Short answer
If your ceiling fan wobbles, turn it off and wait for it to stop. From a sturdy ladder, tighten the screws that hold each blade to its bracket. Measure from the ceiling to each blade tip: they should match. Then use a balancing kit: clip it on one blade at a time to find where the wobble drops, and stick the weight there. Loose mount? Stop using the fan and call an electrician.
Safety first
Turn the fan off at the wall switch and wait until the blades stop. Use a sturdy ladder and have someone nearby. If the fan sways a lot or the mount looks loose, stop using it. Do not open the canopy at the ceiling or touch the wires.
How to fix a ceiling fan that wobbles
1The fan wobbles when it spins
A little sway on high is common. A fan that rocks hard, clicks or shakes the light kit needs attention.
Read all the steps
- The fan wobbles when it spins. A little sway on high is common. A fan that rocks hard, clicks or shakes the light kit needs attention.
- Turn it off and wait until it stops. Use the wall switch, then wait for the blades to stop completely before you climb the ladder.
- Tighten the blade screws. Snug the screws that hold each blade to its bracket, and the brackets to the motor. A loose blade is the most common cause.
- Measure each blade tip from the ceiling. All the tips should be the same height. If one sits lower, its bracket may be bent: replace the bracket or the blade set.
- Balance it with a clip kit. Clip the weight on one blade, run the fan and watch. Move it until the wobble drops the most, then stick the weight on top there.
- Still shaking or the mount moves? Call. The ceiling box or the bracket may be loose or not made to hold a fan. Stop using it and call an electrician.
- Still not fixed? Call an electrician Especially if: the fan still wobbles after you tighten and balance it.
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Why a ceiling fan wobbles
- Loose screws on the blades or the brackets.
- A bent bracket or a warped blade, often after cleaning or a bump.
- Blades that do not weigh the same, or one from another set.
- A loose downrod or mount, or a ceiling box that is not made to hold a fan.
- Dust built up more on some blades than on others.
What not to do
- Do not keep running a fan that rocks hard or clicks.
- Do not hang on the blades or bend them by hand to fix the wobble.
- Do not open the canopy at the ceiling or touch the wires.
When to call an electrician
- The fan still wobbles after you tighten and balance it.
- The canopy or the mount moves when you touch it, or the fan has dropped.
- You hear clicking, grinding or a hum from the motor.
- The ceiling box is not rated for a fan, or you are not sure it is.
Frequently asked questions
Is a wobbling ceiling fan dangerous?
A small wobble usually is not. A fan that rocks hard, clicks or has a loose mount can come down, so turn it off and have an electrician check the mount.
How do I balance a ceiling fan without a kit?
Tape a coin to the top of one blade, run the fan and move the coin along the blade until the wobble drops. Then try the next blade. A clip kit makes it easier.
Why does my ceiling fan wobble on high?
High speed makes small differences in blade weight or angle show. Tighten the screws, check the blade tips and balance it.
Can a wobbling ceiling fan fall?
It can if the mount or the ceiling box is loose or not rated for a fan. A wobble alone rarely brings it down, but check the mount and call an electrician if it moves.
How much wobble is normal for a ceiling fan?
A slight sway on high is common. If you can see it rock from across the room, or the light kit rattles, balance it.
Why did my ceiling fan start wobbling all of a sudden?
Often a blade screw worked loose or a blade got bent while cleaning. Turn it off, tighten the screws and measure the blade tips.