How to Fix or Replace the Ceiling Fan Chain Quickly

Repair Time Depends on the Type of Chain Break

By
Lee Wallender
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 13 years.

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Updated on 07/12/22
Reviewed by
Larry Campbell
Larry Campbell
Reviewed by Larry Campbell

Larry Campbell is an electrical contractor with 36 years of experience in residential and light commercial electrical wiring. He worked as an electronic technician and later an engineer for the IBM Corp. is a member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.

Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
Fact checked by
Emily Estep
Emily Estep
Fact checked by Emily Estep
Emily Estep is a plant biologist and fact-checker focused on environmental sciences. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Master of Science in Plant Biology from Ohio University. Emily has been a proofreader and editor at a variety of online media outlets over the past decade.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Ceiling fan with fixed chain to turn on and off

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 5 mins - 1 hr
  • Total Time: 5 mins - 1 hr
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $5-$10

A ceiling fan is a great addition to any home. Not only does it provide a handsome look and a refreshing flow of air, but it can also save you energy year-round. During the winter, the fan pushes warm air down into living areas. During the summer, it draws warm air upward and away.

Yet for all of their marvels, many ceiling fans rely on a low-tech way of controlling the fan: a chain. And where there is a chain, there is eventually a broken chain. Luckily, it's a cinch to learn how to fix ceiling fan chains.

A broken ceiling fan chain, or one that becomes stuck or jammed, is a common problem. Even during normal use, the weak beaded metal pull chain can easily break with a moderate pull. The great news is that 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. 

Before You Begin

There are two types of ceiling fan chain breaks: external or internal to the fan housing. The first repair is simple and takes only a few minutes. The second repair is more involved and usually requires some disassembly.

External: When the ceiling fan chain breaks outside of the fan housing, it usually breaks somewhere at the mid-point. The break is visible and easily accessible. This kind of break can be repaired with an extension chain.

Internal: When the ceiling fan chain breaks inside of the fan housing, the entire visible portion of the chain has broken off, and the remaining chain has disappeared inside of the fan housing. This becomes a pull chain switch replacement project.

Tip

So many ceiling fan chains break and disappear internally—rather than in the more convenient external spot—because the hole on the fan housing is a friction point. With the chain continually rubbing against the sides of the metal collar, breakage is inevitable.

Safety Considerations

Cut power to the ceiling fan by flipping off the switch on the wall. 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.

Be careful when working on the ladder. Have an assistant work with you to hold the ladder.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • 6-foot step ladder
  • Voltage tester
  • Wire stripper
  • Manual screwdriver
  • Pliers (optional)
  • Soft rag (optional)

Materials

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

Instructions

Materials and tools to fix a ceiling fan chain

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  1. Decide if the Repair is External or Internal

    If the remaining ceiling fan chain on the ceiling fan extends at least 1/2-inch out of the fan housing, it is an external repair. That means 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 approach.

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

    When no ceiling fan chain is visible, it is an internal repair. This likely means that the pull within the ceiling fan has broken near or inside the ceiling fan pull switch. In that case, proceed to the next step.

    External ceiling fan chain broken with need for an extension

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  2. Open the Ceiling Fan Base

    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. Gently pull off the removable section. Leave it attached by its wires to the ceiling fan base.

    Light bulbs removed from ceiling fan base

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  3. Remove the Metal Collar

    Unscrew the metal collar through which the ceiling fan 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.

    Metal collar around fan chain removed by unscrewing with fingers

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  4. Pull out the Pull Chain Switch

    Locate the ceiling fan 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 usually attached to the fan with three or four wires.

    Warning

    Do not attempt to fix or take apart a 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.

    Pull chain switch unit removed from ceiling fan base

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  5. Cut the Wires to the Ceiling Fan Chain Switch

    With the wire stripper, use the cutting section to snip off the three or four wires that attach the ceiling fan 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.

    Wire stripper cutting wires from ceiling fan chain switch

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  6. Attach the New Pull Switch to the Ceiling Fan

    After stripping the plastic from the wires to expose the copper wire, attach the three or four wires of the new ceiling fan chain pull switch to the fan's wires per the new switch kit instructions. Twist together the wires. Top off each connection with a plastic wire nut.

    Tip

    Be very careful to match the wiring of the old switch with the wiring of the new switch.

    New pull switch wires twisted and connected under plastic wire nut

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  7. Thread the Pull Chain Through the Hole

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

    Pull chain threaded through the ceiling fan base

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  8. Reassemble and Test the Ceiling Fan

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

    Lower section of ceiling fan reassembled before testing

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee