April 19, 2023

Range Hood: Why don't my range hood's lights work?

A failed electronic control board, bad user interface control, broken light switch, bad light bulb sockets or a wiring failure can prevent the lights from working.

Unplug the range hood and check the wire harness connections between the light sockets and the control board or light switch. Reconnect any loose wires and repair any broken wires. If the wiring is okay, check the electronic control board for burn marks. Replace the control board if you see burn marks because the burn marks indicate a control board failure.

If your range hood uses a user interface control to control the lights, you may need to replace the user interface if it isn't sending signals to the electronic control board when you press user interface buttons. A user interface control is a keypad and display panel that sends signals to the electronic control board through a ribbon wire cable when you press its selection buttons. DIY testing of the user interface control isn't available for most range hood models. If the electronic control board doesn't activate the lights, you'll likely need to replace the electronic control board. If the lights still don't work after replacing the control board, you'll likely need to replace the user interface control.

If your range hood uses a switch to control the lights, unplug the range hood and test the switch for continuity using a multimeter to see if the switch allows current to flow to the lights when you turn the switch on. Replace the switch if you don't measure continuity through the switch when it's turned on.

With new light bulbs installed and the range hood unplugged, check for continuity through the light sockets with new light bulbs installed. Replace the sockets if you don't measure continuity through the sockets with new bulbs installed.

range hood

THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR RANGE HOOD PROBLEM

JC-RH-Replace-the-range-hood-electronic-control-board

Replace the range hood electronic control board

The electronic control board operates the exhaust fan and cooktop lights in the range hood. If the electronic control board is getting power but won't activate the fan or lights, replace it. The electronic control board also operates the sentry system on models equipped with that feature. Replace the electronic control board if it isn't operating the sentry system correctly.

Range hood electronic control board

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-RH-Replace-Range-Hood-Electronic-Control-Board-Intro-Image
December 01, 2013

How to replace a range hood electronic control board

If your range hood's fan or lights don't work, the electronic control board could be the problem. This step-by-step repair guide shows range hood circuit board replacement.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 45 minutes or less
JC-RH-Replace-the-range-hood-light-bulb-socket

Replace the range hood light bulb socket

The light bulb socket holds the light bulb in place and connects the electrical leads on the bulb to the power supply wiring. If a light won't turn on when activated, first try replacing the bulb. If the new bulb won't turn on, the socket could be defective. Replace the light bulb socket if it's damaged or defective.

Range hood light bulb socket

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-RH-Replace-Range-Hood-Light-Socket-Intro-Image
January 20, 2013

How to replace a range hood light socket

Just changed your range hood light bulb but it still won't come on? The light socket might be to blame. This easy-to-follow repair guides explains how to replace a range hood light socket in just 15 minutes.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
JC-RH-Replace-the-range-hood-light-switch

Replace the range hood light switch

In some range hoods, an electro-mechanical light switch controls the lights. The light switch also varies the lighting intensity in models with multiple settings for the lighting system. If the light switch doesn't work properly, replace it.

Range hood light switch

Find the required part specific to your product.

JC-RH-Replace-the-range-hood-user-interface-control

Replace the range hood user interface control

The user interface control sends selection signals to the electronic control board to operate the fan and lights in the range hood. If the electronic control board doesn't receive the selection signals when you press buttons, replace the user interface control.

Range hood user interface control

Find the required part specific to your product.

Most common symptoms to help you fix your range hoods

Choose a symptom to see related range hood repairs.

Main causes: sentry feature trips due to high cooktop temperature, bad temperature sensor, electronic control board fail…

Main causes: lack of electrical power, bad electronic control board, faulty user interface, fan and light switch failure…

Main causes: bad fan switch, electronic control board failure, faulty user interface control, wiring failure…

Main causes: electronic control board failure, bad user interface control, light and fan switch failures, wiring failure…

Main causes: loose mounting screws, bad fan motor, damaged fan blade, worn fan motor bearings…

Main causes: clogged air filters, air duct problems, fan motor failure, broken fan blade…

Main causes: bad light bulb, broken light switch, bad electronic control, user interface control failure, bad light sock…

Most common repair guides to help fix your range hoods

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your range hood.

How to replace a range hood electronic control board

How to replace a range hood electronic control board

The electronic control board activates the fan and lights in the range hood. If the electronic control board is defectiv…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 45 minutes or less
How to replace a range hood fan motor

How to replace a range hood fan motor

If the fan on the range hood won’t run, it’s likely that the fan motor has failed. Follow the steps in this guide to rep…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
How to replace a range hood fan switch

How to replace a range hood fan switch

The fan switch activates the fan motor in the range hood. If the fan switch is defective, replace it using the detailed …

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

Effective articles & videos to help repair your range hoods

Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your range hood.

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Top questions about Sears and Sears PartsDirect

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How to repair broken or damaged wires video

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Range hood common questions

Range hood common questions

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