What Causes a Bathroom Ceiling Vent to Stop Working?

Electrical

• There are several troubleshooting steps to determine if the ceiling vent has an electrical issue. If the vent has a light and it also is not working, the problem is likely an electrical issue. Check the electrical box to see if a breaker has tripped or a fuse has blown. Another culprit may be a loose or shorted wire within the ceiling vent. You can visually inspect the wiring by removing the grate. Be sure the power to the vent is off before doing this. If you are not versed in handling electrical problems, contract a licensed electrician to repair faulty wiring issues.

Dirt

• Over time, a ceiling vent can become coated with dust, pet dander, grease and grime. Accumulated buildup can cause the vent fan to stop spinning or to spin very slowly. A grinding noise often is a sign of dust buildup on a fan. Cleaning and resetting the fan as soon as it shows signs of dust buildup keeps it running properly and helps protect the motor from burning out.

Parts

• Like any appliance, parts might fail after a period of time and need to be replaced. It is not uncommon for the motor in a bathroom ceiling vent to burn out. The cost of a new fan is comparable to the cost of just the motor, but it is much simpler to replace only the motor. Be careful when removing the blower from the motor, as it is fragile. While the motor is out of the housing, vacuum the mechanism to remove accumulated dirt and dust.

Prevention

• The bathroom ceiling vent, like any household applicance, requires routine maintenance to keep it running efficiently. Fans attract dust, dander and grease. Cleaning a ceiling vent is not difficult. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean the outer grate. After turning off the power to the vent, remove the grate, and carefully clean the fan blades with a dust cloth or paper towel. Rotate the fan to ensure that it spins freely. Use the vacuum cleaner's brush attachment to remove dust particles from inside the vent. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for other maintenance, such as lubricating the motor.