Then gently pull the switch out from the inside. If your ceiling fan pull chain is broken because it was pulled out of the switch , theres an easy way to fix it. It is an easy and affordable fix to replace a broken ceiling fan pull chain. With your switch replaced, place the part of the fixture that you removed back into place on top of the wiring. Disconnect the wires attached to the old switch. Learn how to fix a ceiling fan chain pull quickly. Open up the switch in the ceiling fan and remove the broken piece of chain before replacing it with a longer one. · here are the essential items you will need to replace a broken ceiling fan chain : Pick up the lightbulbs and carefully twist each one back into place in the fixture. Pulling or twisting off the connectors that hold together the wires will disconnect them from the old switch. · in this guide, we’re going to walk you through the steps of replacing a pull chain on a ceiling fan and provide you with a few alternatives if it proves to be an impossible task. If you removed any globes or sconces that went around the bulbs, reattach these first either by twisting them back on or using a screwdriver to reinstall the screws. Unscrew the light bulbs carefully and place them on a towel nearby. Leverage open the tabs along the switch using a screwdriver. Purchase a replacement switch at your local home improvement store. Working with homeowners and businesses to get their small repairs done in a timely and efficient manner, honest lee handyman services provides gutter and dryer vent cleaning along with fixture, fence, drywall, and toilet repairs. Hold the fixture over the wiring and screw it back into place. Remove the light bulbs to prevent them from breaking. · use needle-nose pliers to remove the nut holding the switch in place. If your switch is completely broken , purchase a replacement at a local hardware store before removing the old one and insta. The first step in fixing a broken ceiling fan chain is always to determine if you can just install a new chain extension—or if you will need to replace the switch. · safe, step-by-step diy instructions for repairing a broken ceiling fan pull chain , covering diagnostics and internal switch wiring. Discard the broken chain after you’ve removed it. Take a picture of which wires are connected to the switch before disassembling it to reference the picture when putting it back together. Ask an employee at the home improvement or hardware store for help if you’re not sure which switch to buy. This article was co-authored by Look for a “ fan light switch ” or something labeled similarly. Before disconnecting anything, take a picture. Be careful not to lose any of the pieces when you pop the switch open. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the light fixture in place. Open the circuit breaker and turn the power off for the room where you’ll be working with the ceiling fan to make sure electricity isn’t still flowing when you’re removing the fan ’s parts. If you’re not sure which switch is for the room with the ceiling fan , turn off the main power just to be safe. Pop the broken chain off of the disc using a screwdriver. Ask someone to hold the fixture in place while you screw the screws back in, if desired. Disconnect the electricity by turning off the power before handling the ceiling fan. Turn the power off at the Hold it steady and use the screws to screw it back in using a screwdriver. · when you have a broken ceiling fan chain , the fix is simple and cheap. Remove each wire that’s attached to the old switch by pulling off the connectors, and take the old switch out. Set up a ladder or step stool if necessary to reach the ceiling fan easily. Locate your circuit breaker, likely either in the basement, a closet, or even outside the house. Remove the contents of the switch , including the broken piece of chain connected to a disc and the spring. All of the contents inside the switch will be loose, making it easy to simply take them out. You should see a few wires connected to it—usually 2 or 3, depending on whether it controls the light or the fan speed. See full list on wikihow. com Pop open the switch using a small screwdriver. Once you separate it into its 2 pieces, the things inside of it, like the chain and spring, will be visible. Turn the power back on through the breaker. When the chain breaks off inside the fan, you will need a new pull chain switch - less than $12 on amazon. With the switch open, remove it from the wiring by pulling the wires out from the switch. If you don’t see the spring and chain , pop off the protective plate holding them inside the switch. Either take a picture of your old switch so you know which one to purchase, or disassemble the old switch and take it with you. Put the lightbulbs back into the fixture if needed. Allen lee is a home improvement specialist and the owner of honest lee handyman services, a licensed and insured handyman business servicing sacramento, california, and surrounding areas. This article has been viewed 507,186 times. If the ceiling fan has any sconces or globes, remove these as well by unscrewing them or using a screwdriver to remove any screws. Remove the broken piece of chain from the mechanism.