During the winter, the fanpushes warm air downinto living areas.
During the summer, it draws warm air upward and away.
And where there is a chain, there is eventually abrokenchain.
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Luckily, it’s a cinch to learn how to fix ceiling fan chains.
A broken ceiling fan chain, or one that becomes stuck or jammed, is a common problem.
Even during normal use, the weak beaded metal pull chain can easily break with a moderate pull.
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
The first repair is simple and takes only a few minutes.
The second repair is more involved and usually requires some disassembly.
The break is visible and easily accessible.
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
This kind of break can be repaired with an extension chain.
This becomes a pull chain switch replacement project.
With the chain continually rubbing against the sides of the metal collar, breakage is inevitable.
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
Safety Considerations
Cut power to the ceiling fan by flipping off the switch on the wall.
Find thecircuit breakerat the electrical service panel that controls the ceiling fan, and turn off that circuit breaker.
Be careful when working on the ladder.
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Have an assistant work with you to hold the ladder.
That means you only need to add a ceiling fan chain extension.
As long as you have enough existing chain to work with, this is the best approach.
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
When no ceiling fan chain is visible, it is an internal repair.
In that case, proceed to the next step.
bring up the Ceiling Fan Base
Remove any light bulbs from the ceiling fan.
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Set the screws aside.
Gently pull off the removable section.
Leave it attached by its wires to the ceiling fan base.
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Remove the Metal Collar
Unscrew the metal collar through which the ceiling fan chain should extend.
First try screwing off the collar with your fingers, turning counterclockwise.
Pull out the Pull Chain Switch
Locate the ceiling fan chain switch.
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It should be a small plastic unit, often with a transparent side.
You may even be able to see the broken pull within the switch unit.
Carefully pull this down.
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It will be usually attached to the fan with three or four wires.
Warning
Do not attempt to fix or take apart a pull chain switch.
Instead, it is easier and safer to discard the old switch and replace it with a new switch.
Ceiling fan pull switch kits are inexpensive and readily available online.
Twist together the wires.
Top off each connection with a plastic wire nut.
Be very careful to match the wiring of the old switch with the wiring of the new switch.
Thread the pull chain through the hole in the housing.
Reassemble and Test the Ceiling Fan
Tighten the metal collar by hand.
Add any light bulbs.
Reattach the lower section of the ceiling fan.
Turn the power back on at the circuit breaker and any wall switches.
Test the fan by carefully pulling on the ceiling fan pull.
