Ceiling fan some time not rotating

Start up capacitor is likely bad. That's the rectangle thing in the bonnet with two wires. If you replace it, replace the on/off switch at three same time.

There is a small switch on the side of the fan that will reverse the rotation of the blades.

Thanks for your quesiton @ FixcYa.com

If this happens while it is rotating, it is likely that the inside wiring has come loose from the connections and it makes temporary contact on rotation.

some fan models will only spin one way!! If there is not a switch on the side cover of fan.

First turn the power to the fan OFF. Take it down from the ceiling by removing the screws holding the cover on. Then remove the screws holding it to the ceiling. Then unscrew the screw caps that twist (connect) the wires from fan motor to the house wiring. Do a general clean up on the fan. Use an old paint brush to get in the hard to get at places. Rotate the fan by hand. If it does not rotate freely, put some oil on the shaft where it goes into the motor, and put some on where the shaft comes out the back. If it still does not rotate freely, buy a replacement and install it.

I had a hampton bay fan that absolutely did not have a revers switch on the fan anywhere! MOST fans bought today will reverse. I was not about to give up. I scoured the net for an answer and could not find anything to help. I did however find a comment somewhere that said it could be done internally. After about six months I decided to search again (now). Nothing... so I started playing with the remote and the wall switch and Shazaam! I figured it out on my hampton bay fan. Turn the fan on high... Turn the wall switch off.... wait until the fan is pretty slow in rotation... hold the HI button on the remote.... Turn the switch back on. IT Worked for me! Hope this helps someone. SparqMark

no high speed on fan

1. Try to rotate it by free hand and see it is free machanically. If not, it ball-bearing/bush should require lubrication or replacement.(Note at this satage there should be no electric supply to fan.)
2.If it is free, rotate it fast by hand, then immediately switch it on.
a)If it continue to rotate, then there is fault in capacitor.Replace it.
b)If not, ask me.

If there is not a little switch on the side of the non-rotating part (below the blades) then your fan is not reversible.

There's a rubber circle that is the damper between the blades and the motor shaft that rotates. The circle has spokes connecting the outer ring, which the blades screw into, to the inner ring which attaches to the shaft and holds it. If the spokes break you get the symptoms you describe, motor hums but no rotation, but blades can turn manually if you hand turn them them. If this is the case you need to remove and replace the blade mounting ring/damper. (About 25 bucks online)