Hampton bay ceiling fan , model # 55295

I had the exact same problem. To solve it, I had a friend hold the area of the fan that the globe screws into. I wore rubber dish gloves to get a good grip and pushed up slightly on the globe as I turned counter-clockwise. My friend held the other part and turned clockwise a little as well. It took a lot of pressure for it to finally come loose and then we just turned it about another 90 degrees and the globe slips right out of the groove.

I couldn't believe how hard this was to do.

We were having the same problem: Kitchen fan/light self-installed about 4 years ago. I could recall that the glass had to rotate about 1/4 turn to secure & release, but could not get it to budge.

Finally I was successful by removing the head from a silicone kitchen spatula, leaving a tapered, sturdy, wooden handle end about 3/4" wide. (I wanted something wood to avoid sharp point stress against the glass) I was able to put the tapered wooden handle into the space between the glass and the metal housing - and then I "GENTLEY" used it as a pry bar, flexing the metal out away from the glass about 1/16 inch and then working my way all the way around the fixture. I did this a couple of times just to make sure the glass and metal were free to move against each other.

Then I took a silicone mat we have to keep the cutting board from slipping on the counter - and used it to generate a "grip" against the glass as I turned it - YES, COUNTER-CLOCKWISE. I came off.

As you look at the design you will note that the glass has 3 channels that latch onto 3 rounded protrusions stamped into the metal housing. The channels start much wider than the protrusions, and then narrow to an interference fit with the protrusions – while the slope of them pulls the globe up into the housing as you reassemble with a clockwise rotation. My theory is that I no doubt installed the fan in the heat of summer (when else) … and at the time I rotated the globe to as tight a fit as I could … now, with a very cold, NJ January making our kitchen the coldest room in the house … the fit became even tighter due to the fact that metal expands, and shrinks, with temperature to a greater extent than glass … albeit though a fraction of a percent, it caused the two surfaces to bind. My solution for the next time is simple… I have not tightened the globe all the way up. There is no need, as there is a keyway at open end of the channel which is designed to stop the globe from rotating fully to the off position without it being pressed upward about ¼”.

PS – the bulb (9” x 30W at the store) simple pulls straight down out of two spring clips at 180deg and then a 4prog connector is simply pulled straight off.

What an ordeal – but now – let there be light, and it is good.
K in Rutherford, NJ

Hi JoJo -- I had been trying that, since I saw on a parts site that the covers were "twist-on" ... but didn't know which way to twist. I tried again after seeing your solution, and it still doesn't come off. I tried harder and only in the counter-clockwise direction, and it doesn't budge. If I push up hard enough while doing this, the entire fan lifts in its ceiling joint. I tried banging the metal frame -- and even the glass cover, more gently -- with a rubber hammer, thinking that might loosen the cover, but it remains stubbornly in place. I figure I don't want to try a crowbar or to break the glass, but it may come to that! Any other suggestions? There doesn't seem to be any room for the glass to go up; it seems to fit snugly and smoothly into the frame.

As for the bulb, doesn't it just lift out? I believe it should be connected by two prongs, and it should lift out in the direction of the prongs. But then, I really don't know because I'm not yet as far as you. :-)

I appreciate all advice and suggestions.

You probably got it by now since it's more than 2 months later....but, push up on the cover and twist counter-clockwise. We had the same problem and it WORKED! Good luck!
Now we're just trying to figure out how the heck to change the weird looking bulb in there. Any suggestions, let me know! :)

Hampton Bay Windward IV Ceiling Fan
I FINALLY REMOVED MY GLOBE!!! After hours of trying to remove the glass, including breaking some small tab so that the entire fan can now twist, I got the globe off. I've tried on at least 4 separate occasions, finally this method worked.

I took two strips of duct tape about 12" long put one on the metal with about 4 inches twisted at the right for a grab handle, and the second piece on the globe with the grab handle to the left, directly under the top handle. This allowed me to pull the globe to the left while pulling the metal to the right. (while facing the side of the fan, thus twisting the globe counter clockwise while looking up). It took two tries, and doubling up on the tape so that it wouldn't rip, but I finally loosened the globe. It was still hard to twist off.

I'm almost afraid of re-installing it. I'm thinking of lubricating the high points with petroleum jelly or something so that it will slide easier. The raised points inside are rough feeling and not smooth. Against the sandblasted glass it's a lot of friction. I hope this helps some people.