When a ceiling fan starts making noise, it could be due to a few different things. It could be that the blades are unbalanced, it could be that the motor is humming or it could be that it has electrical issues that should only be handled by licensed electricians. Luckily, these issues are generally easy to fix with a few tools and the knowledge of what to look for.
The first thing you need to check is that the fan is firmly mounted to the ceiling. You can do this by standing on a ladder or step stool and wiggle the fan to see if it moves. If it does move, use a screwdriver to tighten the fasteners holding it in place. Be careful not to over-tighten, as this can cause damage.
After you’ve done this, you should also make sure that the fan blades are all the same distance from the ceiling when measured at the tip of each blade. This is called “blade tracking” and it’s one of the biggest causes of vibration. To do this, you need a tape measure or yardstick and a ladder or step stool. Measure from the ceiling to the high side of a blade (most fans have a high and low side, so this is easy). If one or more of the blades are off, you can manually bend the metal blade mount up or down very slowly and carefully.
You may also want to check the motor oil. If you find that the motor is humming, this means it needs more oil. You can add oil by finding the hole in the motor, usually located close to the down rod. Most fans require a special type of oil that you can buy at most home improvement stores. Follow the instructions in your fan’s manual on how much to add.