Microwave Repair
Over-the-range, countertop and built-in microwave repair for dead units, sparking, no heat and failed exhaust fans across the Valley.
See the repairCooking
Range hood repair in Los Angeles homes and condos
A range hood that only hums, rattles or barely pulls smoke leaves grease on cabinets and odors in the house. We repair blowers, switches, lights and controls on wall, island and insert hoods.
- Phone answered 24/7
- Office in Sun Valley
- Price before the work
$135 to $245 typical for light socket or transformer
Quick answer
Range hood repair covers the blower motor, fan capacitor, speed switch or control board, lights, filters and the backdraft damper. Start by cleaning or replacing the filters, since clogged baffles cut airflow more than most failures. If the fan still hums, rattles or will not change speed, call us with the hood model and we test the motor and controls before quoting.
We repair Whirlpool, GE, Samsung, LG, KitchenAid, Bosch, Sub-Zero, Wolf, Thermador and the other names found in Valley kitchens and laundry rooms.
WhirlpoolGESamsungLGFrigidaireKitchenAidMaytagBoschSub-ZeroWolfThermadorVikingKenmoreMiele
The short version
Why a range hood loses suction or stops running
A range hood is a fan, a set of filters and a path for the air to leave. When any one of those three weakens, smoke and steam roll past the hood and settle on the cabinets. Most homeowners notice the problem as a greasy film on the upper doors or a smoke alarm that goes off while searing.
The blower motor is the heart of the hood. Its bearings dry out and start to whine, its run capacitor weakens so the fan starts slowly, or grease builds on the wheel until it wobbles. Speed switches and touch controls fail separately, so a hood can run on high but not on low.
We repair ducted and recirculating hoods, under-cabinet models, wall chimneys and islands. Custom insert blowers hidden behind wood surrounds are covered too. Each one is tested at the motor, the switch and the damper so we fix the real cause.
Parts and repairs
Range hood parts we repair and replace
Hood repairs mostly involve mechanical and electrical parts above the cooktop. We cover the burners and work from a stable step. Then we test at the motor leads and the switch and replace only what failed.
- Blower motorWe replace motors with worn bearings or open windings and match the wheel size and rotation to the original.
- Run capacitorA weak capacitor makes the fan start slowly or hum, and it is a small part that restores full speed.
- Blower wheel cleaningWe pull and degrease the wheel and housing, which often cures rattles and recovers lost airflow.
- Speed switch and control boardRocker switches, push-button sets and touch boards are tested for each speed before we order anything.
- Lights, sockets and transformersWe replace burned sockets and halogen transformers and can fit equivalent LED bulbs where the hood allows.
- Backdraft damperA damper stuck shut chokes airflow, and one stuck open lets outside air and dust back in.
- Baffle and mesh filtersBent or grease-soaked filters are replaced with the correct size so they seat without gaps.
- Charcoal filtersRecirculating hoods need fresh charcoal filters on a schedule, or they push odors straight back into the room.
Los Angeles price ranges
Typical range hood repair prices in Los Angeles
Range hood prices swing with access. An under-cabinet hood comes down in minutes. An island chimney or an insert behind a plaster surround takes more time.
| Repair | Typical range | What moves the price |
|---|---|---|
| Light socket or transformer | $135 to $245 | Halogen versus LED and number of lights |
| Run capacitor | $145 to $255 | Access to the motor housing |
| Speed switch or control board | $195 to $415 | Mechanical switch versus electronic board |
| Blower motor replacement | $265 to $585 | Single or dual blower and hood style |
| Blower wheel degrease and rebalance | $155 to $285 | How much grease has built up |
These ranges are guides, not quotes. The real price follows the failed part and the diagnosis, and we state it before we lift a tool.
Step by step
What happens on a range hood service call
Every visit follows the same order, so you always know what comes next and what it costs.
Call and describe it
Phone us any hour with the hood brand, whether it is ducted or recirculating, and what it does. We give an arrival window.
Airflow check
We run every speed with clean filters and feel the air at the hood and at the damper.
Electrical testing
The technician tests the motor, capacitor, switch and lights at their terminals with the power off at the breaker.
Price, then repair
You get the price before work starts, and we replace the part or order it by model number.
Test run
We run each speed with the burners on low and confirm the steam goes up and out of the kitchen.
Symptoms
Signs the range hood needs a repair
- Smoke rolls past the hoodIf steam escapes on high speed with clean filters, the blower or the damper is not moving enough air.
- Humming with no airflowA hum with a still fan usually means a failed run capacitor or a seized motor bearing.
- Rattle or wobble on highGrease buildup on the blower wheel or a loose mounting screw throws the wheel out of balance.
- Only one speed worksWhen low and medium are dead but high runs, the speed switch or a relay on the control board has failed.
- Lights flicker or stay darkHalogen and LED hood lights fail at the bulb, the socket or the transformer, and heat speeds that up.
- Fan will not shut offA hood that keeps running after you press off points to a stuck switch, a shorted board or a heat sensor stuck closed.
Here in the Valley
Recirculating hoods in Valley condos and apartments
Many condos and apartments in North Hollywood, Valley Village, Van Nuys and Sherman Oaks were built without a duct to the outside. Their hoods recirculate, which means the air goes through a grease filter and a charcoal filter and comes right back into the room. When the charcoal is spent, the fan still runs but cooking smells linger for hours.
In those units the hood also has to do its job with windows shut through hot summer afternoons. We check the charcoal filter date, the motor speed and the filter seating. Then we tell owners how often to change charcoal based on how much they cook.
Worth weighing
Repairing a hood versus replacing it
Most range hood failures are worth repairing. Motors, capacitors, switches and lights are standard parts. A new hood often means wall patching, new duct transitions and a different mounting height.
Replacement makes more sense when an inexpensive under-cabinet hood needs a motor, or when a decades-old hood has no parts left. If the hood was always too small for the cooktop, we will say so. We can also explain what size and airflow to look for.
Before you call
Safe range hood checks you can do
Safe checks only. If anything smells hot, sparks or involves gas, stop and call.
- Soak metal baffle or mesh filters in hot water with dish soap, then rinse and dry before refitting.
- Check the date or condition of the charcoal filter on a recirculating hood.
- Reset the breaker that feeds the hood if nothing runs at all.
- Replace a burned bulb with the same type and wattage printed on the hood label.
- Hold a tissue under the hood on high speed to compare airflow before and after cleaning the filters.
Neighborhoods and ZIP codes
Where we handle range hood repair calls
Our Sun Valley office sends technicians across the Valley and the cities around it. These are the places we visit most for range hood repair.
- Sun Valley 91352
- North Hollywood 91601
- Valley Village 91607
- Studio City 91604
- Sherman Oaks 91403
- Van Nuys 91405
- Lake Balboa 91406
- Encino 91436
- Tarzana 91356
- Woodland Hills 91364
- West Hills 91307
- Northridge 91324
- Granada Hills 91344
- Porter Ranch 91326
- Chatsworth 91311
- Mission Hills 91345
- Sylmar 91342
- Sunland-Tujunga 91040
- Burbank 91505
- Glendale 91205
- Pasadena 91101
- La Cañada Flintridge 91011
- San Fernando 91340
- Santa Clarita 91355
- Calabasas 91302
- Simi Valley 93065
- Thousand Oaks 91360
Questions
Range Hood Repair questions we hear in Los Angeles
Why is my range hood loud but barely pulling smoke?
The usual causes are clogged filters, grease on the blower wheel, or a damper stuck partly closed. Clean the filters first. If the range hood is still loud and weak, we pull and degrease the wheel and check the damper, which often brings back the airflow without new parts.
How often should range hood charcoal filters be changed?
For a recirculating range hood, charcoal filters generally need replacing every few months with regular cooking, sooner if you fry or sear often. They cannot be washed. Once the carbon is saturated, the hood moves air but stops trapping odors, so the kitchen smells longer after meals.
Can you repair a custom range hood insert inside a wood surround?
Yes. Most custom hoods use a standard insert or liner with its own blower, lights and controls. We repair the insert from below in most cases. If the blower is remote or inline in the attic, we check the access first and tell you what the repair involves.
Do you install new ductwork for a range hood?
No. Our range hood work covers the hood itself: the motor, controls, lights, filters and damper. Cutting new duct runs through walls or the roof is a separate trade, and we will tell you plainly if the existing duct is the limit on airflow.
Why does my range hood fan turn on by itself?
Many range hoods have a heat sensor that starts the fan when the cooktop below gets hot. If the fan starts with the cooktop off, the sensor or control board may be faulty. We test the sensor and board, then replace the one that is sending the false signal.
Is a humming range hood motor dangerous to keep using?
A range hood motor that hums without spinning is drawing current without moving, so it heats up. Turn it off and do not keep trying it. A failed capacitor is the common cause, and replacing it early can save the motor from burning out.
Also on our list
Related repairs
Range & Stove Repair
Freestanding and slide-in gas, electric and dual-fuel ranges with dead burners, clicking igniters or tipping risks. Repaired on site.
See the repairCooktop Repair
Induction, radiant, gas and downdraft cooktops built into counters and islands. We repair burners, zones, controls and glass from above.
See the repairGas Appliance Repair
Repair for the gas side of ranges, ovens, dryers and grills: igniters, burners, safety valves, thermocouples and flame sensors.
See the repairAppliance Maintenance
Scheduled appliance maintenance that cleans coils, descales water parts, checks hoses and tests safety parts before they fail.
See the repairNeed range hood repair today?
Call now. We answer every hour of every day and will tell you what we will check first.