How to replace a ceiling fan remote and receiver
Step-by-Step Guide: Replacing a Fan Remote and Receiver
After you have done everything you could to get your fan remote working and still failed, then you can solve it by simply replacing the ceiling fan remote and the receiver. The process may seem complicated at first, but once I learned how to do it, it turned out it was a straightforward task.
Here is how I did it:
1. Get a Compatible Remote and Receiver Kit
The first step you need to take is finding the right replacement kit. I first checked the model number and fan’s brand name which is usually available on the fan as well as the manual. Most fan manufacturers offer compatible remote and receiver kits, they are easily available online as well as at the hardware store. If you are not sure about the compatibility, get help from the store or go through the product description online.
2. Turn Off the Power
Safety is the priority. Before you begin anything, you should go to the circuit breaker like me and turn off the power to the unit. I do not do the job by simply turning off the fan from the switch; I always go to the circuit breaker to cut the whole power to prevent the risk of electrical shock when working on the wiring.
3. Remove the Fan’s Canopy
After doing so, I took a ladder and screwdriver. Most ceiling fans use canopy to hide the wiring which is found where the fan connects to the ceiling. I removed the canopy by unscrewing it, keep the screws in a safe place to avoid misplacement. After removing the canopy, the wiring and the old receiver were visible.
4. Disconnect the Old Receiver
After that, I checked the old receiver which was pushed inside the fan’s mounting bracket. I checked the wiring before disconnecting it. usually, it is associated with the house wiring and the fan wiring via wire nuts. I carefully untwist the wire nuts to move apart the wires, and uninstall the current receiver entirely.
5. Install the New Receiver
After removing the old receiver, I get the new one from the kit. The most important thing to do is to follow the wiring instructions of the new receiver, but in my experience, the wiring process is not a complex one. the receiver provides power, neutral and ground wiring which is associated with the corresponding wires from the ceiling and fan. I use wire nuts to connect them in order to secure each connection.
6. Tuck the Receiver and Replace the Canopy
After completing the wiring, I carefully tucked the receiver back into the fan bracket, and I made sure that none of the wires were exposed or pinched. I placed the canopy back, as it was placed earlier. It is highly recommended to check everything once again to ensure it is properly secured.
7. Test the New Remote
Now, it is time to do the remote testing so I go to the circuit breaker to turn on the power. Before I start the process, I go through the remote instruction to ensure if there are any pairing steps such as the dip switches, or remote syncing to the fan. After that, I use the remote to turn on the fan to check if everything is functional.
8. Troubleshooting (If Required)
If the fan does not communicate instantly, I will check the wiring again and ensure that the receiver is tucked in properly. At times, I have had to run the power again to reset the fan and go through the pairing procedure again. Usually, if everything is properly connected, the fan should be able to reply to the commands of the new remote without any issues.
It might look difficult to replace a fan remote and receiver, but once I did all the steps, it turned out to be a doable task. After following the safety measures and wiring instructions, the whole process was of more or less an hour. Now, my fan is properly working again, and my new remote is used to control it.
This guide has a clear, step-by-step guide on replacing both the fan remote and receiver.
Step by Step Video Tutorial on How to Replace a Harbor Breeze Fan Remote and Receiver
The instructions were pretty clear in written form but a video might make the instructions on how to replace your fan remote and receiver easier. In our opinion, if you want to replace the receiver, it means that you have done everything and now it is time to replace that receiver. In general, you will have to change both if you are getting a new remote which is not the original one that came in the package of the fan.