Why is my ceiling fan wobbling?

What causes ceiling fan wobbling

Loose screws are the usual cause. HDB's guide to maintaining electrical accessories and wiring says loose screws can result in noisy or shaky fans, and that the screws loosen over time from the fan's vibrations. Its fix is to tighten them with a screwdriver, particularly the screws on the fan, the ceiling plate and the light fixture, if there is one.

That gives you three places to check:

• The fan. The screws that hold each blade, and the screws on the fan body.
• The ceiling plate. The screws that hold the canopy where the fan meets the ceiling.
• The light fixture. The screws on the light fitting, if your fan has one.

Because vibration does the loosening, a fan that was steady when it was fitted can start to shake later. If the wobble carries on after every visible screw is tight, or the mounting looks damaged, call an electrician.

Check and tighten it safely

You need a screwdriver that fits the fan's screws and a stable ladder.

1. Switch off and wait. Turn the fan off at the wall switch and wait until the blades have stopped completely.
2. Set up a stable ladder. Stand it on a dry, level floor below the fan so you do not have to overreach.
3. Tighten the blade and body screws. Check each screw on the blades and the fan body and tighten any that are loose. Hold the blades steady without bending them.
4. Check the canopy at the ceiling plate. If the canopy moves or rattles, tighten its screws at the ceiling plate.
5. Check the light fitting. If the fan has a light, tighten the screws on the fitting. Then switch the fan on at a low speed and watch it run.

If the wobble and the ceiling fan noise have stopped, the job is done. If either carries on, do not take anything apart to look further. The sections below cover other noises and when the job becomes electrician work.

Cleaning and noise

HDB's care guide says to clean a ceiling fan at least once a month. Remove thin dust with a vacuum cleaner and a brush attachment, and wipe thicker dust off both sides of each blade with a damp cloth, without shaking or bending the blades too much.

For noise, HDB says a humming noise can usually be resolved by lubricating the fan with light machine oil. If the humming persists, a fan supplier or installer can fit an insulation pad, such as a fan rubber, at the base or repair the fan. An intermittent noise may come from loose blades or screws, so tighten them. If it persists, the rubber holding the fan may need replacing by a fan supplier or installer.

Thinking of replacing an old fan instead? See our guide to ceiling fan installation.

When it is electrician work

Tightening visible screws is simple upkeep. Work on the wiring or the light point is not. The Energy Market Authority (EMA) says electrical work at home should be carried out or supervised by a Licensed Electrical Worker. EMA says electrical work in an HDB flat needs a Licensed Electrician, the class of LEW approved for loads of up to 45kVA. EMA's guide to engaging licensed workers lists the installation, repair or modification of electrical wiring, and the addition, extension or replacement of power points such as switches and lighting points, among that work.

EMA also says to verify the worker's licence card before any electrical work starts. You can search licensed workers on EMA's ELISE portal.

A ceiling fan not working at all, one that will not start, is a job for an electrician. Do not open the switch, the light point or the ceiling box to look for the cause.

If you plan to replace the fan, HDB's renovation guidelines for electrical works say installing a ceiling fan needs no permit, but the fan must weigh no more than 6kg, with at least 2.4m clear height from the floor to the blades. HDB does not allow new wiring to be embedded in walls or plaster.

For more on which jobs need a licensed worker, see work that needs an LEW.

When to stop and call an electrician

Stop the DIY checks and call an electrician if:

• The fan still wobbles after you have tightened every visible screw.
• The motor keeps humming after oiling, or you notice a burning smell.
• The mounting or the ceiling hook looks loose or cracked.
• You see sparks, or the light on the fan flickers. If the light has stopped working, see light not working.

If the smell seems to come from a power point instead, see burning smell from a socket.

What an electrician charges depends on the job. See electrician costs or compare electricians in the directory.

Questions