Are you trying to revive dead buttons on your range hood but aren’t sure how to do it?
You’re not alone! Range hoods are great helpers when there’s a ton of smoke in the kitchen, but they aren’t at all cheap, so having one with dead buttons can turn a great day into a bad one.
I know how annoying it can be to have your range hood’s buttons be unresponsive to your interaction – especially when you paid good money for the appliance or if it’s brand-new. But don’t worry; you’ve come to the right place for answers. Below, you’ll find a list including 5 things you can try to revive your range hood’s buttons.
When you’re trying to revive dead buttons on your range hood, you can try cleaning the buttons area, inspecting the button’s electrical connections, replacing the dead buttons, and replacing the Control Board. In more severe cases, you can also try replacing the range hood’s motor and calling a technician.
Keep reading to revive your range hood’s dead buttons!
Why There Are Dead Buttons on Your Range Hood
There are many possible reasons why your range hood’s buttons are dead – from something as simple as dirt and dust buildup to a more complex situation that requires the replacement of the appliance’s motor.
I find that, although all possibilities should be considered, there are some common culprits when it comes to dead range hood buttons. To help save you time, money, and effort, here are the things I typically consider first in these situations.
#1 Dirt and Dust
The first possible reason why your range hood’s buttons are dead is that you haven’t cleaned the appliance in a while. Range hood buttons can be delicate, and if they’re not cleaned often, over time, dirt and other gunk can collect in and around them, preventing them from working normally and even making contact with the control interface behind them.
As you cook, some of the food and grease particles the range hood sucks in go inside the buttons and can become problematic if left unattended for long.
Solution: Use a damp cloth to remove any external dirt on the range hood’s buttons. You can also prepare a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar that will not only clean the area but also disinfect it and remove any unwanted smells.
If you want to be extra thorough, you can also clean the panel behind the buttons, but for that, you’ll need to disassemble part of the range hood. We’ll get to disassembling the appliance later in this article, but for now, please ensure the external area of the buttons is squeaky clean.
#2 Electrical Connection Issues
The next possible reason why you’re stuck trying to revive dead range hood buttons is that the electrical connections behind the buttons are loose, frayed, or broken entirely. Range hoods are assembled carefully to last for a decade or more, but sometimes, the cables connecting one component to another can move enough to cause problems.
It’s also possible that the electrical layout in your home is interfering with the appliance’s connections, but that’s highly unlikely.
Solution: To check your range hood’s button connections, you’ll need to disassemble the front panel of the appliance to gain comfortable access to the buttons’ layout. Luckily, the process is very simple:
- Cut power to the range hood (or your kitchen in general) from the circuit breakers.
- Remove the baffle/grease filter.
- Look and reach inside the range hood and locate the button assembly.
- Check the cable connecting the button’s assembly panel to the rest of the appliance and ensure it’s not frayed, loose, or broken.
If you don’t notice anything out of the ordinary, please read on, as there are many more things to try before reaching out to a professional.
#3 Damaged Buttons
Next, let’s consider damaged buttons as another possible reason why you’re currently dealing with this situation. You’re probably thinking, “It’s obvious that I’m dealing with damaged buttons; otherwise, I wouldn’t be reading this article“. And while I agree, it’s important to look at the specifics as a whole, since, as you’ve seen thus far, there can be many things unrelated to the actual range hood’s buttons to blame.
In my experience, damaged range hood buttons can happen as a result of improper use, normal wear and tear, short circuits, factory defects, and more.
Solution: Replacing range hood buttons is super easy. Follow the steps from the previous section to gain comfortable access to the buttons’ control panel, and then carefully disconnect it from the range hood. To get a new set of buttons, you’ll need to check your User Manual to find the part model number.
If you no longer have the manual handy, please refer to our free resource below to find it and locate the right part.
#4 A Bad Control Board
Moving on, let’s now consider a bad Control Board as the reason your range hood’s buttons are dead. The Control Board in your range hood is responsible for allowing all the components inside the appliance to communicate and transform your settings into commands for the unit.
When the Control Board works normally, your range good will adjust its settings to your liking and be responsive to any buttons you press. However, if there’s anything wrong with the part, I’ve found it’s common to notice the buttons are unresponsive and the appliance, in general, acts strange.
Replacing a range hood’s Control Board is not typically cheap. Depending on the brand and model you own, you might be looking at $150 or more for the part. Some lower-end models have cheaper circuit boards, but that will vary greatly from model to model.
Solution: My usual advice is to leave the job to a professional. Control Boards must be connected to all other range hood components by referring to a wiring diagram, and the entire process can be somewhat complex.
Please ensure you buy the right part for the replacement, as you don’t want to be stuck with a brand-new Control Board that you won’t be able to install!
#5 A Faulty Motor
The last possible reason why your range hood’s buttons appear to be dead is a faulty motor. Sometimes, you can be tricked into thinking the buttons are failing as you press them, and the range hood doesn’t activate. However, in some rare and unfortunate cases, the lack of functioning is not due to bad buttons but rather something more serious and expensive to repair.
Your range hood’s motor is responsible for the air extraction you’re used to. When the motor works normally, the appliance will pull in air and exhaust it outside your home to keep your kitchen smoke-free and safe from unwanted smells. But when the motor fails, it’s likely that the range hood won’t turn on at all.
Solution: A telltale sign that the motor is failing and not the range hood’s buttons is that the light button and the light work, but the extraction process doesn’t.
Since the range hood is practically an expensive doorstop without a functioning motor, my usual advice is to replace the part over buying a new appliance, as installation costs of a new range hood can be very high – especially if ductwork is involved.
Please contact a professional technician you trust for a quotation on a range hood motor replacement and a second opinion on whether changing the motor is necessary. Typically, technicians have good relationships with manufacturers and vendors and are often given discounts that can help the replacement be less of a burden on your finances.
If All Else Fails, Get Help
If you’ve tried everything on this list and your range hood buttons are still dead, something more serious is going on. Since many of the issues left to cover are very complex, I strongly recommend you call a technician to your home so they can take a look at the problem and determine the course of action.
I’m all for helping people DIY appliance repairs and home projects, but when there’s the need for expert knowledge and skills, it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Will Your Warranty Cover Repairs?
It depends. If the damage that’s causing your range hood’s buttons to be unresponsive has appeared due to factory defects, it’s likely that your manufacturer can send in a technician for inspection and cover the cost of labor and repair parts entirely.
However, it’s unlikely that the repairs will be covered if the damage has appeared due to improper use, short circuits, or overworking the appliance beyond the manufacturer’s specifications. Please check your range hood’s warranty document to see whether you’re covered and under which situations.
Depending on the manufacturer, you can expect different warranty periods. The standard is a 1-year limited warranty, but some manufacturers can offer 3 years or more. Typically, longer warranties will offer to cover both the cost of parts and labor during the first year and only the cost of parts thereafter.
Reviving Your Range Hood’s Dead Buttons
That about covers it!
When your range hood has unresponsive or dead buttons, it’s natural to feel concerned about what the repairs will cost you.
Luckily, as I hope this piece has helped you better understand, addressing the most common causes behind dead range hood buttons can be very easy and quick. More often than not, something as simple as cleaning the button area thoroughly and ensuring there are no loose connections between the buttons and the rest of the appliance will do the trick.
Thanks for reading. If this article was useful and answered your most burning questions, please check out our other resources and free guides below and consider subscribing to our newsletter.
Have a wonderful week!
-Craig.
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