A bathroom heater fan is a device you probably don't value, especially in mid-winter. Due to dirt, moisture, age, or excessive use, a time may come when the fan needs to be repaired.

Here are steps you should follow when repairing your heater fan:

Step 1. Check Breaker Box

If your heater fan doesn't switch on, it can be due to a simple trip in the breaker box. You can correct this by resetting the breaker. It may be a bit tricky if the breaker trips again. This may be due to several reasons, two of which are an overloaded circuit or a short in the wiring to the fan.

Step 2. Short in Wiring

If the breaker is still tripping as the fan runs, follow the connections back with a multimeter and check if there is an issue with the wiring. It might be touching a piece of metal somewhere or exposed in some areas. This will not only repair your heater fan but also prevent a fire.

Step 3. Clean Off Vents

Take off the cover of your heater fan and check if there is any obstruction or dirt in the heater vents. If any, clean it with a rag. You can also use a dry/wet vac to clean the vents and heater surroundings.

Step 4. Replace Heating Element

If your bathroom heater fan is working but does not emit any heat, there is a problem with the heating element. This may result in a heating tube or a coil within the heating unit. Remove the cover of the bathroom fan heater and identify the heating unit. In some models, it is exposed, while in others, you have to remove another covering to locate it. Disconnect the cables that are connected to the heating element using a screwdriver. Replace the heating element. Assemble the fan back in the reverse order.

Step 5. Replace Bearings in Motor

You may realize some squeaking noise from the heater fan as it runs. When such happens, you should replace the bearings in the motor. Remove the cover to locate the motor shaft. Open the motor housing till you have access to the bearings. Replace with some greased bearings and reassemble the unit. The noise should have disappeared, and the fan heater will run much better.

How to fix a broken bathroom fan

It can be stressful if your bathroom fan is not working. Although bathroom fans clear smell, their main task is to remove hot moist air and keep the room dry to help prevent mildew and mold build-up. Use your fan for cycling out wet air and get rid of smells before and after baths and showers.

To remove hot and moist air more efficiently :

• Switch on the heater fan anytime you enter the bathroom, so the air is already moving.
• When you leave your house, leave the door open. This will allow the fan to circulate fresh air more efficiently. The air movement is restricted when the door is closed, forcing the fan to work harder and longer.

Why is your bathroom fan not working?

There are a couple of reasons why your fan may stop working. Below are some of the common reasons and how to correct them:

• Check if something tripped the circuit breaker and reset it if necessary.
• Check if the fan switch is in good condition using a voltage tester. Replace if there is an issue.
• If the bathroom fan is on a ground-fault circuit interrupter outlet, test it to ensure it's reset. The circuit interrupter outlet has buttons that automatically turn off the electricity to prevent electrocution.
• If the fan motor does not rotate smoothly, you should lubricant the motor with a few drops of machine oil, or clean the whole compartment.
• The motor might be burnt out and requires replacement.

Testing your bathroom fan

Having done all required to fix your exhaust fan, it is time now to see if it's working as required. If you switch the fan on and it's still not working, the bad function is not caused by the motor. You can test the auction by switching on the fan and placing a piece of paper on the grill. If the paper does not cling onto the grill, clean it.

Remove the grill and remove dirt or lint on the grill slats using an old brush. As you do that, remove the exhaust fan motor and clean its blades and motor housing thoroughly. Remember, most blades are made of plastic, and some of the older models are made of metal. Metal blades can bend or twist. For maximum efficiency, straighten the fan blades if they are bent. Since all the parts are in good shape and well cleaned, reassemble the fan.

Try to test again using toilet paper. If it is still not working as required, you might be having a clogged exhaust duct. Clean it using a broom handle with a rag attached on its end. Alternatively, you can buy duct cleaning rods that curve or bend to 90 degrees and clean your ducts with them. Wet-dry vacuum cleaners can also do the task on shorter ducts.

Bottom line

It might be a stressful experience having a bathroom fan that is not functioning. It can neither remove moisture nor remove smells. Excessive moisture can lead to rusted hardware, deteriorated wood, and even mold problems.

The first thing in fixing a bathroom fan is checking if there is the power to the fan. If there is power, check the fan cover, the blades, and the outside vent cover.

If there is no power, check the circuit breakers, the housing outlet, the wall switch, and the fan motor itself.

However, if you can't do this yourself, you can always contact a professional.

Broan is the leader in residential ventilation products, customized climate, and indoor air quality solutions. Find more Broan products here!

Robert Syengo is an experienced web writer with a home improvement history that includes toilet remodeling and appliance installation. He enjoys writing and learning about electronics, gardens, design, remodeling and repair.