How to Fix a Wobbly Overhead Fan

When a ceiling fan wobbles, the vibration can damage the fan and shorten its life. Usually you can trace the problem to one of three sources: The fan isn't securely fastened to the ceiling, the blades are unbalanced or the blades are warped.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clothespin
• Adjustable Pliers
• Replacement Blade
• Screwdriver
• Stepladder
• Weight kit, or epoxy and coins

Securing the fan

1. Standing on a stepladder, grasp the fan body and try to shake it. If it moves easily, the screws that hold the fan to the junction box may be loose.

2. 

   While a helper supports the fan, remove the screws from the canopy. The fan will now be free from the ceiling, so your helper must hold it securely.

3. Tighten the screws that hold the ceiling plate to the junction box.

4. Reinstall the canopy.

Balancing the blades

5. Attach a clothespin to the edge of a blade, about halfway from the end. Start the fan on slow speed and check to see if the wobble disappears. If it doesn't, move the clothespin to another blade and repeat. Continue until you've tested all the blades. If the fan stops wobbling at any point, the last blade tested is unbalanced.

6. Balance the problem blade by attaching a weight to the middle of the top edge, about halfway from the end of the blade. You can buy a weight kit, or use epoxy to glue one or more coins to the blade. Experiment to determine how much weight you need to add.

Fixing warped blades

7. Remove the blades one at a time, using a screwdriver and, if necessary, adjustable pliers to hold any retaining nuts. Lay each blade on a flat surface. If a blade won't lie flat, it is warped.

8. Obtain a replacement from the manufacturer or a dealer (take the old blade with you so you can get one that's the same length and weight) and install it.

Tips & Warnings

• If your unit continues to wobble despite your taking these steps, have an electrician check the junction box. Heavy fans require sturdy boxes to support the weight.

[acidburn22]

on 9/9/2009 Perfect! Thank you! It was off balanced. We have been dealing with the clicking from the fan for almost 2 years now and it was driving us crazy. It is all quiet now. Thanks again. Great instructions.

[johonkey]

on 5/30/2009 Whats up . I fixed my fan but all that needed to be done was bend the blades back into place. They look metal but they bend real easy. So I would say give it a real real good visual inspection b4 you start taking screws out. I removed all of them and stripped one and lost one in the process. But really I didnt need to take them out. So check the blades 1st

[Garibaldip]

on 9/11/2007 THis article help me alot. I went to the first step and it fix the problem.
Thanks for your help!