Fan won't turn off
When pressing off does nothing, the switch contacts or the control board are typically to blame. We check which one is stuck.
Serving Des Plaines & nearby Mount Prospect, Park Ridge
Range Hood Repair in Des Plaines, IL
Fan dead, lights out or a hood that rattles and roars? We repair range hoods in Des Plaines and tell you plainly when replacing makes more sense.
- Technicians covering Des Plaines ZIP 60016, 60018
- Diagnosis first, then a written price for the repair
- Honest advice when replacing makes more sense
Range hood problems we fix in Des Plaines
Most range hood failures come down to a handful of parts: the fan motor, the blower wheel, the switch or control board, the lights and the backdraft damper. In Des Plaines we find which one has quit, replace it with the right part and make sure the hood pulls air again.
Burning smell when the fan runs
If the hood smells hot, stop using it. We check the motor, the wiring connections and how much grease has built up around them.
Backdraft damper stuck open or shut
If you feel a cold draft from the hood in winter, the backdraft damper usually isn't closing. Grease or a bent flap is the common cause.
Dripping grease or water from the hood
We trace drips back to filters, the duct or the roof jack, then clean, seal or replace whatever is letting it through.
Buttons or touch panel not responding
Unresponsive controls can sometimes be cleared by cutting power for a minute; when they can't, we replace the keypad or board.
Fan not working but the light is
Working lights mean the hood has power. A dead fan then points to the switch, the control board, a thermal cutoff or a failed motor.
Loud rattling or grinding
We listen to where the noise starts, then tighten, rebalance or replace the wheel, motor mount or damper.
Hood that hums but won't spin
Humming without spinning is a classic sign the motor is getting power but can't start. Often a new motor is the fix.
Where we look first
- Fan motor replacementWorn or seized motors replaced with a motor matched to the hood.
- Blower wheel serviceGrease-packed or loose blower wheels cleaned, tightened or replaced.
- Switches and control boardsFaulty controls swapped so every speed and setting responds again.
- Lights and socketsBulbs, sockets, LED modules and light switches replaced to match the hood.
- Damper and duct checkBackdraft dampers freed or replaced, the duct and exterior cap checked for blockage.
- Filter replacementNew grease or charcoal filters fitted when the old ones are worn out.
- Noise and vibration fixesVibration traced and fixed at the motor, wheel or hood mounting.
Common fixes and parts
LightsIncandescent, halogen and LED lamps, sockets and modules.
FiltersMetal filters catch grease; charcoal filters treat odor in ductless setups.
Island hoods and insertsInserts inside custom covers, serviced through the filter opening.
Fan motors and blower wheelsThe parts that move air, and the ones most often worn out.
Under-cabinet and chimney hoodsThe most common hoods we repair, with fans and controls reachable from below.
Kitchens like yours in Des Plaines: before and after
Problem
Fixed
DetailDes Plaines kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: range hood repair
The site: a 1990s two-story colonial in Des Plaines. The kitchen as it was: white appliances and a brass chandelier over the nook. What bothered the owners most: a hood fan that stopped working. Finished kitchen: the same hood with a new fan motor and working LED lights. Work included lights and sockets, damper and duct check, plus filter replacement.
Before
AfterMount Prospect kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: range hood repair
This one is a 1990s two-story colonial in Mount Prospect. Before: black appliances and two hanging glass pendants. What bothered the owners most: a hood fan that stopped working. Finished kitchen: the same hood with a new fan motor and working LED lights. The job covered fan motor replacement, blower wheel service, plus noise and vibration fixes.
Range Hood Repair in Mount Prospect →
Before
AfterAn Elk Grove Village two-story colonial from the 1990s: before and after
A two-story colonial from the 1990s in Elk Grove Village, a typical kitchen for Elk Grove Village. The kitchen as it was: almond appliances and a fluorescent box light in the ceiling. The reason for the call: an old hood whose fan finally quit. After: the same hood with a new fan motor and working LED lights. Work included fan motor replacement, switches and control boards, plus lights and sockets.
Range Hood Repair in Elk Grove Village →
Before
AfterDes Plaines kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: residential kitchen hood cleaning
What changed: the same hood with clean, shining filters.
Residential Kitchen Hood Cleaning in Des Plaines →
Before
AfterA Des Plaines 1960s ranch: before and after
What changed: cabinets in light butter yellow with satin brass pulls, creamy quartzite-look quartz counters, a green zellige-look tile backsplash, warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Des Plaines →How the repair goes
- Describe the problemA photo of the label behind the filter and a short description help us bring the likely parts.
- Diagnosis on siteWe test the hood in place and find the failed part.
- Repair or replaceYou get a written estimate for the repair, or a straight recommendation to replace.
- Fix and testWe repair, reassemble and run the hood before leaving.
Range Hood Repair questions from Des Plaines homeowners
Why does my range hood fan not work but the light does?
The hood has power, so the problem is in the fan side: switch, board or motor. We test them in order.
Is a noisy range hood worth repairing?
Usually yes, unless the hood is old and its parts are gone. We find the source of the noise first.
When should I replace a range hood instead of repairing it?
If the repair costs close to a new hood, or the old one never vented well, replacement is the better spend.
Why do I feel cold air coming from my hood?
The backdraft damper isn't closing. Grease, a bent flap or a missing damper lets outside air in.
Can you replace just the fan motor?
Usually. Motor replacement is one of the most common hood repairs.
Do I need a permit for range hood repair in Des Plaines?
It depends on the scope. Des Plaines's rule in short: A building permit is required for any residential kitchen remodel; non-structural work uses the Kitchen/Bath Non-Structural permit ($150 fee, rough and final inspections). We handle the permit when one is needed with Community and Economic Development Department - Building Division.
Do you work in my part of Des Plaines?
Yes. Our crews work across Des Plaines — ZIP 60016, 60018 — and nearby Mount Prospect, Park Ridge, Elk Grove Village.
Working in Des Plaines
- A lot of Des Plaines kitchens date from the 1960s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Des Plaines homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community and Economic Development Department - Building Division handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60016ZIP 60018
Range Hood Repair nearby
Other kitchen services in Des Plaines
Range Hood InstallationUnder-cabinet, chimney, island and insert hoods, ducted to the outside.
Residential Kitchen Hood CleaningDegreased filters, fan, hood interior and the duct you can reach.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.
Cabinet RefacingNew doors and fronts on your existing cabinet boxes.