How to Remove a Ceiling Fan in 5 Steps

Taking down your ceiling fan is a breeze

Elderly bearded man works to install a paddle fan on the ceiling at home
Photo: lucigerma / iStock / Getty Images
Elderly bearded man works to install a paddle fan on the ceiling at home
Photo: lucigerma / iStock / Getty Images
Derek Rose
Written by Derek Rose
Contributing Writer
Updated Jul 17, 2024
SKILL LEVEL
Simple
COMPLETION TIME
30 minutes
COST
$0
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
  • Phillips head
  • Flat-head screwdriver
  • Step ladder or tall ladder
  • Voltage tester (optional)

Ceiling fans provide your living spaces with a comfortable, cool breeze during hot summer days, help circulate air, and add style to your home decor. But if your ceiling fan wears out or you decide to replace it, it’s time to take it down. Fortunately, removing a ceiling fan is an easy job you can do yourself with only a few tools and DIY skills. Follow the steps in this guide to remove a ceiling fan like a pro.

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  1. Switch Off the Power

    Before you handle your ceiling fan or anything with electricity, practice safety first and cut off the power to your fan. This includes turning off the power at the circuit breaker and making sure the light switch powering your fan is switched off. As an added safety measure, consider using a voltage tester before disconnecting the wiring.

  2. Remove the Lighting

    Electrician repairing ceiling fan
    Photo: LifestyleVisuals / iStock / Getty Images

    If your ceiling fan has lighting attached, you’ll need to remove the light bulbs and globes or covers first. Start by removing the globes if they cover the light bulbs. Some globes can be unscrewed by hand, while others may need a screwdriver to loosen and remove the screws holding the cover in place. Once you have the globes removed, unscrew the light bulbs and keep them in a safe place—you may be able to use them again.

    Some flush-mount ceiling fans include a light kit that needs to be removed in order to reach the screws attaching the fan to the ceiling. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws from the light kit that secures it to the fan’s housing. Then, disconnect the wiring from the light kit to the fan.

  3. Remove the Fan Blades

    In order to access the top of the fan, you’ll need to take off the fan blades. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws attaching the blade bracket to the fan’s housing. Leave the bracket attached to the blade to save you the work of removing more screws than is necessary. Repeat this step for all the other blades.

  4. Remove the Fan Housing Body

    Woman on ladder renovating room
    Photo: Klaus Vedfelt / DigitalVision / Getty Images

    To disconnect the fan’s wiring from the wiring in the ceiling, the fan’s housing body will need to be removed.

    Flush-mount fans: With flush-mount fans, remove the body of the fan directly from the ceiling bracket. Most of these fans are attached to the bracket by a screw on one side and a hinge on the other. Use a screwdriver to remove the screw and allow the body to hang from the hinge as you disconnect the wires. Then, remove the body from the hinge on the bracket.

    Downrod fans: For downrod fans, you’ll first need to remove the canopy cover. Use a screwdriver to remove the canopy’s screws. With the canopy removed, you can access the wiring to disconnect it from the ceiling wiring. Remove the plastic caps that connect the wires, then cover the ceiling wires with the caps. Slide the ball at the end of the downrod out of the mounting bracket to remove the fan. Be careful—fans tend to be heavy. You may need another person to help you lower it carefully to the floor or a nearby table.

  5. Remove the Mounting Bracket

    Once the fans are removed from the ceiling, your final step will be to remove the mounting bracket. This is especially important if you plan to replace a ceiling fan with a new one, as your new fan will have its own mounting bracket and may not match your old fan.

    Use a screwdriver to remove the screws attaching the mounting bracket to the ceiling electrical box. Most mounting brackets contain at least two screws that secure it to the ceiling. Replace the screws in the electrical box in case you need it later. If you plan on reusing your old ceiling fan, keep the mounting bracket with the rest of the fan’s hardware.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Remove a Ceiling Fan

Whether you’re a novice or an experienced DIYer, removing a ceiling fan is a task that is relatively easy to do. However, if you’re uncomfortable with the idea of handling electrical wiring or find the idea of handling the job yourself too daunting, hire a local ceiling fan professional to help. Not only will they remove your ceiling fan, but they can also investigate any concerns such as a wobbling ceiling fan, make any necessary repairs, and handle a new ceiling fan installation.

If you decide to go with a pro, the total cost to remove a ceiling fan is around $100 to $500, depending on the type and number of ceiling fans you have. A ceiling fan installation costs from $140 to $350, on average.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Ceiling Fan?

The cost to replace a ceiling fan ranges from $100 to $300. It’s similar to yet slightly cheaper than the price of installing a new ceiling fan, which is about $250 on average. If complex wiring is involved, the price may greatly increase. Fortunately, most ceiling fan replacements can utilize the existing wiring.

Like most home tasks, the DIY route is cheaper than hiring a pro. If you can replace a ceiling fan yourself, expect to save between $50 to $200 compared to paying for an electrician to do the job.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are several telltale signs to let you know that your ceiling fan needs servicing or replacement. For instance, if it’s wobbling, rotating too slowly, or if your ceiling fan is making noise such as squeaks, buzzes, and thumps, it’s time to have it looked at by a professional. Not only may it indicate a potential problem with the fan itself, but it could also signal a red flag that it’s improperly assembled or there’s an issue with the wiring.

If you’re removing a ceiling fan without visible screws, start by locating the fan canopy—a round cover placed above the fan blades and motor. There should be a thin ring that can be turned counterclockwise to remove the canopy and reveal the screws. After unscrewing the fan, you can disconnect the wires and remove the entire fan from the mounting hardware. For safety, make sure the fan switch is turned off before you remove the canopy. It may be easier to remove the fan blades first, too.

The direction your ceiling fan spins helps create comfortable airflow in your home and can also help cut down on energy costs. 

During summer, your ceiling fan should spin counterclockwise. This will push cooler air downward in a column and help lower your room’s air temperature. In the winter, set your ceiling fan to spin clockwise and at the lowest speed setting. This will pull cool air upwards, displacing the warm air that pools towards the top of your ceiling and bringing it down towards the floor.

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Learn more about our contributor
Derek Rose
Written by Derek Rose
Contributing Writer
Derek is a contributing writer with more than five years of professional experience covering topics that include interior design, hardware, home appliances, and more. He finds lawn mowing, weed whacking, and stacking firewood among the utmost therapeutic tasks.

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