When the electric fan blades don't turn or the sound is noisy, the problem usually comes from the lubricating fluid that has dried and a blockage in the vent. To solve various problems with electric fans, you need to disassemble it, lubricate the pins and central components, and clean the vent and motor cover. Repairing an electric fan can be a difficult job if the problem lies in a part of the motor that may have died if the fan doesn't sound when it's turned on and the blades don't turn even after cleaning and lubrication. Given the low cost, you should not bother trying to repair a damaged fan motor yourself, but consider buying a new fan instead.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Disassembling the Fan
Step 1. Turn on the fan to make sure the motor is still working
Plug in the fan and turn it on to the highest power setting. If the blades move slightly or start to spin, the fan motor is probably still good. If you don't hear any sound, stick your ear to the center of the frame behind the propeller. Press the button to turn the fan off and on again, this time listening carefully to the sound. If there is a buzzing or vibrating sound, the fan motor is most likely still working.
Test the fan at a different power source. There is a possibility that the electric fuse is damaged so that the plug used does not work and the fan does not receive electrical power
Tip:
For most models of desk and stand fans, you shouldn't have to go through the trouble of repairing the engine to get it working again. The motor of the tool is probably dead. You are better off buying a new fan when the engine is dead. However, you can disassemble the engine if you still want to try it!
Step 2. Unplug the fan power cable and remove the propeller guard or holder
Disconnect the power cord from the power source to prevent the fan from starting while servicing. Feel the sides of the fan for the clips that hold the two halves together. If found, remove the clip and remove the front frame. If there are no hooks holding the propeller, try turning the center of the fan circularly counterclockwise. If they can be loosened, remove the screws and lower the fan blade cover frame.
- Pin is a piece of metal in the center of the fan that becomes the main shaft of the fan blade rotation.
- The vane holder or vane cover frame refers to a plastic or metal cover that protects anyone from the fan blades. On most models, the frame is held in place by two interlocking clips or relying on a cover in the center for the frame to be screwed in tightly.
- If there are screws securing the frame, remove them with a screwdriver to remove them.
Step 3. Turn the fan blade or ring in the center of the fan counterclockwise to remove it
Each fan model is different, but the blades are usually always locked by a small ring or ring cover frame itself. If there is plastic blocking the center of the propeller, turn it counterclockwise until it loosens, then remove the propeller. If there are no washers, turn the base of the fan until it holds the pins in place to allow the vanes to loosen from the pins.
Depending on the fan model, there may be a bar on the side of the pin that locks the blades in place. These bars can usually be moved back and forth to lock or unlock the fan blades
Step 4. Slide the back of the fan holder until it is free from the pins in the center
First remove the plastic or metal ring on the front of the rear propeller cover. You may need to remove some screws to access the back of the fan. Remove all the washers, then slide the back half of the frame from the propeller holder to the pins.
- If there is a plastic ring on the front of the propeller, chances are there isn't a ring on the back. If there's no plastic ring on the front, it's probably on the back. The ring usually serves to stabilize and hold the propeller in place.
- If there is a cover or plastic frame on the front of the motor, remove the screws on the plate blocking the motor body.
Step 5. Turn the fan over and look for the screws on the back
When the pin position and the front of the motor are exposed, turn on the fan to check the area opposite the motor frame. In most fans, there will be plastic vents that allow heat and air to escape the motor. There will be screws on the back that hold the frame in place. Use a flat-head screwdriver or a screwdriver to remove it. Keep the screws in a safe place, then pry the fan housing off.
- The fan housing may fall off immediately after you remove the screws. If not, insert a flat-blade screwdriver or a screwdriver into the vent to pry it out.
- On some desk fan models, the motor is usually at the base. If there is no large head behind the fan and the base appears wide, remove the screws at the bottom of the fan and remove the plastic cover.
Method 2 of 3: Lubricating the Fan Bearing
Step 1. Turn the pin on the front of the fan by hand to make sure it turns
Use your hands to try to turn the pin in the center of the fan. If it feels sticky or hard, the pin may just need to be lubricated. Over time, the lubricant on the pins will dry out due to the rotation of the fan blades. Re-lubricating the pins can solve this problem.
- Dry or sticky pins are a common cause of problems with non-rotating fan blades.
- If the pin spins easily without resistance, try turning on the fan and watching it spin. If it still doesn't turn, the problem is not with the pins and there may be a short circuit in the motor. If so, you should buy a new fan.
Step 2. Remove the washers or bolts blocking the pin base
When the pins are exposed, there may still be a metal bolt or two securing the pins around the fan housing. Use a wrench to remove the pin screw and loosen it. You don't need to remove everything, just access the bottom to reach all the pins.
- If there are no washers or bolts, skip this step.
- Rings in this section can usually be turned by hand.
Step 3. Apply lubricating oil on the front and back of the pins
Prepare a bottle of lubricating oil with a small spray. Find a clean washcloth and position it under the pins to catch any oil droplets. Turn the grease bottle over where the pins are in contact with the motor frame, then squeeze right in front of the pins. Grab the part under the bolt by sliding it from the lubricated place. Repeat this process on the back of the frame so that both sides of the pins are lubricated.
- Any lubricating oil can be used. You can buy lubricating oil at an automotive or hardware store.
- You can wear rubber gloves if you want to prevent the oil from getting on your hands. However, lubricating oil is not toxic or harmful, and can be wiped off easily before washing with soap.
Warning:
Use enough lubricant to coat the entire pin. You don't want the oil to hit the motor directly. If any oil drips from the pins, pat it dry with a rag to absorb the excess oil.
Step 4. Twist the bolt around the lubricated area of the pin while turning it
When the pins are lubricated, slide the bolts back into place. Lay down the rag and secure the bolt with your non-dominant hand. Grab the pin with your dominant hand. Slide the bolt back and forth over the lubricated area while turning it by hand. Repeat this process for all the bolts on the other side.
- This will ensure that the oil seeps into the bolts that hold the pins together as they rotate. If the bolt is not lubricated, there is friction that prevents the pin from turning.
- You can also slide the bolts out and lubricate them separately, if you prefer.
Method 3 of 3: Cleaning the Motor and Ventilation
Step 1. Check the back of the motor frame for dust and dirt
Turn the fan over and look inside the frame that surrounds the motor. Use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe the dust clean. Work all over the interior area of the frame to remove dust and dirt that has accumulated on the back of the fan.
Poor ventilation can cause dust and heat to be trapped inside the motor housing. This can cause the fan to stop working – especially if your fan has an anti-overheat feature that turns it off automatically when the fan gets too hot
Warning:
Do not use water to clean the area around the fan motor. Water entering the motor can cause a short circuit and damage the fan.
Step 2. Spray the plastic vent on the back of the fan with compressed air
Take the vent cover that was screwed off before lubricating the fan, then hold it away from your motor. Spray both sides of the cover with compressed air to remove dust from hard-to-reach areas between the ventilation grilles. Wipe the cover with a dry cloth.
- If the vents are completely covered in dust or dirt, this may be the cause of the fan not working properly.
- If you want to clean it thoroughly, soak the fan vents in soapy water before drying them. However, this method is usually not necessary.
Step 3. Plug the fan into a power source and turn it on to make sure the pins turn
Before reassembling the fan, first plug it into a power source and turn it on. See if the pin rotates properly. If not, you will need to clean the motor. However, this work can be difficult and complex enough that it is generally not worth the results.
There are many table fans and stand fans that don't have removable motors so cleaning or repairing them can be very difficult
Step 4. Reassemble the fan by installing the blades, bolts and frame as before
Work in reverse order based on how you disassembled the fan. Tighten the bolts on the pins with a wrench and replace the washers before installing the fan blade holder in its original place. Slide the fan blades up so that the rear is separate from the motor. Replace the plastic vents to the motor frame and replace the screws. Also install the front propeller protection frame and lock it tightly.
