Broan Range Hood Fan Not Working or Making Noise — 4 Causes & How to Fix

You flip the switch, expecting that familiar hum, but your Broan range hood just sits there—silent. Or worse, it sounds like a helicopter trying to take off in your kitchen. One frustrated homeowner put it perfectly: "The fan in our 12-year old range hood stopped working. After removing it and cleaning up the exposed parts and connections, concluded that the motor had simply died."

If your Broan models like the 40000 series, F40000, or 42000 series are giving you trouble, you're likely dealing with a motor assembly failure. The good news? This is one of the easiest appliance repairs you'll ever tackle—most people have it done in under 20 minutes.

Quick Symptom Check

Before you grab your screwdriver, verify what you're dealing with:

• Complete silence: Fan doesn't respond at all when you flip the switch
• Weak airflow: Motor runs but barely moves any air
• Grinding or rattling noise: Sounds like metal-on-metal or loose bearings
• Intermittent operation: Works sometimes, then quits randomly
• Humming without spinning: You hear electrical hum but no fan movement

Cause #1: Worn Out Motor Assembly (85% probability)

This is the big one. After years of pulling grease-laden air through your kitchen, motor assemblies wear out. The bearings deteriorate, windings fail, or the motor simply seizes up.

How to diagnose: Remove the mesh filter and look up into the hood. Try manually spinning the fan blade—if it doesn't spin freely or feels gritty, the motor's shot. If it spins fine but nothing happens when you turn on the switch, the motor's electrically dead.

The motor assembly (part #97012248) typically lasts 10-15 years of regular use. Once it fails, there's no repair—you replace the entire unit. As one DIYer noted: "I removed the screen over the exhausted fan, use a socket to remove bolts disconnected power cable and pulled assembly out. I merely install assembly in reverse order. 20 minutes top for repair."

The fix: Disconnect power at the breaker. Remove the mesh filters and locate the motor mounting bolts (usually 2-4). Disconnect the wire harness plug. Unbolt the old motor, drop it out, and reverse the process with your new 97012248 assembly. Total investment: about $42 and 15 minutes of your time versus $150+ for a service call.

Cause #2: Seized Fan Blade (10% probability)

Sometimes the motor's fine—something's just jamming the blade. Grease buildup, a piece of debris, or a warped blade can lock everything up.

How to diagnose: With power off, reach up and try rotating the fan blade by hand. Does it turn smoothly through a complete rotation? If you feel resistance or it stops at certain points, you've found your problem.

The fix: Remove the blade (usually one center nut). Clean all grease deposits with degreaser. Check that the blade isn't bent or cracked. If the blade's damaged, you'll need a new one—but if it's just dirty, a thorough cleaning might save you the motor replacement.

Cause #3: Failed Capacitor (3% probability)

Some Broan models use a capacitor to help start the motor. When capacitors fail, you'll hear humming but see no movement.

How to diagnose: If the motor hums but doesn't spin, and the blade moves freely by hand, suspect the capacitor. It's typically a small cylinder attached near the motor with two wire terminals.

The fix: Capacitors store electrical charge even when unplugged—discharge it properly before touching. If you're not comfortable working with capacitors, this is when you call a pro. Replacement capacitors run $10-20 if you know what you're doing.

Cause #4: Wiring or Switch Failure (2% probability)

Occasionally, the problem isn't mechanical at all—it's electrical. A failed switch or broken wire connection can make a perfectly good motor appear dead.

How to diagnose: With a multimeter, test for voltage at the motor connector when the switch is on. No voltage? Work backward to the switch. If you're getting voltage but no motor response, and the motor spins freely, the motor's still your problem.

The fix: Replace the switch assembly or repair the wiring connection. But honestly, if you've gotten this far and everything else checks out, you're probably looking at that motor assembly replacement anyway.

When to Call a Pro

This is legitimately a DIY-friendly repair. You need basic tools (screwdrivers and a socket set), about 20 minutes, and the ability to identify a wire connector. If you've ever changed a ceiling fan, this is easier.

Call a professional if:

• You're uncomfortable working with electrical connections
• Your range hood is hard-wired without a plug (requires shutting off breaker)
• You find multiple issues (bad motor AND electrical problems)
• The mounting is unusual or you can't access the motor bolts

But seriously, this is one repair where the $150 service call charge seems ridiculous when you see how simple it is.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a range hood motor last?

Typical lifespan is 10-15 years with regular residential use. Heavy cooking, high grease loads, or running the fan constantly can shorten this to 7-10 years. The motor assembly on models like the Broan 40000 series, F40000, and 42000 series is a wear item—it's designed to be replaced, not repaired.

Can I use my range hood if the fan doesn't work but the light still does?

The light will function fine, but you're losing the entire purpose of the hood—venting smoke, steam, and grease. Cooking without ventilation lets grease deposit on your cabinets and walls. Fix it soon, or you'll be repainting your kitchen. Plus, unvented cooking moisture can lead to mold issues over time.

Will this motor assembly work on my Kenmore range hood?

Yes, many Kenmore range hoods use Broan components. The 97012248 motor assembly replaces part numbers AP4527731, 99080492, BP17, and S97012248. Check your existing motor's part number or verify your Kenmore model against the compatibility list. One user confirmed: "The fan in our 12-year old range hood (Kenmore) stopped working...The new fan/motor arrived in just a few days and it took less than 5 minutes to install it."