The answer to 'why is my ceiling fan not working' is that there are several common causes, including a faulty switch, loose wiring, a bad motor, or a problem with the capacitor. Symptoms may include the fan not spinning at all, spinning slowly, or making strange noises.
To troubleshoot, first check the circuit breaker or wall switch to ensure power is getting to the fan. Then inspect the wiring connections at the fan and wall switch for any loose or damaged wires. If those look good, the issue is likely an internal component like the motor or capacitor, which will require replacing the fan or calling an electrician.