How to Fix a Noisy Ceiling Fan: 10 Easy Solutions
A noisy ceiling fan isn’t just annoying: it can also signal your fan is in bad shape or affecting your comfort. Fortunately, you can learn how to fix a noisy ceiling fan without too much effort.
You can make a ceiling fan quieter with a little maintenance, balancing, or upgrading to a new fan. Before you consider any of those options, we’ll look at the top 10 most common causes of noisy fans, then share an easy solution for each one. In addition, you’ll get answers to common questions, like “How do I lubricate a noisy ceiling fan motor?” and “How do I make my ceiling fan quieter?”
You can also reach out to one of our technicians to take a look at your fan for you. Hamilton Plumbing, Heating, A/C, & Rooter has been helping Kansas City homeowners for over 40 years with their electrical fixtures, plumbing, and HVACs.
We can help fix your fan and keep it in working condition with electrical fixture repair, electrical wiring, and more.
10 Common Causes of Noisy Ceiling Fans (and How to Fix Them)
If your ceiling fan is grinding, rumbling, or wobbling, you’ve likely left it off to avoid the noise. Give one of these tips a try so you can learn how to fix ceiling fan noise whenever it occurs.
1: Dirty Fan Blades
If you don’t remember the last time you wiped down the fan blades, enough dust may have accumulated to cause the fan to wobble and shake. Simply use a damp cloth to clean the blades.
Remember to turn off the fan first. We also recommend not standing directly under the blades, both to keep from breathing in dust, and in case the fan becomes slightly loose. The last thing you want is for it to fall on you while you’re working.
2: Warped or Damaged Blades
Warped or damaged blades can place extra pressure on the motor and fan mount, causing shaking and noise during operation. This issue is one a professional will need to fix. We recommend reaching out to your fan’s manufacturer to get a new fan blade.
Depending on the model, you may be able to replace the blades yourself. If you want to go the DIY route, remember to turn the fan switch off before swapping in the replacement.
3: Unbalanced Blades
If one fan blade is heavier than the others, or just misaligned, you’ll hear an annoying wobbling noise whenever it’s on. You can fix this using a blade balancing kit (often included with your fan’s purchase).
If you don’t have one, you can go to the hardware store and find one compatible with your model.
4: Loose Blades
Learning how to fix a noisy ceiling fan means differentiating between different noises. If you hear a rattling or clinking noise, loose blades are the likely culprit. The screws holding your fan blades to their brackets can become loose with regular usage.
To fix this issue, turn the power off and tighten the screws holding each blade to the bracket. A simple screwdriver should do the trick.
5: Loose Blade Brackets
Another common cause of a wobbly fan is loose blade brackets. If the brackets that mount the blades to the motor become loose, you’ll have an unsteady fan that worsens over time.
You can also use a screwdriver to tighten the screws or bolts connecting the brackets to the motor. Ensure you use the correct tools to avoid inadvertently worsening the problem. When in doubt, reach out to one of our technicians, and they can take a look at the fan for you.
6: Poorly Positioned Motor Cover (Fan Shroud)
Do you hear a weird scraping or whistling noise whenever you turn your fan on? A poorly positioned motor cover (or fan shroud) can sometimes rub against your blade brackets.
Loosen the cover’s screws, then slightly adjust the position of the cover to keep the blade brackets from rubbing against it.
7: Loose Light Fixture Parts
Loose light fixtures will often rattle or wobble when they’re about to fall off. Take a proactive approach by tightening globes, shades, bulbs, and any other lighting fixture parts using a thumbscrew. Just be careful not to overtighten them, as this could cause the glass to crack.
#8: Loose Fan Canopy
Fan canopies typically have screws you can tighten. First, try to move the canopy to see if it budges gently. If it does, get a screwdriver to tighten the screws.
We recommend testing out the loose fan canopy by switching on the fan a few times. If you notice any more rattling or wobbling, turn it back off and tighten the screws more.
#9: Poor Lubrication
How do you fix a noisy ceiling fan when the problem is much deeper? One of the most frustrating causes is dry motor bearings and internal parts that cause grinding or scraping noises.
You may also notice your fan isn’t moving as quickly as it usually does. However, you can try this step-by-step process to lubricate your fan and get it back to normal:
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Turn off the power, then refer to your owner's manual to check for the oil hole.
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Use a light machine oil on the motor bearings to improve their lubrication (be sure not to use too much).
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Rotate the blades by hand to test their function, then reassemble them.
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Turn your fan on briefly to test it.
If you’re not confident doing this on your own, call us, and we’ll be happy to help.
10: Loose Mounting Screws (Ceiling Bracket)
You may hear a vibrating or humming noise because the bracket securing the fan to the electrical box is coming loose. This fix is relatively simple once you turn off the power to the fan’s circuit and remove the canopy to look inside.
Electrical safety is of the utmost importance. Make sure to use a non-contact voltage tester to make sure there’s no electricity present. Once you’re ready, use a screwdriver to tighten the screws that secure the mounting bracket to the electrical box.
Need help with navigating a malfunctioning ceiling fan? Our electrical repair team offers quick fixes and in-depth repair jobs.
4 Bonus Tips for Making Your Ceiling Fan Quieter
When learning how to fix a noisy ceiling fan, a preventative approach is sometimes the most useful. Try these tips to keep your ceiling fans quiet and running smoothly.
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Choose the Right Size for Your Space
A ceiling fan that’s too small for the room needs to be used more often, resulting in more noise. On the other hand, a ceiling fan that’s far too big may not be used often since it can make a room too drafty.
Choosing the right size fan goes a long way toward extending its life.
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Try Lower Speeds
While you’ll no doubt need to use your fan more often during the summer, lean toward lower speeds whenever possible. The less strain your fan is under, the better it’ll work.
Lower speeds are also a little less noisy while still circulating the air.
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Upgrade to a New Fan
An older model will usually have worn-out parts that need more lubrication or require tightening loose fan blade screws. Upgrading to a new fan could be just what you need to reduce noise and the need for constant maintenance.
Our electrical service is ready to help you pick an energy-efficient model that fits your home’s size.
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Get Regular Maintenance
Taking a good look at your fan for common problems like dust build-up or worn-out parts will go a long way toward preventing noise. Learning how to fix a noisy ceiling fan makes it easier to maintain your model twice per year, even if it’s just wiping it down occasionally.
When Should You Call a Professional Electrician?
If you’ve tried all these steps but still have a humming or wobbly fan, you may have a deeper electrical issue to address. You can fix a fan motor’s humming sound with professional help. A licensed electrician will have the expertise needed to take your fan apart and identify any electrical issues.
Instead of using the process of elimination, we can hone in on the problem fast and provide a lasting solution. Reach out to us to schedule an appointment, and we’ll fix your noisy ceiling fan.
Hamilton Will Help Fix or Maintain Your Ceiling Fan
Still stuck on how to fix a noisy ceiling fan? Hamilton is your local resource for electrical inspection, repair, and maintenance. We’ve been in business for over 40 years, helping homeowners fix noisy ceiling fans, old HVACs, and leaky plumbing.
Not only will we fix your issue quickly, we offer financing options and our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. You can also browse our ongoing deals to save even more money.
Want a second pair of eyes on your ceiling fan’s issue? Call us for an inspection today.