Range Hood Not Working? Here's What's Causing It

A range hood that will not turn on, or one that runs but pulls no smoke, lets grease and steam settle on your cabinets and walls. The fixes range from a five-minute filter cleaning to a motor replacement, and it helps to separate a hood that is dead from one that runs but does not vent.

Most Common Causes, Most Likely First

• A clogged grease filter. The most common reason a hood runs but pulls poorly. A grease-caked mesh filter chokes airflow completely.
• A blocked or disconnected duct. On vented hoods, lint, grease, or a stuck exterior damper stops air from leaving the house.
• A saturated charcoal filter (recirculating hoods). Ductless models rely on a carbon filter that stops working when saturated.
• A failed switch or control. The fan or light switch wears out, so the hood will not turn on.
• A burned-out fan motor. After years of grease and heat, the motor seizes or fails and needs replacement.

What You Can Safely Check Yourself

Turn the hood off at the switch, and cut power at the breaker before removing any panel or the motor cover.

1. Clean or replace the filter. Pop out the metal mesh filter and soak it in hot water with degreasing dish soap, or run it through the dishwasher. Replace a charcoal filter on a ductless hood.
2. Check the exterior vent. Confirm the outside damper flap opens when the fan runs and clear any grease buildup or nest in the duct.
3. Test the light. If the light works but the fan does not, power is reaching the hood and the issue is the fan switch or motor, not the circuit.
4. Check the breaker and plug. If nothing works, confirm the breaker is on and, for a plug-in hood, that it is still connected under the cabinet.
5. Listen to the motor. A hum with no airflow suggests a seized motor or jammed fan; a click with no sound suggests a switch or capacitor.

When to Stop and Call a Pro

If the filter is clean, the duct is clear, and the fan still will not spin or barely moves air, the motor or its switch has likely failed. Replacing a hood motor or an internal switch means disconnecting wiring inside the unit, often overhead and near grease-laden surfaces, and hardwired hoods are tied directly into house wiring. That is a job for a technician or electrician. Call a pro when the motor hums but will not turn, when the fan is dead but the light works, or when the hood is hardwired and completely unresponsive.

How a Home Warranty Fits In

Fan motors, switches, and controls wear out from years of heat and grease. When one fails from normal use, a home warranty appliance plan often covers the repair for a flat service fee rather than a surprise repair bill, depending on your plan's covered items. Cleaning filters and clearing the duct are easy DIY maintenance, but for a failed motor or switch, a warranty claim gets a qualified tech to handle the wiring safely.