Check the fan in multiple outlets. It’s possible that the circuit breaker on an outlet was flipped and the fan simply wasn’t getting an electrical signal.
The pin is the piece of metal in the center of the fan that the blades and case rotate around. The blade guard, or blade casing, refers to the plastic or metal case that keeps people from getting hurt by the blades. On most fans, it either holds together with clips where the 2 pieces meet, or it relies on a cap in the middle to keep the case screwed tight. If you see screws holding the case together, unscrew them with a screwdriver to remove the case that way.
Depending on the model of your fan, there may be a latch on the side of the pin locking the blades into place. This latch usually slides back and forth to lock or unlock the blades.
If there was a plastic washer in front of the blades themselves, then there likely won’t be a washer in the back. If there wasn’t a plastic washer in the front, it’s highly likely that it’s in the back. The washer usually acts as a stabilizer to hold the blades in place. If there’s some plastic cover or case on front of the motor, unscrew the plate blocking the body of the motor.
The case may fall right off the fan after you remove the screws. If it doesn’t, insert a flathead or Philips screwdriver into a vent and pry it out. On some table fans, the motor will actually be underneath the base. If there’s no bulky head behind the blades and there’s a wide base, unscrew the bottom of the fan and pop the plastic cover off.
A dried out or sticky pin is one of the most common reasons for blades to stop spinning. If they spin easily and there’s no resistance, try turning your fan on and see if the pin spins. If it doesn’t, the problem isn’t the pin and there is probably a short in the motor. In this case, it’ll probably be easier to get a new fan.
If there aren’t any washers or bolts, simply skip this step. Washers in this part of the fan assembly can usually be turned by hand.
Any type of lubricating oil will work. You can buy lubricating oil at any auto parts shop or building supply store. You can wear rubber gloves if you want to keep oil from getting on your hands. It’s not toxic or anything though, and are easily wiped off before washing your hands with soap.
This will ensure that oil gets on the inside of the bolts that hold your pin while it spins. If these bolts aren’t oiled, there will be friction that prevents the pin from spinning. You can also slide the bolts off and oil them separately if you want.
Poor ventilation can cause dust and heat to get trapped inside the case of the motor. This can cause your fan to stop functioning—especially if your fan has an overheating feature that causes it to automatically shut off if it gets too hot.
If this vent is completely caked in dust or debris, it’s probably the reason that your fan hasn’t been functioning correctly. If you want to get it totally clean, you can soak the vent in water and soap before letting it air dry. This is usually unnecessary though.
A lot of standing and table fans don’t have a removable motor in the first place, which makes cleaning or adjusting it extremely difficult.
Turn your fan back on. If the blades are spinning more slowly than the pin was when you tested it, it’s a sign that your motor is dying. It’s operating at a power too low to completely turn the fan.
