How to Replace a Broken Fan Pull Chain Switch

Written by
lee wallender
Lee Wallender
Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 12 years.
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Lee Wallender
Updated 12/30/19
Ceiling Fan

Michael Robinson / Getty Images

Both for looks and for saving energy, a ceiling fan is a great addition to any home. During the winter, the fan pushes warm air down into living areas. During the summer, it draws warm air upward and away. Yet a broken ceiling fan pull chain is a common problem for many owners of ceiling fans.

Children may play with the fan’s chain and snap it off. Even during normal use, the weak beaded metal pull chain can easily break with a moderate pull. But there is no need to replace the entire ceiling fan or even call in a technician for this repair. Fixing a broken ceiling fan pull is an inexpensive, simple, and quick repair that will save you much time and aggravation. 

Two Types of Broken Ceiling Fan Pulls

There are two types of ceiling fan pull chain breaks: outside or inside of the fan housing. When the chain breaks outside of the fan housing, it is visible and can be easily repaired with an extension chain. However, when the pull breaks inside of the fan housing, it remains an inexpensive repair but more work is involved, and this becomes a pull chain switch replacement project.

Safety Considerations

Turn off all power to the ceiling fan. Turn off the switch on the wall, if any. Also, find the circuit breaker at the electrical service panel that controls the ceiling fan, and turn off that circuit breaker. After you have opened up the ceiling fan housing, double-check that the power is off by using a voltage tester.

Project Metrics

  • Working Time: 10 minutes for pull extension; 30 minutes for pull switch replacement
  • Total Time: 15 minutes for extension; 45 minutes for pull switch
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Material Cost: $5 to $10

What You Will Need

Equipment/Tools

  • Six-foot step ladder
  • Voltage tester
  • Wire stripper
  • Manual screwdriver

Materials

  • Pull chain extender or pull chain switch kit
  • Electrical wire nuts

Instructions

  1. Add a Pull Chain Extension

    Repairing Ceiling Fan Chain - Broken
    Lee Wallender

    If the remaining pull chain on the ceiling fan extends at least half an inch out of the fan housing, 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 direction to go.

    Attach the extension to the end of the remaining chain, pushing firmly to snap the end of the chain into the connector.

  2. When Ceiling Fan Pull Chain Is Broken Inside of the Ceiling Fan

    Ceiling Fan Pull Chain Broken Inside of the Ceiling Fan
    Lee Wallender 

    When no pull chain is visible, this likely means that the pull within the ceiling fan has broken near or inside the ceiling fan pull switch. Unscrew the metal collar through which the pull chain should extend. First try screwing off the collar with your fingers, turning counterclockwise. If this does not work, use pliers and a soft rag wrapped around the metal collar to protect the collar and the fan housing from damage.

  3. Unscrew the Ceiling Fan Base

    Unscrew the Ceiling Fan Base
    Lee Wallender

    Remove any light bulbs from the ceiling fan. With a manual screwdriver, turn out the screws holding the removable lower section from the ceiling fan motor base. Set the screws aside. Pull off the removable section gently. Leave it attached by its wires to the ceiling fan base.

  4. Pull Out the Pull Chain Switch

    Pull Out the Pull Chain Switch
    Lee Wallender

    Locate the pull chain switch. 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. It will be attached to the fan with two wires.

    Safety Tip

    Do not attempt to fix the 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.

  5. Cut the Wires to the Ceiling Fan Pull Chain Switch

    Cut the Wires to the Ceiling Fan Pull Chain Switch
    Lee Wallender

    With the wire stripper, use the cutting section to snip off the two wires that attach the pull chain switch to the ceiling fan base. Leave at least two inches of wire attached to the ceiling fan base to make it easier to reattach the new pull chain switch.

  6. Attach the New Pull Switch to the Ceiling Fan

    Attach the New Pull Switch to the Ceiling Fan
    Lee Wallender

    After stripping the plastic from the wires to expose the copper wire, attach the two wires of the new pull chain switch to the fan's wires. Twist together the wires. Top off each connection with a plastic wire nut.

  7. Thread the Pull Chain Back Through the Hole

    Thread the Pull Chain Back Through the Hole
    Lee Wallender

    Gently press the pull chain switch back into the ceiling fan base. Thread the pull chain through the hole in the housing.

  8. Tighten the Metal Collar in Place

    Tighten the Metal Collar in Place
    Lee Wallender

    Tighten the metal collar by hand.

  9. Reattach Remaining Parts

Reattach the lower section of the ceiling fan. Add any light bulbs. Turn the power back on at the circuit breaker and at any wall switches. Test the fan by carefully pulling on the ceiling fan pull.