Range hood not working?

A hood that is dead usually has no power: a tripped breaker, or a plug that has worked loose. If the lights come on but the fan doesn't, or the fan hums without spinning, the problem is the switch, a thermal fuse or the motor.

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

Does it run but barely pull the smoke away?

Weak suction has different causes from a hood that won't run. Range hood weak suction

Likely causes

No power: a tripped breaker or a loose plug
Most commonEasy DIY
Nothing works: no fan, no light, no display. Check the breaker first. An under-cabinet hood is often plugged into an outlet inside the cabinet, and the plug can be loose or have been knocked out.
Failed switch or control panel
CommonCall a pro
The lights work but the fan doesn't (or the other way around), a button does nothing, or only some speeds work.
Failed fan motor
CommonCall a pro
The fan hums but doesn't spin, spins only after a push, or makes a grinding or squealing noise. The lights and controls still work.
Tripped thermal fuse
Less commonCall a pro
The whole hood is dead with power confirmed at the outlet or breaker, often after it ran hot or ran a long time. The fuse protects the motor from overheating.
Bulb or LED module (lights only)
CommonEasy DIY
The fan runs but the lights don't. A burnt-out bulb is easy to see under the hood, and a hood with a built-in LED module needs the whole module replaced.

Quick checks

Switch off the breaker or unplug the hood before working on it beyond the filters. Grease buildup is a fire risk, so keep the filters clean. For a grease fire on the stove, turn off the burner and cover the pan with a lid. Never use water.

Check the breaker, and try a lamp in the same outlet if you can reach it.
If the hood is under a cabinet, look inside the cabinet for its plug and push it in firmly.
Try every speed and the light button to see which function is dead.
Press the buttons and listen: a hum with no spin points to the motor, and silence points to power, the switch or the thermal fuse.
If only the light is out, switch off the breaker or unplug the hood, let the bulb cool, and swap it for the type printed on the hood.
Write down the model number from the label under the hood, and take photos of the controls.

Sharpen the read

Diagnose your range hood 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 hood from below with the filters in place
the controls
the model label under the hood

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

When to call a pro

The fan hums but won't spin, the hood is dead with power confirmed, the controls fail, or you can't find the cause. A hood over 10 years old with a motor or control failure is worth pricing against replacement. If it runs but pulls poorly, see range hood weak suction. For lifespan and upkeep, see the range hood guide.

Typical cost: $85–210 for a minor repair, parts and labor included, and $300–500 for a more extensive repair. A new hood installed runs $650–2,500, and replacing is worth considering once the hood is over 10 years old. Range hoods last about 15 years (10–20).

Sources: HomeAdvisor: Who to hire to fix a range hood (updated November 5, 2025), Angi: Range hood (no update date shown)

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