Aside from keeping the room cool, beautifully-designed ceiling fans with light fixtures also make for a great centerpiece.
From time to time, however, you will need to deal with busted bulbs, broken pull chains, and malfunctioning light switches.
To change the light bulb in the ceiling fan, you must first remove the light cover to access the burned-out bulb. You can use a bulb changer if your ceiling fan does not feature a globe or glass casing.
In this guide, I will share how to replace the light bulb in the ceiling fan and a couple of other ways to fix common ceiling fan problems.
How To Change Light Bulb In Ceiling Fan?
Before You Start
- Replace the light bulbs when they have been off for a while. This way, they are not too hot to touch.
- Ensure the replacement bulb follows the maximum wattage rating on the fixture’s socket.
- If your ceiling fan’s light has a dimmer switch, ensure the new bulb is compatible.
Step 1: Wear Your Safety Goggles And Leather Work Gloves
Donning goggles and gloves may seem over the top if you only need to replace a light bulb.
However, these pieces of protective equipment can protect your eyes and hands if the glass cover or bulb breaks as you attempt to remove it.
Step 2: Place the Ladder Close To the Ceiling Fan
Place your step stool or ladder where you can reach the ceiling fan comfortably and get a good view of where the screws are located.
Step 3: Remove the Light Cover
Ceiling fan’s design, you will need to remove the cover by:
- Loosening the screws
- Twisting the light lid counterclockwise
- Unfasten the clip that holds the light cover.
Support the light cover with one hand while you use the other to undo the screws or clips.
Tip: If you find the screws a little tight, use a small screwdriver or needle-nose pliers to aid you.
Step 4: Remove the Old Light Bulb And Replace It With a New One
Detach the old light bulb by twisting it counterclockwise.
Next, place the new bulb onto the socket by turning it clockwise until it is securely in place.
Step 5: Replace the Light Cover
Install the light cover back to the fixture and ensure that all screws or clips are firmly attached.
Other Ceiling Fan Designs
- Changing the bulbs of an LED integrated ceiling fan can be difficult for those without experience in electrical wiring. You will need to call a licensed electrician or replace the entire unit.
- If the ceiling fan is designed with exposed bulbs, you can use a light bulb changer with a telescoping pole.
How To Replace Ceiling Fan Light Switch?
So, your ceiling fan’s light won’t turn on. Well, here are two possible reasons:
First, the ceiling fan’s chains might have worn out from pulling them daily to use the light or the fan. Sometimes, we don’t even realize that we can roughly pull it, which can break the chain or dislodge the socket.
Another possible reason is that the light switch itself is malfunctioning.
Don’t worry; I will show you how to fix them in the guide below. But, first, cut the power from the circuit breaker.
Replacing the Ceiling Fan Light’s Pull Chain
- Remove the switch housing.
- Unfasten all the screws that connect the light fixture to the fan. This should allow you to see the light switch and the broken piece of the pull chain.
- Set aside the switch housing and screws.
- Remove the pull chain from the switch. Before disassembling the mechanism, remember where the pull chain is placed, so you know where to put the new one.
- Place the new pull chain into the disk where the old chain used to be.
- Put all the parts together and switch the light using the new chain.
Replacing an On/Off Light Switch In the Ceiling Fan
- Buy a new replacement fan light switch from the hardware store.
- Detach the light fixture casing from the fan.
- Remove the screws that attach the light fixture to the fan body. At this point, you should be able to see the switch where the pull chains connect.
- Take out the old fan light switch. You can take a picture of the wires before disconnecting them entirely from the old switch.
- Using a wire stripper, strip the insulation of the ends of the wires connected to the new switch.
- Connect the new wires to where the old cables used to connect. Then, in a clockwise motion, twist the wires together.
- Cover the bare wire with wires, then put the new switch into the fan housing and the pull chain.
- Reattach each piece you removed, including the nuts, light fixture, and bulbs.
- Switch the power supply from the circuit breaker and test your new pull chain.
Are Ceiling Fan Light Kits Interchangeable?
It depends on the manufacturer and the model. Brands like Casablanca and Hunter only offer light kits that are compatible with their line of ceiling fans.
Meanwhile, other brands make ceiling fan units with universal parts, so you can use light kits made by another manufacturer.
