Replace a Bathroom Vent Fan, Easy 5 min Fix, by Rosco Reviews on YouTube. 8 min 4 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 4 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Switch off the fan at the wall switch, then kill the circuit at the breaker panel. Use a voltage tester on the fan wires to confirm the power is off before you touch anything.
Pull the plastic grille straight down to release it. Some models have a small tab or screw at the edge, so check before you pull hard.
Unplug the motor's wire harness from the socket inside the housing. Take a photo of how the wires and plug sit so you can refit them the same way.
Squeeze the mounting clips or spring tabs that hold the motor bracket and lower the old motor and blade assembly out of the housing. The metal housing stays screwed to the ceiling.
Plug the new motor in and switch the breaker back on for a moment to test that it spins. Switch the power off again before you mount anything permanently.
Write down the model number from the label on the housing before you order. Buy the matching fan assembly, or a motor only if you can't find the bracket that fits your housing.
Push the new motor and blade assembly up into the housing until the clips snap into place. Plug the harness back into its socket and tug the wires gently to check the connection.
Refit the grille by pressing it up until it clicks, then restore power at the breaker and run the fan for a minute to check airflow and noise.
Tips and common mistakes
Vacuum the blade and the inside of the housing while it is open, since built up dust is often what makes an old fan noisy.
Photograph the wiring and the model label before you remove anything, because the part number is hard to read once the motor is out.
If the fan runs but moves little air, check that the new blade is not fitted upside down before you screw the grille back on.
Never work on the fan with the switch on, even for a quick test fit, as the motor sits close to live wiring.
Questions
Do I need attic access to replace this type of fan?
No. On this Broan style fan the motor and blade assembly unclip from the housing from below, so you can do the whole job standing on a ladder in the bathroom.
Can I replace just the motor instead of the whole fan?
Yes. If you can't find a fan bracket that matches your existing housing, buy a motor only and swap it into the old bracket using the same steps.
How do I know which replacement part to buy?
Look for the model number on the label stuck to the metal housing in the ceiling, then match that number to the fan assembly or motor when you order.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
