Noisy range or exhaust hood: A troubleshooting guide
Samantha Bullington / Friday November 24, 2023
If your range or exhaust hood is making loud or unpleasant sounds, the cause may be a worn-out motor or other parts. While the issue is frustrating, it’s usually a straightforward DIY fix.
If you end up needing replacement parts for your range, grab your model number and enter it at AppliancePartsPros.com to find what you need.
Let’s walk through how you can troubleshoot, diagnose and repair your noisy range hood.
Disclaimer: The troubleshooting information provided in this article is based on general service manuals and may not apply to your specific appliance model. While we strive to offer helpful advice for DIY appliance repairs, variations in models and configurations can lead to differences in troubleshooting steps, error codes and part replacements. For the most accurate guidance, we strongly recommend consulting the technical sheet for your specific appliance model.
Read More: 5 Common Mistakes That Shorten The Lifespan Of Appliances
What causes a noisy range or exhaust hood?
There are a few mechanical issues that can cause a range hood to become abnormally noisy while it’s running. Here are some of the most common culprits:
Clogged air filter
The removable metal grease filters trap cooking residues and particles from the air passing through. Over time, this debris can build up and clog the filter mesh.
Heavily blocked filters cause airflow to become restricted. This can cause the air to sound louder as it passes through the filter as it’s trying to pass through smaller holes.
Remember to clean or replace the metal filters regularly to prevent blockage issues.
Loose parts
Various fasteners, screws, and mounts hold the range hood assembly together. Vibration from using the range hood can cause these small parts to loosen or rattle over time.
Check that all ducting clamps, motor mounts, housing screws, and other hardware are tightened and secure. If anything is loose, tighten and adjust as needed.
Damaged fan blade
The fan (also called an impeller wheel) is responsible for drawing air through the vent hood. Like the motor, this part can also become damaged or worn out from prolonged use.
Issues like cracks, dents, build-up, or warping of a fan blade(s) can throw off the fan’s balance and alignment. This can cause rubbing, vibration, and other noises.
- Check the blades to see if they spin freely without any wobbling or obstruction.
- Feel the fan for any rough areas when rotating it by hand.
- Remove any debris that may be causing it to drag.
If the fan blades are damaged or unable to move smoothly, you’ll need to replace the fan. The surrounding blower housing may also need replacement if it’s cracked or warped.
Worn-out blower motor
The blower motor contains bearings that allow the motor shaft to spin smoothly. Over time, these motor bearings slowly wear out, causing the shaft to bind and make loud noises as it struggles to turn.
The noise may come in the form of grinding, squeaking, humming, or other abrasive sounds. It tends to get worse over time as the bearings deteriorate further.
You may be able to temporarily fix older range hood motors by lubricating the bearings. Some have oil spouts specifically designed for this. Adding a bit of motor oil can free up the shaft and allow it to spin quietly again.
Most newer blower motors don’t have oil spouts, and attempting to lubricate sealed bearings may do more harm than good. In these models, you’ll need to replace the worn-out motor.
Read More: Why It’s Best to Choose OEM Over Aftermarket Parts for Appliance Repairs
Downdraft issues
In down-draft range hoods, an incorrect seal can allow air leaks at the ducting joints. This can create turbulence that translates to noise.
Make sure your range hood ducting is secure and sealed with metal tape or clamps. The venting outlet on the cooktop should also have a tight seal to prevent air suction leaks.
Read More: Making Your Home Appliances Last Longer: An Overview of Average Lifespans
Troubleshooting steps
Try to locate the source of the noise
Turn on the hood vent and listen closely to pinpoint where the noise seems loudest or most pronounced. This will give you clues about the root cause, which could be any of the following:
- Motor area – likely related to worn-out motor bearings
- Fan blade – may be damaged or have an obstructed wheel
- Throughout ducting – could mean air leaks or loose parts
- Filter area – likely related to clogged filter mesh
Make sure the filter is clean
- Turn off the range hood and disconnect it from the power source.
- Slide out the metal filter mesh.
- Check for any heavy grease build-up or blockage.
- If the filter is clogged, clean it with hot soapy water.
- Allow the filter to fully dry before reinstalling.
Range hood filters should be cleaned every few months as part of routine care and maintenance.
Check the mounting and ducting
Make sure all of the following physical connections and supports are tight and secure:
- Motor mount screws/bolts
- Fan blade screws
- Duct cover and transition clamps
- Outlet/damper seal
Tighten any loose fittings that could be rattling or leaking air. You may also be able to seal duct leaks with metal tape.
Check the fan blades
- Turn off the range hood and disconnect it from the power source.
- If you have a range hood with exposed fan blades, inspect it for any cracks, dents, warping, or build-up on the blade surface. On a range hood with an enclosed fan housing, you may need to detach the cover to inspect the blade.
- Carefully clean the blade if needed to remove any stuck-on grease.
- Give the fan blade a spin to feel for grinding, rubbing, or imbalance. If the blade wobbles or you find any physical damage, you’ll need to replace it.
- Make sure the mounting is tight. Tighten up any loose areas.
Inspect the blower motor
- Turn off the range hood and disconnect it from the power source.
- Remove the filter.
- Visually inspect the motor mounts, wiring, and surrounding area. Look for any components that are loose, vibrating, or rubbing.
- Give the blower wheel a spin to check for smooth rotation.
- Use your fingers to feel for any rough spots at the motor bearings.
If the blower wheel spins freely, the motor is likely okay. Any rough rotation or difficulty spinning indicates worn-out motor bearings, which would need to be replaced.
Read More: My part is no longer available! What do I do now?
Test the range hood
After looking at all the potential problem areas and making any necessary repairs, turn on the vent hood at low and high speeds and listen for noise.
If you still hear loud or strange noises, you’ll need to investigate the issue further.
Read More: How to Protect Your Appliances in a Power Outage
Additional information
We hope this guide has helped you better understand your range hood and get to the bottom of its noise.
Thanks for reading! If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, you can find other resources and our DIY blog at AppliancePartsPros.com. There, you can enter your model number to order the exact parts you need. Most orders arrive in 2-3 business days.
We’re here to help! You can reach our award-winning customer service team at 1-877-477-7278, chat with a pro on our website, and watch thousands of free video tutorials on our YouTube channel.
Hey there, I’m Samantha and I’m super excited to be a part of the Appliance Parts Pros team! With 9 years of experience, I’ve had the awesome opportunity to assist countless customers in troubleshooting their home appliances and finding DIY repair solutions.