How to Fix a Wobbly Ceiling Fan

Fixing a fan is a simple DIY project anyone can do. Here are some things to try if you need to know how to fix a wobbly ceiling fan. Things like dirty or loose fan blades, loose screws and sagging fan blades can all preventing your ceiling fan from working properly. Inspect all parts of your fan and clean regularly. If this doesn’t fix a noisy ceiling fan, a ceiling balancing kit may help too.

Instructions

Thoroughly clean your ceiling fan. Accumulated dust and grime can throw your fan off balance. Turn off the ceiling fan and use a damp rag to gently wipe each blade. Keep your fan clean to prevent dust and dirt from clogging the motor and also prevent dust and allergens from circling when you turn it on.

Tip

If the blades are especially dusty use a pillowcase to wipe each blade so the dust goes inside the pillowcase and not all over the floor.

If cleaning didn’t fix your ceiling fan, check to see if all screws and mounting hardware are secure. Before you begin working, turn off the power to your ceiling fan at the breaker box. To learn more, see our video What’s in My Breaker Box?

Once the power is off, remove the cover from the fan mounting bracket and check that all interior screws are tight. Replace the cover and tighten any remaining screws.

Next, check the screws on both ends of the ceiling fan downrod — the rod that attaches to the ceiling fan motor and to the mounting bracket on the ceiling. Tighten as needed. Once everything is secure, flip the breaker switch on. Turn on the ceiling fan to see if you’ve solved the problem.

Caution

Working around electricity can be dangerous if you don’t follow the proper safety protocols. If you’re not sure how to work with electricity safely, contact a professional. Also, it’s a good idea to check exposed wiring with a noncontact voltage tester to ensure the power is off.

If none of the previous options work, try a ceiling fan balancing kit. These kits have a weighted clip and small balancing weights with glue pads.

Turn off the fan. Place the clip on the back edge of one of the fan blades, halfway between the bracket and the tip of the fan blade. Turn the fan on at the highest speed to see if the clip stabilizes the fan. If not, try the clip on each of the other fan blades to see if you notice a difference.

Once you’ve found the blade causing the wobble, slide the clip along the blade until you’ve found the ideal location to place the weight. Once you have, peel the protective layer off the sticky side of the balancing weight, line it up with the fan clip in the center of the fan blade and press firmly to attach it.

Wait for the glue on the back of the weight to dry before turning the fan on. Remove the clip once the balancing weight is secure.

Tip

Label and number each blade using painters tape and a pencil to keep track of which blades you’ve tested.

If none of the above steps fix the fan, you may need to contact a professional. There could be a problem with your fan’s motor, or the mounting bracket may need to be properly secured to the ceiling joist.

It’s also possible that the outlet box isn’t rated to accommodate the weight of your ceiling fan. If your fan is old, it may be time to replace it with a new one. For help, see our Ceiling Fan Buying Guide and How to Install a Ceiling Fan.

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Ceiling Fan Maintenance Tips

Clean the ceiling fan monthly – Give your ceiling fan, including the fan blades and the ceiling fan globe a quick wipe every time you deep clean your house. Use a pillowcase to catch the dust or a damp rag to keep the dust from flying around the room. Do this before you clean your floors, so you aren’t doing double work. This should only take a few minutes if you do it on a regular basis.

Replace ceiling fan blades as necessary - Replace fan blades as soon as you notice they are warped or sagging. Outdoor ceiling fans will need replacing more often, especially if you live in a humid climate. If the ceiling fan is old, it might be best to replace it altogether.

Regularly tighten screws – If you hear any rattling coming from your ceiling fan, this might mean you have loose screws. Tighten them on a regular basis to reduce ceiling fan noise and keep it working properly.

Change ceiling fan direction each season – The direction of your ceiling fan makes a big difference depending on what season it is. In the warmer months, your ceiling fan should spin counterclockwise to create a down breeze. In the cooler months switch it to spin clockwise to pull cool air up and help warm the room.

How to Balance a Ceiling Fan

How to Fix a Wobbly Ceiling Fan

Instructions

Ceiling Fan Maintenance Tips

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