Are your range hood buttons stuck, and you’re desperately trying to release them?
That sucks! But you might find comfort in knowing that you’re not alone and that the issue is a lot more common than you think.
I understand how inconvenient it can be to have your range hood’s buttons get stuck, as the appliance is one of the main barriers between you and a kitchen full of smoke. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place for answers. Below, you’ll find a list including 3 easy fixes for stuck range hood buttons.
When your range hood’s buttons are stuck, try cleaning the button area, use spray lubricant, or try replacing the stuck buttons as a last resort.
Keep reading to release those stuck, stubborn buttons!
Why There Are Stuck Buttons in Your Range Hood
Range Hoods are wonderful appliances that come in handy in the kitchen when we’re cooking something that releases a lot of smoke or smells too strong. I’ve found that there are many possible reasons why range hood buttons stick – from dirt and grease buildup to locked mechanisms and damage.
To help you save time, money, and effort, I’ve listed the simplest fixes to the issue below so you can try them as soon as possible and get everything back to normal.
#1 Clean the Area Thoroughly
Let’s start off by talking about your range hood maintenance habits. Like any other appliance in your home, your range hood needs frequent cleaning and filter replacement in order to deliver the results you expect.
Over time, dirt and grease from the foods you cook can build up on the buttons both inside and outside the control panel. When there’s excess dirt, the buttons in your range hood might not go down all the way to make contact with the control interface, causing them to appear unresponsive, or they might get stuck.
Solution: Clean the button area thoroughly using a damp cloth and warm water. If you want to go the extra mile, you can prepare a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar that, in my experience, will not only clean the area but also disinfect it and eliminate any unwanted lingering smells.
Once you’ve cleaned the button area properly, see if the button was released. If not, you’ll also have to clean the button panel from the inside. We’ll get to that later, but for now, please keep reading for another potential solution.
#2 Use Spray Lubricant
From what I’ve seen, spraying lubricant on stuck range hood buttons can go a long way in releasing them. Sometimes, your range hood’s buttons can become locked with their internal mechanisms, causing them to stick and not move.
Typically, products like WD40 can help loosen the lock and help any stuck mechanism release and get everything back to normal.
Solution: You can use any lubricant you want. My usual advice is to place a towel or napkins beneath where you’ll spray the lubricant to prevent leaks and making a mess on your kitchen floor. After a couple of minutes, the lubricant should have done its job and released the stuck buttons. If not, that’s okay; there’s one more thing you can try below.
#3 Replace the Stuck Button(s)
When all else fails, you can try replacing the stuck buttons as a last resort. Most range hoods don’t have individual buttons but rather a button interface that’s connected to the Control Board. You’ll have to access your range hood from the inside to check where the button interface is and replace it.
Solution: Luckily, replacing the button assembly is fairly easy and quick, so if you’re left with no options at this point, the process won’t be a challenge. Here’s what you have to do:
- 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.
- Give the area a good, thorough cleaning and see if the buttons are released. If not, you have further confirmation that dirt buildup isn’t to blame but rather damage to one or more of the buttons.
From what I’ve seen, depending on your range hood’s brand and model, the button interface assembly can be more or less expensive. Please check your User Manual, as you’ll likely find the right part model number for the replacement part there.
If you no longer have the manual, please refer to our free resource below.
Releasing Stuck Range Hood Buttons
That about covers it!
When your range hood has stuck buttons, it’s normal to feel frustrated and worried about the potential cost of repairs to solve the issue.
Luckily, as I hope this piece has helped you better understand, addressing the most common causes behind stuck range hood buttons is easy and quick. More often than not, something as simple as cleaning the button area or replacing the button assembly 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 great day!
-Craig.
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