Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote Not Working? Definitive Troubleshooting Guide & Replacements

If you are having trouble with your Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan remote control, then in this article you will learn how to fix your remote or replace it with a similar, or universal remote, that will work just as well as the original for a fraction of the price. After spending many hours researching the most common problems along with the best solutions and best replacement remotes we have put together the definitive guide below to fixing or replacing your Harbor Breeze remote control, so please read on.

If your Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote is not working then the most common problem is that a surge of power may have cleared the remotes memory or the batteries of the remote may need replacing. To fix these problems you will need to replace the battery’s in the remote and re-sync your remote to the receiver.

These are the short and simple answers but to learn how to resync your remote to the receiver along with other possible causes of your remote control not working then please read on. As promised, we will also show you how to get a working replacement for a fraction of the price. In fact, resyncing the remote control requires that you know where the learn button is situated and how to use it properly. You will also learn in this article the following:

Where is The Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote Learn Button & How To Resync With It?
How Do I Reset My Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote?
Common Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote Problems & How To Fix Them
How Do You Program a Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote?
What Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote Battery Size Do You Need To Use?
Will a Harbor Breeze Universal Ceiling Fan Remote Work Fine?
How To Get a Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote Replacement
What Is a Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote app?
What Is a Harbour Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote Kit?
How To Install a Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote Control

I have also included a few pictures and videos where they may be helpful in identifying any problem with your remote and helping you to carry out the suggested fix.

Where is The Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote Learn Button & How To Resync With It?

The Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan remote learn button is situated at the back of the remote control unit near or beside the battery. You will need to remove the back cover to access the learn button. The learn button is used to sync the remote with the ceiling fan.

The newer Harbor Breeze Remotes use a learn button rather than multiple dip switches. The remote may still have 1 dipswitch that can be switched to 0 or 1. If it is switched to 0 then any ceiling fan will work with this remote within 40 feet.

If you set the dipswitch to 1 and press ‘Learn’ then the remote-control unit will find a unique code just for this remote and the ceiling fan that is nearby. Make sure that all other fans are switched off, otherwise, they will also be included in the unique code and will switch off and on with this remote.

Now, move to another ceiling fan and switch it on, while remembering to switch off all other ceiling fans that are nearby. With another remote Press, the ‘Learn’ button and the remote will find a different unique code just for this ceiling fan. There is no limit to how many ceiling fans you can have in close proximity, by using this method.

Just remember when using the ‘Learn’ button you will need to turn off the main power to the ceiling fan, then turn it back on again. Make sure that within 30 seconds, you use a screwdriver or something similar to press and hold the ‘Learn’ button on the ceiling fan remote for at least 3 seconds. The Harbor Breeze Ceiling fan will turn on and the fans light (if the fan has a light unit) will blink three times, this signals a synchronization that is successful.

The above video will show you where to find the ‘Learn’ button on your remote control. Another thing to note is that the ‘Learn’ button is the reset button.

If you still find that your ceiling fan is not syncing with your remote control then try holding the ‘Learn’ button while simultaneously pressing the light or fan speed button on the front of the remote.

How Do I Reset My Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote?

To reset your Harbor Breeze ceiling fan remote you need to turn the power off then on and then push the ‘reset’ button or ‘learn’ button under the back cover of the remote. Make sure you hold the reset button down until the light comes on and the ceiling fan speed goes to medium.

If your remote control has a ‘Learn’ button then follow the instructions above to sync your fan and remote if needed. If your remote and fan have dip switches then be sure to select the same dip switch settings on your remote that is on your ceiling fan. This generally, is the old school way as the newer fans will not have dip switches on the fan itself.

The newer fans may have a remote that may have dip switches, which means you just make sure each remote has a different dip switch setting before pressing the ‘Learn’ button. So, for example, if my remote has four dip switches numbered 1 to 4 and I set them all to position 0, then when I turn my ceiling fan on and making sure I turn the light on the fan if it has a light, I will press the ‘learn’ button. When the remote and fan have synced the ceiling fan light will blink 3 times.

Then, for the next ceiling fan and remote I would choose different a combination of dip switch settings, for example, dip switch 1 you would set to 1 and the rest to 0. Then go ahead and sync by following the same process of pressing the ‘learn’ button.

Remember, this is only for remotes that have dip switches. Some do not have dip switches, or some have one dip switch that you just set to 1 and then hold the ‘learn’ button and a unique code will be generated for each fan as explained earlier.

If in doubt then read the manual that came with your Harbor Breeze ceiling fan.

Please check our article for the different possible dip switch setting combinations: Dip Switch Settings for Your Ceiling Fan

The video below will show you how to sync your ceiling fan with your remote if the remote has dip switches and a learn button. The video will also show you how to sync a Universal Remote if it was previously synced, but you had to change the batteries and it now no longer works.

Common Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote Problems & How To Fix Them

Below is a few of the more common Harbor Breeze remote problems along with the best solutions that we could find to fix them. They are not listed in any particular order so have a scroll through them to see if one of the problems and solutions fits your situation.

Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote Light Stays On

Your Ceiling Fan remote light will stay on if a button on the remote is stuck in the pressed position. Press the buttons again lightly to try and free them from this pressed down position.

If doing this doesn’t turn the light of the remote off then open the remote control compartment so that you have access to the rubber buttons and make sure that the rubber contact of the switches is not stuck.

You will have to check them all and try to free them up if they are stuck on a contact. You might like to use a little alcohol to clean the contact points to ensure there is no dirt or grime causing the button to stay in contact with the switch. Once you have completed this, then reassemble the unit and check again to see if the light has turned off.

If these methods do not fix the remote control then you may need a replacement remote. Check our article further below for suggestions on how to find a replacement Harbor Breeze remote.

Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Not Responding To Remote Control

If your Ceiling Fan is not responding to the remote control then this could be due to a loose wire within the receiver unit, a burnt-out receiver unit, or your remote control needing to be reset or resynced with the fan.

The receiver unit is located within the ceiling fan housing near the ceiling. Make sure, if you are going to replace the receiver unit, that you turn off all power to the fan before dismantling and reinstalling a new receiver. Even if you are just checking the wiring and ensuring all contacts are good, then you will need to turn off all power to the fan before proceeding, otherwise we recommend getting a qualified electrician to take a look.

If your remote needs to be resynced or reset then check the subheading ‘How Do I Reset My Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote’ above where we have already discussed this in-depth.

How Do You Program a Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote?

To program a Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote you will need to either use the ‘learn’ button and/or set the dip switches on the remote to match the dip switch settings on the ceiling fan.

This is a fairly straightforward procedure and is explained in full above under the subject of resetting the ceiling fan.

If your Harbor Breeze ceiling fan has dip switches then all you have to remember to do is make sure that whatever dip switch settings are on the ceiling fan, should be the same as on your remote. The ceiling fan dip switch settings can usually be found on the remote receiver located on the ceiling fans housing near the ceiling.

Take a look at the video below to see an example of where you might find the dip switch settings on the receiver. Please remember that any electrical work should be carried out by a qualified electrician.

What Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote Battery Size Do You Need To Use?

The battery size for the Harbor Breeze ceiling fan remote control is an A23 12-volt battery.

if you use a Universal Remote then the battery size may differ. Some universal remotes designed for Harbor Breeze ceiling fans use AAAA while others may use a 9 volt battery, so it is best to check the manual that came with your remote or ceiling fan.

Will a Harbor Breeze Universal Ceiling Fan Remote Work Fine?

A Harbor Breeze Universal ceiling fan remote will work fine with your ceiling fan as long as you have the right model remote.

Many of the ceiling fan remotes can now be replaced with Universal Remotes which operate just fine. Many of these remotes can be located on Amazon by using the search phrase ‘Harbor Breeze Remote’ (Affiliate link to Amazon).

Read through the listing of the remote you are thinking of buying as the seller will often explain what limitations the remote may have and what requirements your ceiling fan will need. By doing a little searching you can locate easily a remote control unit that will match your ceiling fan.

For example, if you were to buy the Eogifee 35T Ceiling Fan Remote Control Replacement, which is a Universal Remote designed for Harbor Breeze ceiling fans, you would need to ensure that the original remote has FCCID: L3HFAN35T1 or L3HFAN35T written on the back of the remote or the original remote model is either FAN53T, KUJCE9103, FAN-35T, FAN-11T or FAN-HD5.

How to Get a Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote Replacement

The first place to check for a Harbor Breeze replacement remote is Lowes, as they are the main distributor and Litex Industries as they are the manufacturer for Harbor Breeze ceiling fans.

We cover in detail about how to contact both Lowes and Litex Industries in our article: Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Replacement Parts

I would recommend going to Lowes website first to see if there are any replacement remotes suitable for your ceiling fan. They would be the original and so maybe a bit more expensive than other options we mention below. However, I have found that the number of replacement remotes on Lowes website is very limited.

The next place I would look would be on Amazon using the search phrase ‘Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Remotes’ (Affiliate Link to Amazon). There you will find a lot more options as they are Universal Remotes.

You will need to read the sellers description to make sure the remote will work with your particular model of Harbor Breeze ceiling fan. The prices are also very reasonable and you get the added advantage of checking what others have left in the reviews. They will often mention how successful the remote was with working with their particular model.

Finally, if you are not having any success at locating the right remote control, then call the manufacturers at Litex Industries. I have given them a call and found them to be very helpful. Take a look at the video below and take a look at the full article with contact details here: Harbor Breeze Replacement Parts

What Is a Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote app?

The Ceiling Fan remote app can be downloaded at any app store to allow your ceiling fan to be controlled with your smartphone.

To make this work you may need to have a Bluetooth remote or to buy a compatible Universal Remote that allows you to connect a smart phone.

Check out these Universal Remotes (Affiliate link to Amazon)

The remote and the smartphone will pair to enable you to control the ceiling fan. Check out the Universal Remote below that is also Wifi and Smart enabled.

You will simply add the smart fan controller to your Harbor Breeze ceiling fan to make it wifi enabled and fully remote controllable. You should be able to change the speed of your fan or control the light with your smartphone.

What Is a Harbour Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote Kit?

A Harbor Breeze ceiling fan remote kit includes a handheld remote along with a receiver that you place into the ceiling fan housing to enable the ceiling fan to be controlled by the remote.

You may need to check which remote kit is compatible with your ceiling fan by reading the sellers descriptions. These remote kits can even be used to make a ceiling fan remote controlled that normally is not remote controlled. But you need to make sure that you select the right kit for this, and need to read the sellers requirements.

One of the best is the Universal Ceiling Fan Remote and Receiver Complete Kit (Affiliate link to Amazon)

To find out what accessories are available check out the post: Harbor Breeze Accessories which covers most customizable options.

How To Install a Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote Control

After you open the ceiling fan canopy you will find there are three coloured wires. The white wire is the neutral wire, the black wire will power the ceiling fan and the blue wire will power the light. You will attach the remote control receiver to these wires.

Safety Precautions Before You Start

A word of caution, if you are not a qualified electrician then we recommend using a qualified electrician to make the wire connections.

Make sure that the power is turned off to the ceiling fan before starting. Remember that the power should be turned off right at the breaker.

Lets Get Started

With care, remove the screws that are holding the ceiling fan canopy in place. When removed you should be able to clearly identify the ceiling fan wiring along with the accompanying hanging bracket that is attached to the fans electrical box.

Next You Will Need To Identify the Wires

Locate the wires that are white that connect the electrical box to the ceiling fan. You will need to separate these two white wires by pulling them apart. Disconnect by untwisting the white wire from the electrical box. You will then do the same with the black wire and blue wire. There will also be a green wire, do not disconnect this wire.

The new receiver will have the same white, blue and black wires as the those that are inside the fan’s canopy. The receiver will have a ceiling fan side, which may be marked as such on the receiver, the receiver will have labels that will identify light fixture wire, the motor wire and the neutral wire.

Then on the opposite side of the remote receiver, there will also be a white, black and a blue wire that you will need to connect to the corresponding colours on the ceiling fan electrical box.

Connect The Wires

Match the receiver wires to the electrical box wires. Make sure you match up all the wire colours and then use a wire connector on each pair of connected wires. Lastly, you will need to then connect the black and white wires on the remote receiver to the matching-coloured wires on the fans electrical box. Once you have connected and matched all of the wires you can place the remote receiver behind the ceiling fans bracket.

Test the Ceiling Fan and Remote

Screw-in the ceiling fan canopy screws. Turn the power back on and then test that the ceiling fan is working. If the ceiling fan works normally, then test the ceiling fan remote.