Fixing Ceiling Fan Noise

It’s no secret that your ceiling fan can be a little noisy. But you don’t need to call in a professional electrician to fix it — there are plenty of simple solutions. The most common causes of ceiling fan noise come down to loose components or improper installation of accessories like dimmer kits and remote control systems. Sean Dion, an electrician for Mr. Electric in Queensbury, New York, says ceiling fans that click or rattle often have a loose down rod. He recommends tightening the screws that hold it in place, as well as ensuring any light kit attachments are firmly attached to the ceiling fan and not touching the glass cover or globe.

A humming sound usually indicates there’s an issue with the motor or your electrical system. But a humming noise can also be caused by a simple problem, such as a defective receiver that doesn’t work correctly or a faulty circuit breaker that overloaded the electrical system.

If you have a rattling ceiling fan, it’s best to start by turning off the power. Then, use a damp rag to clean the fan blades to make sure excessive dust hasn’t thrown them out of balance. You may also want to wiggle the canopy cover (located at the top where the fan meets the ceiling) to see if there are any loose fasteners. If you find any, simply use a screwdriver to tighten them. Also, be sure all the fan blade screws and jam screws are firmly attached to the blade assembly.