Is your ceiling fan shaking , rattle , or wobble ? The good news is you’re able to probably name and take care of the job yourself .

A ceiling fan is great mode to promote secure air circulation in your home , cool it down in summer , and spread warm air in winter ( just ensure it’sturning the right directionfor the season . ) But if and when the ceiling fan begin making rattle sounds , you call for to take steps to name and correct the job . That can think of cleansing , tightening , and perhaps supercede part of the fan .

Even if you ’re not bothered by the rale or wobble , you should still figure out why the sports fan is n’t exercise properly and attempt to repair it . If the issue is left undetermined , it can stimulate premature wearable on the ceiling fan motor , tear out electrical connexion , or untie weak fixtures and coverings to the pointedness that they fall . Do n’t let the problem get bad . Just follow these dance step to learn how to figure out what ’s wrong with your buff and furbish up the problem .

living room with sectional and sofa table two ceiling fans

Credit: James Nathan Schroder

Common Causes of Ceiling Fan Problems

A cap devotee has many different part that can come loose , warp , dampen , or burn up out . It ’s important to ascertain more about the possible cause in ordination to figure out the best fix . Here are some of the most common rationality a cap lover is n’t work properly .

Tips for Troubleshooting a Rattling Ceiling Fan

Once you are better acquainted with the potential causes of the job , always start with the easiest and most low-priced haunt to avoid buying substitute parts you may not actually need . Our checklist below is organized from the simplest to the most mired repair , so depart at Step 1 and work out your way through the list .

Also , verify you do n’t skip any step in the troubleshooting appendage . For instance , it may seem unneeded to measure the height of the sports fan leaf blade when you are checking for free component part , but if even just one vane is out of alinement , it could be the cause of the problem .

Finally , keep in mind that if you do involve to buy new buff blade , blade arms , or fastener , you will call for to find parts that match your roof fan model .

How to Balance a Ceiling Fan

What You’ll Need

Step 1: Clean the Fan Blades

Fan sword are designed to have even weighting and emplacement to wield balance while the blades rotate at high speed . The free weight of the brand can be affected by blockheaded layers of dust and scandal . To fix this issue , turn off the cap rooter and hold off for it to do to a complete stay before positioning a run under the fan so you may climb up and reach the blades .

If the fan blades are very dirty , wipe off the majority of the dust and grunge with a duster orclean the brand using an onetime pillowcaseto check the dirt . Next wet a microfiber fabric with warm piss and use it to clean the blades , vane arms , and motor housing . A cotton swab can help get into the minute cracks and fissure for a more thorough cleaning . After wash and dry the cap fan , wrench it on and test to see if the problem is resolved .

Step 2: Secure the Ceiling Fan Mount

If clean the fan did n’t address the matter , then the next stone’s throw is to inspect and secure the ceiling buff mount . Loosen the ceiling buff bracket housing to visually scrutinize the fan mount and wall bracket fasteners . Check the recording label on the electrical box to ensure it is rate for cap fans . If the electric boxful is not value for ceiling fans , then it will need to be replaced . Leave this task to a professional linesman . If the electrical boxisrated for roof fans , you could secure the fan mount by using a screwdriver to tighten the fasteners on the Ellen Price Wood beams or metal brace . After constrain these fixing , wiggle the fan mount to ensure that it does n’t shift .

If you comment the rooter ’s electrical box is the source of the rale and wobbling , or if the electric box is not rate for ceiling fans , adjoin a professional electrician to have the loge checked and replaced or reinstall if necessary .

Step 3: Tighten Anything That’s Loose

The next step in this troubleshooting process is to scrutinize the various parts of the ceiling fan for any loose fixing , clean mend , blade , sword weapon , or the canopy . expend a ladder to get close enough to the fan to exhaustively scrutinize the entire unit . stiffen any wanton fasteners you find with a screwdriver and make certain that the blade , leaf blade arms , and light secureness are safe before climbing down from the ladder and sour on the fan to screen whether this fix the wobble .

Ceiling Fan Canopy

The canopy is the decorative covert that attach to the hanger angle bracket and is used to cover the wiring between the ceiling and the fan .

Step 4: Adjust the Ceiling Fan Blades and Arms

One factor that can sometimes be overlooked is the position of the cap fan blade and arms . If the blades are not even , then the fan may coggle and rattle during use . To fix this issue , measure the upright length from the gratuity of each fan brand to the ceiling . If the measurements for all blades are not equal , then you may make slight adjustments by tightening the mounting screws on the motor trapping . you’re able to also aline the spatial relation of the blades by gently bending the blade arms , but be careful not to break them .

Take this opportunity to inspect the fan blades and the lover subdivision for any signs of damage , like warping , deflexion , or cracking . If you find any damage , you will involve to buy successor rooter leaf blade or blade arm that play off your fan model or consider replacing the entire cap devotee . Most ceiling fan manufacturers will have a list of replacement piece usable on the society site , though you may need to request this selective information from some company .

Step 5: Install a Ceiling Fan Balancing Kit

When you have inspected the entire cap fan for issues and still ca n’t figure out why the sports fan is unbalanced , it ’s metre to use a roof fan balancing outfit . These outfit are available at home improvement center and online for between $ 5 and $ 10 . They containing a plastic clip and multiple small weights that can be attached directly to the lover blades with an adhesive backup .

Start by attaching the charge card time included in the kit midway up the duration of one blade , then turn on the fan to test whether it is still wobbling . Do n’t require the job to be fixed correctly away . You will need to test each devotee blade to figure out which one is causing the unbalance before you may go .

When you ascertain the job blade , you’re able to seek to improve the instability by sliding the time along the steel about an in at a prison term , step by step work your elbow room to the summit . try out the buff after each adaption , and once you visualise out the good position of the clip to help stabilise the revolution of the rooter , install a equilibrium weighting at this location . Place it in the gist of the fan blade and either use the adhesive backing or gum to secure the free weight .

Remove the snip and examine the fan . If it still wobble , then you may have more than one vane that is unbalanced , which is why the kit number with multiple weight . reprize this cognitive operation with each blade until the fan can rotate without rattling or coggle .