't spin, or runs weakly even with clean filters.
  • The controls or switch have become unreliable.
  • It no longer clears smoke and grease from the stove even after the filters are cleaned.
Basic upkeep
  • Keep the grease filters clean: grease buildup is a fire risk and the most common reason a hood stops pulling.
  • If your hood recirculates instead of venting outside, replace the charcoal filter when it is due.
  • Turn the fan on before you start cooking, and use a higher speed for heavy frying.
  • If you can see the outside vent cap, check that nothing is blocking it.
  • Switch off the breaker or unplug the hood before any work beyond the filters.
Common fixes

  • Furnace won't heat?

    FurnaceFall

    The furnace runs but the house stays cold, which is usually a clogged filter, a thermostat setting, or an ignition fault.

  • Heat pump not heating?

    Heat pumpFall

    The heat pump runs but the house stays cold, which is usually thermostat settings, a clogged filter, or an iced-over outdoor unit.

  • Washer won't drain?

    Washer

    Water is left in the drum after the cycle, which is usually a clogged pump filter or a kinked drain hose.

  • Fridge not cooling?

    Fridge

    The fridge section is warm or warming. The cause depends on whether the freezer is still cold, and the first fix is often free.

  • Washer won't spin?

    Washer

    The drum fills and washes but won't spin, which is usually an unbalanced load, the lid switch, or a drain problem.

Sharpen the read

Diagnose your range hood in seconds, for free

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Snap one of these:

  • the hood from below with the filters in place
  • the filters close up
  • the controls
  • the outside vent cap, if you can see it

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