Is your tower fan turning on by itself and you don’t know what’s going on? This is actually a problem that happens more often with tower fans and here is what’s wrong.
Tower fans can turn on by themselves for the following reasons:
- Faulty wiring
- Timer settings
- Damaged remote control
- Frequency issues with remote control
- Faulty sensor
Keep reading to find out how you can inspect your tower fan and find out which problem is plaguing your tower fan and we’ll go through some easy fixes you for these issues.
Contents
5 Reasons Why A Tower Fan Turns On By Itself
1. Faulty Wiring
If there’s a loose wiring connection inside your tower fan, it may cause the device to turn on (and off) by itself sporadically. This can also show up as things not working as they should in other ways.
To fix faulty wiring, you’ll need to remove the fan coverings and find the loose connection. Follow the steps below to find and repair the defective wiring:
- Disconnect the tower fan from its power source.
- Remove the bottom piece or other coverings by taking out the screws and bolts holding it together.
- Examine the wiring throughout the device, which is normally close to the power button.
- Check whether the wires are loosely connected or disconnected.
- Reattach loose connections and secure with electrical tape or soldering iron and solder.
- Reattach the cover.
- Plug in and check if the problem is solved.
You must unplug the tower fan before tinkering with the electrical components and wiring underneath. Otherwise you could get an electric shock which you really want to avoid for obvious reasons.
After removing the screws holding the panels in place, keep them together in a little box or bowl so they don’t get lost. Also keep track of the order and location you got the screws and panels from the fan.
To reconnect a loose connection, make sure the metal inside the loose wire touches the component or other wire it should be connected to. Then, you can wrap the connection in electrical tape to hold it in place. When a fan is turning on an off automatically, the connection is probably not visibly severed so a wire being slightly loose could be the culprit.
Electrical tape usually works but a much better and more permanent solution, you should solder the loose connections together.
Also read: Tower fan keeps turning off by itself. How to fix it?
2. Timer Settings
Many cooling appliances, such as fans and air conditioning units, have timers that allow you to program them to turn on and off at set times. If used correctly, these functions are great for comfort and convenience.
However, when the timer settings aren’t correct, they may cause your fan to turn on at seemingly random times.
Depending on the make and model of your tower fan, you should be able to adjust the timer settings using the remote control. Check for buttons on your remote that allow you to control the timer or set a schedule for turning on and off.
You can reset the timer to prevent it from starting the machine by itself. Alternatively, you can press the reset button on the remote or tower fan to restore the device to its factory settings. Resetting the timer may stop the machine from turning on by itself.
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3. Damaged Remote Control
A damaged or faulty remote control can also cause your tower fan to turn on. If one of your remote’s buttons is stuck, it can trigger the power button without you pressing it, causing the fan to switch on.
To fix a damaged or stuck button, follow these steps:
- Remove the back cover on the remote control and take out the batteries.
- Unscrew the bolt or screw holding the remote together.
- Take out the buttons, paying attention to where each one goes. It may help to have the remote control manual with you to make it easier to reassemble later.
- Clean the buttons and remove any dirt.
- Place the buttons back in place, ensuring that they securely fit in their correct slots.
- Reassemble the remote and check if the issue is resolved.
The most likely button to be damaged is the power button as the fan is turning on by itself. So, pay extra attention to the power button, and ensure that it’s working correctly before reassembling the remote.
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4. Frequency Issues With Remote Control
If you have neighbors, or if your household is using more than one remote control, one of the other remotes may be set to the same frequency as your tower fan remote. When this happens, your tower fan may turn on if your neighbors (or the other members of your household) use the remote on the same frequency.
So, to resolve frequency issues in your remote, you must change its frequency settings. Follow these steps to change the remote control frequency:
- Remove the covering from the remote control.
- Unscrew the screws holding the panels and brackets inside the remote together.
- Find the dip switch settings. It’s usually a series of little switches — some of them are turned on, while others are off.
- Rearrange the dip switches to change the frequency the remote works on.
- Reassemble the remote control and check if it works.
You may also need to adjust the dip switches inside the tower fan to calibrate it with the remote. If you’ve done the above successfully, the remote should function on a new frequency. Also, your neighbors won’t be able to accidentally turn your tower fan (and cause potentially awkward situations where you’ll have to respectfully ask them not to use their remote when you’re using yours).
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5. Faulty Sensor
There’s a sensor inside your tower fan that retrieves information from the remote control, essentially telling your appliance what to do. If this sensor is damaged, it’ll send signals to your tower fan telling it to turn on without you pressing buttons on the remote.
To fix this problem, you’ll need to replace the damaged sensor inside the tower fan itself. Follow these steps to replace the sensor:
- Disconnect the tower fan from a power source.
- Locate the sensor and remove the coverings around it.
- Disconnect the faulty sensor from the wiring.
- Connect the new sensor in its place and secure the wiring.
- Reassemble and check to see if the fan is working.
This replacement can be challenging, especially without the proper knowledge and equipment.
Therefore, it’s best not to attempt this repair unless you’re 100% sure you can do it, as you could easily cause further damage and void any warranties on your fan.
Instead, I recommend hiring an expert to replace faulty sensors. This prevents further damage, protects any warranties on the tower fan, and ensures the repair is successful.
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Professional Appliance Repair
If, after identifying and attempting to solve each of the issues above, your tower fan still seems to have a mind of its own and turns on by itself, you should consult an expert for help. Take the device to a professional appliance repair shop and ask them for assistance.
Appliance repair professionals can diagnose the issue effectively and find a solution that fits your budget. While a professional repair will likely be far more expensive than a DIY repair, you’ll probably be covered by a warranty in case additional issues pop up after the repair. Also, you don’t have to worry about damaging the device, causing worse problems, and invalidating your warranty.
