Cooker hood extractor fan not pulling steam or smells away (all brands)
✅ Safe to check yourself
This is a common, low-risk check most people can do safely. Always unplug the appliance (or isolate power) before touching internal parts.
Quick TipTake a photo of the appliance's model/serial number sticker now — you'll want it if this does end up needing a part or an engineer.
A cooker hood that runs (light on, fan audibly spinning) but doesn’t seem to be pulling steam, smoke, or cooking smells away effectively is one of the most common — and most neglected — kitchen appliance issues, usually down to blocked filters rather than a failing fan.
What to check first
- Remove and clean the metal grease filters (usually slide or clip out easily) — these are designed to be washed regularly, often monthly with typical UK cooking frequency, and a greasy, clogged filter is by far the most common cause of weak extraction.
- If your hood is recirculating (ductless, filtering air back into the room rather than venting outside), check whether it also has a carbon/charcoal filter — unlike the metal grease filter, this usually can’t be washed and needs periodic replacement (check your manual for how often, typically every 6-12 months).
- If your hood is ducted (vents outside), check the external vent isn’t blocked or the flap isn’t stuck shut, and that the ducting itself hasn’t come loose or collapsed behind the units.
- Check you’re using the correct fan speed for what you’re cooking — many people under-use the boost/high setting.
When to call an engineer
If filters are clean, ducting is clear, and higher fan speeds still don’t help, the fan motor itself may be underperforming — worth a professional check, particularly if it’s also become noticeably noisier than before.