Repairing a Hunter Fan Remote Control

This is a Hunter UC7848. Even if your remote doesn't look exactly like this one, they work on the same principle.

When the buttons on your fan remote control stop responding, or intermittently working. It is very frustrating that the Fan On button works, but the Fan Off button stops responding and there is no way to turn the fan off. . This occurs because the contacts inside the remote are dirty. Once cleaned, the remote responds with featherlight touch.

A new remote costs $32.00 plus shipping. but you can fix it in 15 minutes with tools you have around the house.

Step 1: Opening the Remote

After removing the battery cover and the 9v battery, use a small, thin, philips screwdriver to undo the two screws that hold the cover together, and remove the back cover.

Step 2: Removing the Circuit Board

The board is being held in place with one phillips screw (two actually, the other one is also holding the back cover). Remove the board and flip it over.

Notice how dirty the contacts are.

Step 3: Cleaning the Contacts

Use a pencil eraser to rub the contacts clean. The eraser will collect the carbon gunk from the contacts.

Use a cotton swab with some rubbing alcohol to clean the contacts. repeat until the swab comes up clean.

Step 4: Cleaning the Contact Makers (buttons)

Use a swan with alcohol to clean the black points. Those are made of carbon and rubber and take a while to clean.

Step 5: Assemble

Place the clean board in the body of the remote.

Replace and tighten the screw that holds the board.

put the back cover on the remote and tighten the two screws that holds it in place.

connect the 9v battery and replace the battery cover.

You are done.

Comments

[Scotty A]

This video was excellent! Thank you very much. In 15 minutes I cured what has been getting worse for a year. Hope someone is paying you for views.

[tiehusky]

Was searching for a remote replacement and found this page. The instructions were quite plain, and the remote and was fixed in a few minutes.

[crazycarlos2000]

Was soooooo close on buying a new remote.
Instructions were easy to follow thank you

[durley]

I'm not able to remove remote cover no screw is visible you can release the two tabs at bottom but top portion can't be remove either sliding forward or backwards it held in place

[TerpsMD]

Worked for us. Saved having to pay $70 for a replacement remote

[EllieL16]

Our ceiling fan takes a different type of battery. The fan is about 14 years old. We already had to replace the remote once before. Now we can’t find anyone who sells that remote. Tried cleaning up the remote as instructed here but it still does not work. It is that time of year that we really need the fan working. No one here is handy enough to do what it takes to put a new receiver in the fan. Really miss that thing.😭

[jnfjnf2019]

I just wanted to buy a new remote control. But before I did that, I saw this and asked my daughter to try. She cleaned it following your pictures and direction. It's amazing! It worked perfectly now. Just took several minutes, the problem is resolved.

[debgo328]

This is such good advice- I hope you could help w/ my issues: 3 hunter fans- all 3 remotes broken: On 2 remotes- when removing 9-volt battery to change it, wire that battery gets attached to ripped in 1/2; 3rd remote- it works, but the plastic case itself is cracked in front. This causes Light, & Hi & Lo Fan buttons to get stuck in the pushed-in position often. HELP.

[conn500]

I have the same issue. The black wire came loose. Any idea how to reattach?

[ph5466c]

My wife's fingers are bad and she couldn't turn it off and on followed these instructions took me 10 minutes unbelievable.

[wshs1976]

Brilliant! I can echo all the comments here. I was about to spend $60+ for a new remote. (They don't sell this remote anymore, so I would have to buy the replacement model. To get the original, I could go on eBay and spent $159!) Anyway, the instructions are easy to follow and worked like a charm. This is what makes the internet great--people like YOU (whoever you are!) for taking the time to create this highly instructive tutorial so I can save some money AND put one less thing into a landfill. Like someone else wrote, I am NOT a handy guy, but you made me feel like I was when I gently pushed the button on the remote and the light came on! So great!

[ctheads]

Thank you for the wonderfully detailed instructions. My circuit board wasn't dirty but I did what you suggested. My issue is that the red LED comes on and stays on - whether pushing any button or not. Battery doesn't last very long. Any Suggestions??

[debs135]

Thanks a million! Here on Coronavirus lockdown, temperatures nearing 100 today and not able to turn on our fan. Found this page, followed directions and now our remote controls works and the fan is on! I really appreciate the pictures and detailed instructions. I'm not a handy person, yet I was able to fix our remote! We will sleep cool tonight! ;)

[Flowbob]

Thanks so much on Thanksgiving Weekend! I have three hunter fans that are 25 years old and working great but the remotes were not working well at all. My search before buy attitude found this link and voila! all three remotes working like new in less than 30 minutes.

[PinkJohn]

Thanks for the post! Was just searching the model number to buy a replacement, found this, 5 min later of cleaning it and it's as good as new!

[adriansmom]

Thanks so much for this information. I thought that my remote was broken. This fixed the problem and saved me from a costly replacement.

[Hogheaven10]

Hey, thanks so much for the tip on cleaning my Hunter Fan remote control. I have the same exact remote as you have pictured here. So easy and took me literally 5 minutes to clean. My remote works great now!! Better than new. My Hunter fan is old but I love it. Thanks again!! :)

[DaveB308]

Great tutorial, was about ready to pull the trigger on new remote - BTW - $50+ On amazon and eBay, quick easy fix. Glad I googled repairing it and found this site. Thanks!!

[lindac307]

Followed your instructions, light is working great but I can't get the fan on and the red light on the remote stays on continuously.

[Joshua Combs]

I recently replaced the receiver in the fan, same type of remote. The problem is that the remote will only work if it is basically touching the fan near the light. Any ideas what would cause this? The remote has a new battery.
Thanks in advance!