The Light Switch Won't Work When Hooking Up New Ceiling Fans

Switch Problems

• If the switch that is connected to the lighting circuit has become damaged during the installation process or has become faulty from use, the switch may not turn the lights on as expected. If this is the case, you will have to purchase a replacement pull switch and replace the switch before trying to turn on the fan's lights. Replacement switches contain a wiring schematic and mounting instructions to aid you in replacing the switch.

Wiring Problems

• Even the best switch is useless unless it is wired into a circuit properly. If the electrical connections are loose, or if the switch leads are connected to the wrong parts of the circuit, the circuit will not work properly even if the switch is in good working order. Most ceiling fans come with wiring diagrams that show how the switch is designed to be wired into the circuit. If you believe that the switch is wired into the circuit improperly, turn off the power to the fan circuit, open the fan housing and check the switch wiring.

Light Problems

• If the circuit and the switch appear to be in good working order, the problem may be that the lights themselves are not working properly. Improper handling may cause the filament in an incandescent or halogen bulb to weaken prematurely. Defective light bulbs may fail to illuminate at all, or may behave erratically when powered. Lightbulbs affected by these conditions may cause bulb failure when the switch is turned on, and this may make it seem as though the problem is with the light switch rather than with the bulbs themselves.

Other Considerations

• If neither the light nor the fan turns on when the switches are in the "on" position, the power supply to the fan may have been interrupted. Check the fuse or circuit breaker at the electrical service box to verify that the circuit is powered. If the fuse is missing or the circuit breaker is in the "off" or tripped position, neither the light nor the fan will work.