A range hood has to move more than visible smoke. It handles grease, moisture and cooking by-products, which makes airflow and filtration important in busy kitchens. Fix Cheetah repairs wall, island, under-cabinet, insert and downdraft ventilation systems across Vancouver and BC.
We are warranty-authorized for Faber and Falmec and service a wide range of ventilation brands and custom installations. We also work with premium kitchen systems where the hood is integrated into cabinetry or paired with a remote or inline blower.
A hood can have a healthy motor and still perform badly if a filter is saturated, a damper is stuck, a duct is restricted or the building ventilation system limits airflow. Our diagnosis looks beyond the switch on the wall.
Less obvious signs your hood needs repair
Ventilation problems often begin with small changes before the fan stops completely.
- Grease appearing around the hood or duct connection
- Water dripping from the hood during cold weather
- Flapping or tapping from the duct when it is windy
- Cold air dropping through the hood when switched off
- Fan operates on only one speed
- Downdraft mechanism will not rise or retract
How we diagnose ventilation problems
We inspect filters, blower wheel, motor, capacitor, switches, controls, wiring, lights and accessible duct connections. We then consider the exterior damper or termination because a restriction outside the hood can make the motor appear weak.
Inline and remote blower systems need their motor and controls traced separately. Downdraft systems can involve lift motors, gears and limit switches. Where a shared building duct is involved, we identify whether the limitation sits inside the suite or with the building system.
Faber and Falmec range hood repair
Faber and Falmec systems are common in premium kitchens and may use complex blower and control assemblies. Eligible warranty repairs are completed according to the applicable manufacturer's process. Out-of-warranty units can also be assessed for motors, controls, lighting and other serviceable components.
Custom inserts, condo hoods and ventilation limitations
Custom inserts can be hidden inside millwork, making access important. Condo systems may use shared ducting or recirculation. A recirculating hood depends on a fresh charcoal filter, while a ducted hood can be affected by long runs, building dampers and restrictions outside the unit.
We repair the components within our scope and explain when a strata, building manager or qualified ventilation contractor needs to address a common system.
Repair or replace your range hood?
Motors, capacitors, switches, LED drivers, control boards and dampers are often replaceable. Premium and built-in hoods are usually worth repairing because replacing them can involve cabinetry and ductwork.
Replacement may make more sense for a low-cost hood with multiple failures or a system that is undersized for the cooking appliance below.
5 Most Common Range Hood Issues and How to Fix Them
Range hood fan not working
Check the breaker first. A failed motor, capacitor, thermal protection device, speed switch or control board can also stop the blower. If the motor only hums or remains dead after a power reset, professional testing is needed.
Range hood not removing smoke
Start with filters and the blower wheel. Grease buildup restricts airflow. A stuck backdraft damper, blocked exterior termination, damaged duct or unsuitable duct size can also reduce performance.
Range hood making loud noise
New rattling, grinding or humming can come from an unbalanced grease-coated blower wheel, worn motor bearings, loose filters or a flapping damper. Switch off power before checking removable filters.
Range hood light not working
Some modern hoods use LED modules and separate drivers rather than replaceable bulbs. A failed driver, socket, switch or control board can affect the lights. Use the manufacturer's specified lamp type if a bulb is serviceable.
Range hood fan won't turn off
Heat sensors and delay-off functions can start or continue the fan automatically. If the cooktop is cold and the fan keeps running, a relay, switch or control fault may be responsible.
Clean filters and still a weak or noisy fan? We test the motor, capacitor, controls and ductwork, fit replacement parts, and handle Faber and Falmec warranty repairs across Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and the Sea-to-Sky corridor.
Book OnlineRange Hood brands we service
Warranty-authorized & factory-trainedTHE GO-TO TECHNICIANS
- Faber· Warranty-Authorized
- Falmec· Warranty-Authorized
- Frigidaire· Warranty-Authorized
- Fulgor Milano· Warranty-Authorized
- GE· Warranty-Authorized
- LG· Factory-Trained
- Miele· Factory-Trained
- Samsung· Factory-Trained
- Whirlpool· Factory-Trained
Also serviced
- AEG
- Ancona
- Bertazzoni
- Bosch
- Broan
- Broan-NuTone
- Café
- Capital
- Cosmo
- Dacor
- Electrolux
- Fisher & Paykel
- Forno
- Gaggenau
- GE Monogram
- GE Profile
- Ilve
- JennAir
- KitchenAid
- Kucht
- Smeg
- Summit
- Thermador
- Thor Kitchen
- Unique Appliances
- Venmar
- Viking
- Vissani
- Wolf
- Zephyr
- ZLINE
Range Hood FAQ
Why is my range hood not removing smoke?
Saturated filters, grease on the blower, a restricted duct or stuck exterior damper are common causes. The hood may also be limited by a shared condo ventilation system.
How often should range hood filters be cleaned?
Monthly cleaning is a reasonable starting point for many homes, with more frequent cleaning when frying or high-heat cooking is common.
Why is my range hood dripping water?
Cold weather can expose condensation problems in the duct or exterior termination. The duct path, insulation, damper and hood need to be assessed rather than assuming the hood itself is leaking.
Why does my range hood fan start by itself?
Some hoods have heat sensors that activate the blower when the cooking surface becomes very hot. Persistent operation with a cold cooktop can indicate a control fault.
Do you repair downdraft ventilation?
Yes. Downdraft systems have lift motors, gears, limit switches and controls that can be diagnosed and repaired.
Are Faber and Falmec range hoods covered?
We provide warranty-authorized service for Faber and Falmec where the applicable warranty and model conditions are met.
Can a custom range hood be repaired?
Often, yes. Built-in motors, controls, lighting, filters and dampers can be serviceable even when the visible hood is part of custom cabinetry.
Range Hood service locations
Local technicians based in Surrey and Whistler, serving Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and Sea-to-Sky daily, with scheduled trips to the Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Interior.