Are you searching for a replacement remote for your ceiling fan? This can be a frustrating task at times. When searching online, you’ll find there are many knock offs and remotes that claim compatibility – especially if you’re looking at major online retailers. So the question becomes, how can you determine which remote you actually need? On this page, we work on answering this question for you to the best of our ability. The first thing you need to know is – what is the make and model of my ceiling fan? If you’re able to figure out the make and model of your fan, it’ll be much easier to find a replacement. The reason for this is that generally, universal remotes from the same manufacturer will have the most compatibility. In many cases you don’t even need to know your model – just the brand, and that your fan will work with a remote. If your fan has worked with a remote in the past, then you know it will. The only time you need to be careful is when your fan has never operated with a remote. Fans that are older, that don’t have receiver kits, can’t be set up to work with a remote without some aftermarket modifications (like installing a receiver).
Troubleshooting Ceiling Fan Remotes
Are you having a problem with your ceiling fan remote? The first step is always to diagnose the problem.
If your remote has stopped working completely, or even intermittently, the first step is always to check the batteries. Replace them with brand new batteries (not used ones, or you may still have the same problem).
If that does not work – check the dip switch settings. Did the dip switch settings get changed recently?
Is the fan able to be turned on or off through a pullchain or a wall switch, if one is available? If those also are not working, it could be an internal problem with your fan.
Have you checked the ceiling fan manual to look at the prescribed troubleshooting?
How to control your ceiling fan with a remote control app
The ability to control your ceiling fan with an app is a great idea, right? Don’t need to keep switching the batteries. If you’re anything like me, you hate having to change the batteries all the time on the remote. My daughter (she’s still young) loves to grab the remote and play with it. Fun for her, but now every time my wife or myself go to turn the fan light on – it does not work, so we can’t see! We’ve had to replace the batteries in that remote for some time, and of course it’s one of those small watch batteries – which takes us forever to get around to. So we still have no light on our ceiling fan that works.
If this sounds like you, why not try a remote control app. Most of these apps are also now all compatible with Alexa, Google assistant, etc. So you can also turn on your fan with voice activation, or logging into the app remotely and turning your fan on before you get home! What if you forgot to turn the fan off, or turn off a light – same thing, you can do it after you’ve left the house. That’s pretty handy, and great for saving money on energy costs, too.
Smart WiFi Ceiling Fan Remote Control Kit
Here we have a Smart WiFi ceiling fan remote kit. It can convert your existing ceiling fan to talk to your phone apps. It only works over 2.4 ghz though. If you’re not sure what the means, read our guide about how 2.4 ghz and 5 ghz frequencies work in terms of your home network. Also, another thing you need to look at is is there enough space in the canopy of your ceiling fan. Yes, you need to take your fan down and remove the canopy. You need to install a receiver inside of your ceiling fan for this to work. This will upgrade your fan so it works with a WiFi remote or app.
Voice commands for Alexa
Below are the different commands you can say to Alexa to make your ceiling fan do different things, once this Smart WiFi ceiling fan remote kit is installed:
- “Alexa, turn on/off arm light”,
- “Alexa, turn on/off living fan”
- “Alexa, set living fan speed to min”,
- “Alexa, set living fan speed to max”
- “Alexa, increae living fan speed”,
- “Alexa, decrease living fan speed”