What Causes MaxxAir Maxx Fan Lid Not to Open or Close

Updated 11/17/2025 | Published 01/16/2023

Products Featured in This Question

Replacement Lift Motor for Maxx Fan Plus Roof Vent

(193)

$53.94

Replacement Operator Mechanism for MaxxAir MaxxFan Plus or MaxxFan Deluxe Roof Vents

(1126)

$30.95

Question:

My Max Air fan will not open or close. What would cause this?

asked by: Christopher H

Expert Reply:

The two most likely causes of a MaxxAir vent fan lid not opening or closing are either going to be a lift motor or operator failure. I recommend removing the motor and applying power directly to this to see if the shaft turns. If not, you know the motor is bad and needs to be replaced for which we have the Replacement Lift Motor for Maxx Fan Plus Roof Vent part # MA10-20270. If the motor works properly then it's most likely a bad operator for which we have the Replacement Operator Mechanism part # MA10-20281K-1AF.

expert reply by: Conner L

Bill B.

2/23/2024

my motor will raise the lid until it stops but will not lower when close button is used. i have replaced the operator ( bought from e trailer), which i can use to manually open or close. i have tried changing control buttons but still does not work

Mike L.

2/23/2024

@BillB Can you tell us the model number of your Maxxair fan, please?

Chris G.

3/1/2024

@MikeL I am having the exact same problem. My 4700k fan will open. However It will not close when I press the button. I have to manually turn the knob to close it.

Mike L.

3/2/2024

@ChrisG We're in the middle of working with MaxxAir to find a solution to Bill's (and your) issue. We'll let you know when we hear back from them. Stay tuned!

Kyle

2/25/2024

My vent won’t open or close. It does however, beeps when I attempt to operate it. I got up there and cleaned off the sensor to no avail.

Tony

11/14/2025

@Kyle. same issue.. did you resolve this? Any help is appreciated Tony

Jesse M.

11/17/2025

@Tony Hey Tony. Doesn't look like we heard back from Kyle here, but I can tell you if the rain sensor is in good working order, the circuit board is the next thing we would look at replacing.

3/27/2024

I removed the motor housing and was able to lift the vent hood easily (manually via twist knob). The motor is totally locked-up internally; even after removing the smaller exterior reductions gears. I used this fan one time; it's a shame. The second unit still functions property. I installed two 7500K units.

Dennis D.

10/24/2024

Replaced motor still needs help to lift, works fine coming down?

Jon G.

10/24/2024

@DennisD Have you tried checking the power source? Sometimes in this case the battery might be depleted or even a ground might be loose. The motor works fine coming down simply because of gravity and the motor not having to "push" against the load.

Thomas

1/31/2025

Is it normal that the motor and shaft have a bit of oil? It seems excessively wet.

T. B.

8/28/2025

I've replaced the motor, the control panel and have a new operator mechanism which I haven't installed yet because the vent lid does open and close manually, so I'm assuming it wouldn't work manually if the operator mechanism was faulty. I have tested both motors (old and new) and they both work when power is applied directly, so it wasn't the motor, and not the control panel. Could a faulty remote be the culprit? (though the open and close controls on the panel on the fan do not open or close it either). I'm at a loss and am tired of climbing up a step ladder to open and close it and of course with this issue, it will not close automatically when raining. I have a model 4500K.

Kate F.

8/28/2025

@TB Since your fan motor and control panel are both good, the most likely culprits are the operator mechanism, limit switches, or the rain sensor. Even though the lid moves by hand, the operator mechanism could still be bad electrically. A stuck limit switch or faulty rain sensor can also block the motor from getting power. The remote isn’t the issue since the wall panel doesn’t work either. I’d try cleaning or bypassing the rain sensor, checking for 12V at the operator motor when you press open/close, and if that still doesn’t do it, go ahead and swap in the new operator mechanism. Please let me know how it works out =)

T. B.

11/3/2025

@KateF Hello Kate, You mention: "Even though the lid moves by hand, the operator mechanism could still be bad electrically. " It appears to me the operator mechanism is mechanical. not electrical. I am assuming you were referring to the lift motor? Since I first posted I have installed the new lift motor which I had tested the old one and it worked when 12v was applied directly, I also ordered a new rain sensor and installed that to no avail. So here's what I have installed: new rain sensor new lift motor new operator mechanism new control panel board I still have the same exactly the same issues. The lid will only open and close manually. Could you explain what and where the limit switch is and how I might unstick it or replace it? The fan motor itself works great forward and reverse. Everything but the lift works as it should. I am at a loss as to what to do next. I've replaced everything I can think of and it just doesn't work. The only thing left to replace is the remote which works for everything except the lift. I've replaced the batteries and when I push the button to open or close it displays open or closed for the lift, but of course the lift hasn't moved. Help!

Kate F.

11/3/2025

@TB Can you give me the information off of the sticker on the unit? I would like to reach out to MaxxAir directly. I also need the part numbers that you ordered as well, I only see the order for the rain sensor with us. They will need all part numbers to make sure they work for your specific unit.

T. B.

11/3/2025

@KateF Hello Kate, Where might I find the sticker? The only sticker I could find on the unit was on the fan motor. which just lists a part number (P/N 10-20968) which I assume is for the motor itself and a manufacturing date (12-2022) The parts I ordered were from Amazon third-party vendors, but exact duplicates in appearance, mounting, wiring and function. and listed as compatible with the 4500K. The circuit board has the same ratings on the diodes, resistors, etc., and contains the exact same placement, wiring and connections. Being it was Amazon I doubt there's a cross-reference of part numbers. I know it's best to replace with OEM parts but frankly, I'm way past retirement and on a fixed income so I bought what I could afford after reading ratings from other purchasers. I have also swapped out the new parts and re-installed the old to test, but the issues are still the same so I re-installed the new and have the original parts as spares. Like I stated previously, everything works fine except the raising and lowering of the lid. All of the old parts mechanical and electrical appear to work fine when tested separately. The only thing I cannot test is the circuit board. T.

See All (8) Replies to T. B. ∨

Leo S.

11/7/2025

When I use the controller, I here a click, but the motor doesn't run. When I try to open it manually with the turn knob, it no longer wants to turn -- knob is stuck. Is this a mechanical issue? I don't see anything stuck in there when I go up to the roof to inspect it. Thanks!

Robin H.

11/8/2025

@LeoS It does sound like an internal mechanical issue. I would test the motor as outlined above to see if it is functional and if need be replace the motor # MA10-20270 and operator mechanism # MA10-20281K-1AF.

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