Range hood
error codes,
read properly.

The hood has counted enough hours of fan time to ask for its filters: the mesh or baffle grease filters want a wash, or on a recirculating hood the charcoal filters want replacing. Most hoods count hours rather than measure grease, so the light comes on whether the filters are clean or not, and it stays on until it is reset with the key the manual names. A reminder that returns straight after a reset, or a hood that still pulls weakly with fresh filters, is worth a visit.

Usually leads to

Range hood filter and baffle service

Shows up as

Range Hood Runs but Barely Pulls SmokeGrease or Oily Water Dripping From the Range HoodReading a Range Hood Error Code or Blinking Light

A sensor inside the canopy has stopped telling the control a believable story: the heat sensor that starts the fan when the air above the burners gets hot, or on some hoods a sensor that reads grease or steam to set the speed. One that reads hot all the time keeps the blower running with the burners long cold; one that reads nothing leaves the automatic mode doing nothing. The sensor, its wiring and the canopy around it are checked at the visit.

Usually leads to

Range hood heat sensor repair

Shows up as

Range Hood Fan Won't Turn OffRange Hood Fan Not Working at Any SpeedReading a Range Hood Error Code or Blinking Light

The electronics that read the keys and switch the fan and the lights have flagged a problem with themselves: a key the board thinks is held down, a membrane keypad worn through or soaked with grease and steam, a speed relay that stuck closed, or a board that lost its settings in a surge. A breaker reset clears a one-off; a code that returns, or a hood that ignores its keys entirely, needs the keypad and the board tested.

Usually leads to

Range hood control board repair

Shows up as

Range Hood Buttons or Keypad Not RespondingRange Hood Fan Stuck on One SpeedRange Hood Fan Won't Turn OffReading a Range Hood Error Code or Blinking Light

Something along the path of the air has stopped moving as it should: a motorized backdraft damper that no longer opens when the fan starts, one that sticks open and lets cold air or rain in, or on a downdraft the lift motor and its limit switches that raise the vent behind the burners. A damper taped shut since installation or a pan handle dropped into a downdraft slot can bring on the same code, so the easy checks come first.

Usually leads to

Range hood damper and duct repair

Shows up as

Cold Draft or a Flapping Damper Through the Range HoodRange Hood Runs but Barely Pulls SmokePop-Up Downdraft Vent Not RisingReading a Range Hood Error Code or Blinking Light

The board saw the supply dip, spike or vanish and stopped the hood to protect itself: after a storm, an outage, a surge or a breaker that tripped. The trouble is as often the circuit, the junction box above the hood or a remote blower's separate feed as the hood itself. One breaker cycle usually clears it; a breaker that trips again, or any hot smell, means it stays off and a technician traces the circuit.

Usually leads to

Range hood diagnostic visit

Shows up as

Range Hood Keeps Tripping Its BreakerRange Hood Fan Not Working at Any SpeedRange Hood Buttons or Keypad Not RespondingReading a Range Hood Error Code or Blinking Light