How do I check the capacitor in my ceiling fan?

Testing a ceiling fan motor run capacitor to see if it has failed requires inspecting its physical condition and testing electrical performance with a digital multimeter equipped with a capacitance setting. First, always ensure safety by shutting off the circuit breaker and discharging the capacitor terminals with an insulated screwdriver to prevent shock. Second, disconnect the capacitor wires and check for visible signs of damage, such as a bulging casing, cracked plastic, or leaking oil. Third, connect the multimeter probes to the capacitor leads to measure its microfarad rating. You can troubleshoot capacitor wear safely. You can verify that your test is accurate when the multimeter reading matches or falls within ten percent of the manufacturer's printed microfarad rating; a dead or out-of-spec reading confirms the capacitor is bad.