The chain probably connects to a small switch inside the fan body. If you open the fan up, you can see if there's enough chain left to attach a new length of chain.
If the chain is completely broken off the switch, you can replace the switch. They are inexpensive and easy to find at most hardware stores.
Another answer
Yes, you can replace the pull chain itself and/or the switch. On most fans there is a chain on the side for the fan - it's usually one pull for fast, another for medium, a third for slow and a fourth for off. The pull chain for the lamp is in the middle on the bottom of the fan, just below the lamp(s).
Most ceiling fans with lamps have three small screws you remove at the very base of the lamp. You can unscrew the base and carefully pull it down. If it looks like something you can repair or replace, turn off breaker or remove the fuse that controls the lamp before you continue.
The switch is easily removed and disconnected, but one thing you have to watch out for. Many fans do not just use a simple on-off pull chain switch. Some fan lights use a fixture with three or four lamps, and the pull switch will turn on one lamp on the first pull, two with the 2nd pull and all of them on the 3rd pull, then the next pull turns it all off. The switch will have 3 or 4 wires, and you should make sure you label the wires so you can put them back properly.
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As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.
Before you do any work yourself,
on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,
always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.
IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB
SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY
REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
If the old chain has been complete pulled out of the fan, then your only option will be to replace the switch located inside the fan. there are usually 3-5 wires connected to this switch.
These switches are typically available at most home improvement centers, but note that there are several types. And it is best to bring the old switch with you.
But consider that this repair is on 110VAC household current. And is best done by a qualified service person or electrician. Incorrectly installing the switch can lead to safety & fire hazards.
With most pull chain fan switches, you'll need to replace the switch, though on some models you may be able to reattach the chain. To replace the switch, you will need to know whether it operates the fan or light. If the switch goes to the fan, you will need to know how many speeds the fan has. Here's how to go about it:
If the chain has pulled loose inside the lamp switch you will have to replace the switch with a new one. You can purchase them at any hardware store.
The same way.
If it is a ceiling fan, then there is a little chain on the base of the fan, not the light chain...usually on the opposite side, that you need to pull and it will change direction.
This sounds very strange. You should not have an unswitched bathroom light. Replace fixture with one with a pull chain. Turn breaker off before changing the fixture.
Open up the ceiling box and disconnect the blue wire coming from the light and connect it to the black wire coming from the fan. Be sure and put a wire nut on the wire where the light was connected before you removed it. The wall switch is controlling power to the wire where the fan is connected so when you connect the blue fan wire to that connection you will be sending power to both the fan and light from the wall switch.
<><><> Four possibilities: 1. Look for a Turn Switch or a Pull-Chain hanging from the fan - if there is one try turning the switch or pulling the chain! 2. A faulty Turn Switch or Pull-Chain Switch near bottom of the fan 3. The switch at the fan has a missing pull chain or string? 4. A faulty wall switch? If nothing is found, someone has hard-wired the fan to keep it on all the time. This would be extremely unusual! <><><> If this is not really a ceiling fan but is actually a bathroom or kitchen extractor fan then the answer you want may be what is given for the Related Question shown below. <><><>
yes
no, no it cannot
Look inside the light kit where the light pull chain turns the light on/off. You will find a black box and trace these wires to the pull chain and light if they are not clearly labeled.
Just remove the old light and install the new pull chain light connecting the black wire to the copper screw and the white wire to the silver screw. There is no connection for the ground wire. Just shove it back into the ceiling box.
Two options. Change the fixture to a keyed pull-chain, or add a pull-chain adapter to the existing fixture. Both available from Home Depot and others for about $3.
I had the same experience. If the fan turns on/off with its pull chain but the light doesn't, then the switch behind the light's pull-chain is broke and needs to be replaced.
The same way.
A dirty or old ceiling fan pull chain switch.
You put your dickinsider pull it out and she will lite up with a can of millerlite.
Pertaining to what? A light switch, an oven light, a pull chain type lampholder....???
If it is a ceiling fan, then there is a little chain on the base of the fan, not the light chain...usually on the opposite side, that you need to pull and it will change direction.
This sounds very strange. You should not have an unswitched bathroom light. Replace fixture with one with a pull chain. Turn breaker off before changing the fixture.