Common Ceiling Fan Problems and Tips to Fix Them

While fans are a great addition to every household, over time, you might start facing some ceiling fan problems in terms of sound, speed, etc. If these are your points of concern, don’t worry! This article will help you troubleshoot several issues with the fan.

8 Ceiling Fan Problems

While there are some issues which can be easily fixed, others may require professional help. So, if you ceiling fan is not working, let’s get started and learn how to keep your ceiling fan running smoothly and efficiently all year round.

1. Reduced Speed

Your ceiling fan speed problem could be a result of dirty or damaged ball bearings. People often clean the accumulated dust from the fan blades but tend to overlook the fact that this dust also accumulates on the ball bearings. Dust can even clog the lubricant and increase friction, forcing the motor to work extra hard, thereby reducing speed. 

Solution: To solve your ceiling fan speed problem, all you have to do is lubricate the ball bearings. If there is too much dust accumulation on the bearings, use rubbing alcohol to effectively clean the ball bearings.

2. Noisy Operation

The noisy operation of a ceiling fan is quite a common complaint among users. A ceiling fan is made of several moving and non-moving parts held together. Your ceiling fan sound problem could be a result of either loose screws or a problematic ball bearing.

Solution: You can get rid of your ceiling fan sound problem by tightening the screws. If the problem is due to the ball bearings, lubricate them to solve the problem.

3. Wobbly Fan

Wobbly ceiling fans appear to be on the verge of falling from the ceiling. The wobble of a ceiling fan is a common issue that can be caused by three reasons, the top ones being: a poor quality ceiling fan, incorrect installation of the fan, or one or more damaged fan blades. 

Solution: You can start by ensuring that all the parts of the fan are tightened well. You must also measure the ceiling fan blade tips to check if they are at an even distance. If they are not, one or more fan blades may be bent or warped. You must get these fan blades replaced as soon as possible.

4. Flickering Lights

Flickering ceiling fan lights can be caused by three things: a fused bulb, a loose connection with either the bulb or the fixture, and a more serious cause, voltage fluctuation.

Solution: If the problem is the fused bulb, you can simply replace it with a new one. But if the flickering is caused by a loss of connection or voltage fluctuation, you must consult your electrician to help fix the issue.

5. Stuck on One Speed

You might face this problem because of certain issues like dust-accumulated ball bearings, faulty fans, motor overheating, or a failing capacitor.

Solution: If the problem lies in the ball bearings, just lubricate them. A faulty fan might need to be replaced with a new one. But if the problem is with the motor overheating or the capacitor failing, you will have to either replace the fan blades with the correct ones or the capacitor.

6. Capacitor Burn-out

If you have a problem with the ceiling fan capacitor not working properly, you will face a ceiling fan speed problem. A capacitor will either be partially damaged or completely burned out. A damaged capacitor is frequently visible to the naked eye due to swollen plastic or discolouration.

Solution: You will have to replace the damaged capacitor with a new one.

7. Low Voltage

Your ceiling fan’s low voltage problem could be a direct result of your home’s voltage decreasing. This could lead to ceiling fan speed problems.

Solution: There are two ways to troubleshoot this problem: you can either report a low voltage supply problem to your power supplier or increase your ceiling fan speed by increasing the capacitor value.

8. The Fan Doesn’t Switch on at All

This could either happen because your circuit breaker has tripped or because of loose connections and internal defects.

Solution: You might have to replace the defective components. However, if the problem is with your circuit breaker, you must consult an electrician.

When to Buy a New Fan?

When replacing certain defective components doesn’t work, you might need to get a new one. You can even buy a new fan when your old ceiling fan loses its aesthetic appeal and no longer blends with your interiors. If you need help to choose the right fan, refer to our ceiling fan buying guide.

Crompton’s Premium Fans with Unparalleled Quality

Crompton BEE 5-star-rated ceiling fans are probably the best choice for you. These fans are energy-efficient, aesthetically appealing, provide incredible air delivery, and come with many more fantastic features. You can refer to our ceiling fan buying guide before purchasing to help you pick what best fits your requirements.

We hope this article will help you troubleshoot all your ceiling fan problems like a pro!

FAQs

1. How to increase a ceiling fan’s speed?

To increase the ceiling fan’s speed, you must first find the reason behind its low speed. You will have to either clean and lubricate the ball bearings or replace the capacitor. If the problem lies in your home’s voltage, you will have to report the problem to your power supplier.

2. Why does the ceiling fan make noise?

You might face a ceiling fan sound problem because of loose screws or problematic ball bearings.

3. Should a ceiling fan wobble?

No. A wobbling ceiling fan can be dangerous and must be fixed immediately.

4. How to change a fan capacitor?

It is recommended to consult a technician to change a fan capacitor.