Finally, a use for your loose change
If you have a wobbly fan, the instability can be a safety hazard—not to mention irritating to hear and see. That’s why it’s important to learn how to balance a ceiling fan so you can stop the shaking and enjoy a calmer space. It may take some trial and error to figure out exactly why your fan is wobbling, but it’ll be sturdier in no time when you follow the eight steps below to balance your fan on your own.
First and foremost, cut off all power to your ceiling fan. Just turning the fan off will not keep you fully protected from electric shock. Go to your breaker and flip the switch for the room that the ceiling fan is in.
Sometimes dust and debris buildup can weigh down the blades, causing the fan to wobble or shake.
To clear off any dirt that’s causing the problem, grab your ladder and dust the blades off with a duster. If the dust has hardened, use a damp cloth or microfiber towel with a mild cleaning solution to wipe down both sides of the blade. Allow the blades to fully dry, then turn the fan back on to see if that fixes the problem.
If cleaning the fan fails to balance it, check the mounting setup to ensure it was installed correctly and avoid a potential safety hazard. A ceiling fan should be mounted to an electrical box specifically rated for fans, as a regular light-fixture box can’t support the weight. Fan-rated boxes are oftentimes labeled and mounted to a two-by-four or a specific metal fan brace.
You may need to assess this from your attic or by loosening the housing and looking from below (with the circuit breaker turned off). Check for a label indicating the box is rated for a ceiling fan, and look for hex bolts attached to the wooden or metal brace.
If the brace is wobbly, try tightening the bolts to the bracket. If you discover that the fan has been installed incorrectly, it’s best to check with a local electrician to ensure the fixture is up to code and safe. Our guide on how to install a ceiling fan can also help you determine if your setup is correct.
Another cause for an unstable fan is a misalignment of the blade arms. Over time, they can sag from normal wear and tear or humidity.
Attach a small piece of painter’s tape to each blade arm and number them. This will help you keep track of what you’ve already checked while you're rotating the fan. Check the alignment of the blades by using a yardstick and measuring the distance from the ceiling to the blade to ensure all blades are evenly spaced.
Remember, the amount of vertical space should be between eight to 10 inches to operate efficiently. If you notice one blade is out of alignment, gently bend the blade up or down so that it is even with the other blades.
If the fan and the blades are installed properly and cleaning it didn’t do the trick, check the screws to see if tightening them eliminates the problem. Look for all visible screws on the fan, and use your screwdriver or pliers to secure them. Inspect the screws on the blade holders, the support screws, and the screws on the actual housing to ensure they’re all firmly attached.
If the wobble still persists, try a ceiling fan balancing kit. If you still have the box from the original fan, check to see if one was included from the manufacturer. Otherwise, you can pick one up at your local hardware store or home center.
A ceiling fan balancing kit usually comes with a plastic clip, weights, and adhesive for the weights. Here are the basics on how to use a kit:
Attach painter’s tape to each blade arm and assign a number so you don’t lose track of the problem blade.
Slide the balancing clip to the center of the blade, and turn on the fan. Check to see if that fixes the instability.
If the fan still wobbles with the clip on the blade, turn off the fan, and add the balancing clip to the next blade. Turn on the fan to see if that fixes it.
Repeat the process until you find the blade that stabilizes the fan with the clip attached.
Once you find the problem blade, slide the clip one inch down the fan blade toward the end. Turn the fan on, and see if the wobble has gotten better or worse. Keep sliding the clip toward the end in one-inch increments until you find the most stable position.
After you have located the best position for the clip, line a balancing weight up parallel to the clip. Attach the weight with adhesive. Remove the clip.
You may need to add more than one weight to get the fan to run as smoothly as possible.
Wondering how to balance a ceiling fan without a kit? If you want to save yourself a trip to the hardware store, grab a few pennies, a tube of superglue, and some painter’s tape. Use your materials and follow the tips below:
Number the blades using painter’s tape.
Secure a penny to the center of one of the blades, and make sure it’s firmly attached with painter’s tape.
Turn on the fan to see if that stops the wobble.
If not, repeat this process with each blade until you find the culprit.
After you find the blade that is causing the shakiness, move the penny up and down the blade one inch at a time while turning the fan on and off to check for improvements. This will help you find the best position to fully eliminate the instability.
Glue the penny to the fan blade once you’ve determined the optimal position.
Sometimes, the actual blade arms may be the cause of your wobbly ceiling fan. Using your ladder, stand at eye level with the fan to look for any visible warping or deformities. Blades can warp over time, but if the fan is newer, check with the manufacturer to see if they offer a warranty and can send you a replacement blade.
Otherwise, you can purchase replacement blades by checking the manual or replacement parts guide. Keep in mind, if the fan is more than 10 years old, it’s possible the motor housing has simply weakened. In this instance, it may be worth replacing the fan and starting fresh.
With the right tools and knowledge, you can save some cash by balancing your fan yourself. However, it can be a tricky task trying to figure out what the root cause of your wobbly fan is.
If you’re feeling stumped, or the above methods aren’t working, contact a local ceiling fan technician. They’ll be able to figure out what the problem is, balance your fan, and answer any questions you may have.
If it turns out that you need to pay to install a fan, you can expect it to cost between $145 to $355. Since the wiring will already be installed, installation will be a breeze and you’ll have a properly working fan in no time.
A ceiling fan can become unbalanced because of an accumulation of dust on top of the blades, loose hardware, an incorrect initial installation, or wear to the blade holders that causes screws or fasteners to loosen up over time. In some cases blade arms can be damaged and will bend slightly, causing your fan to become unbalanced.
In most cases, it’s unlikely that an unbalanced ceiling fan will fall just because it has developed a wobble. The fasteners that are used to attach the fan to the ceiling are generally not the same parts that are used for leveling a fan, so a wobble will rarely cause a fan to fall. However, if your fan is wobbling because it has not been properly installed, that could cause it to fall, so it’s always a good idea to make sure all your screws are tight.
Most people describe the sound of an unbalanced ceiling fan as a buzzing or grinding noise. This is caused by the parts of the fan rubbing or rattling against each other as the blades spin. However, a wobbling fan can also make squeaking, rattling, or thumping sounds, depending on the severity of the balance issue.
