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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
Categories
Home and Garden
Home Maintenance
Walls and Ceilings
Ceilings
Ceiling Fans
How to Balance a Wobbly Ceiling Fan Download ArticleExplore this Article Steps Steps Other Sections Expert Q&A Video Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Co-authored by Daniel Stoescu
Last Updated: September 1, 2025 Approved
Download Article X
This article was co-authored by Daniel Stoescu. Daniel Stoescu is a Master Electrician and the Owner and Operator of Home Tech Solutions, LLC in Hampton, Virginia. With over a decade of experience, Daniel specializes in wiring residential, commercial, and light industrial structures. The Home Tech Solutions team has over four decades of combined experience and offers comprehensive solutions for residential electrical needs. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 204,015 times.
A wobbly ceiling fan can seem louder than a jackhammer and more annoying, because it's right there in the room with you. But you don't have to put up with it. Read on to find out how to quickly and efficiently realign your wobbly ceiling fan.
Steps
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1 Check the fan blades for dust and build-up. It's easy to skip dusting the fan blades when you're cleaning the house, so over the course of a few months, or even years, a large amount of dust will accumulate the weight of which can misalign the blades, causing them to wobble. With the fan turned off and the blades still, clean any excess build-up off the top, sides, and bottom of the fan blades with your a household cleaner.
Turn the fan back on and check for wobble. If it continues, one of the blades is probably out of alignment.
2 Check to make sure all the blades are screwed in tightly.[1]X Expert Source Daniel StoescuMaster ElectricianExpert Interview Look at the fan's flywheel, which is the part attached to the ceiling, and find the point at which the blade attaches to the mechanism. With a screwdriver, tighten any screws that seem to be loose.[2]X Expert Source Kevin TurnerCommercial HandymanExpert Interview
Alternatively, at this point you can unscrew the fan blades and clean them further. Dust can build up in the gaps in between the blades and the flywheel, causing misalignment after a while. If any of them are loose, unscrew them, remove them, and clean the blades before replacing them securely.
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3 Measure the blade alignment. With a ruler or yardstick, measure the distance between the end of each blade (the point farthest from the flywheel, the furthest point to the right of the blade in the image, NOT where the arrow is located) and the ceiling. Do this for each blade.[3]XResearch source
If any of the distances are slightly higher than the others, try bending it up or down gently at the blade holder. Be careful not to snap or jostle anything that attaches to the flywheel. Just use a little bit of pressure to align the blade.
4 Weight the blades with a balancing clip. For a dollar or two, you can get a blade balancing kit at most home improvement stores. It should come with a U-shaped clip and some small self-adhering weights. You might end up getting more than one if you've got a significant wobble, but it probably won't be necessary.
5 Place the clip in the center of the blade. Clip the provided U-clip from the kit in the center of any of the blades, and watch to see if the wobble decreases when you turn the fan back on. Turn the fan off and move the clip to the same position on another blade. Check to see which blade is most affected by the presence of the clip by decreasing the wobble. This is the blade that you need to weight.
6 Determine the best placement of the weight. Starting in the center, move the clip out toward the end of the blade and turn the fan back on to check for wobble. Move the fan in increments of a few inches up and down the blade to determine which placement most deters the wobble of the blade.[4]X Expert Source Kevin TurnerCommercial HandymanExpert Interview
7 Weight the fan. Once you find the problem spot, remove the clip and replace the plastic clip with a stick-on weight provided in the kit. You'll want to place the weight on top of the fan. It should have a peel-off self-adhesive surface on which you fix it.
If the fan still has some wobble in it, you can add another weight to the same blade. If the wobble gets worse, remove the weight and use the clip to find a more suitable location.
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Expert Q&A
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Question Why is my ceiling fan wobbly? Kevin Turner Commercial Handyman Kevin Turner is a handyman and the owner of Red Gator Maintenance, a handyman business based in Fresno, California. Working on handyman-related projects since the age of 12, Kevin specializes in a wide variety of home improvement projects such as (but not limited to) lighting/electrical, plumbing, deck staining, drywall repairs, cabinet installation, air conditioning, trash removal, and window, roof, and appliance repairs. Kevin Turner Commercial Handyman Expert Answer Ceiling fans usually wobble if they aren't mounted or installed correctly. So that would be the first thing I'd recommend checking. Get a ladder and inspect all the screws and bolts and everything to make sure the fan is secured. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
Question How do you add weight to a fan? Kevin Turner Commercial Handyman Kevin Turner is a handyman and the owner of Red Gator Maintenance, a handyman business based in Fresno, California. Working on handyman-related projects since the age of 12, Kevin specializes in a wide variety of home improvement projects such as (but not limited to) lighting/electrical, plumbing, deck staining, drywall repairs, cabinet installation, air conditioning, trash removal, and window, roof, and appliance repairs. Kevin Turner Commercial Handyman Expert Answer It's kind of hard to describe without showing it, but there are these weights you put on the blades to counterbalance an uneven distribution of weight. You literally just attach them to the top of the fan blades. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1
Question Why won't my fan turn on? It was wobbling before, so was that a sign of the problem? Kevin Turner Commercial Handyman Kevin Turner is a handyman and the owner of Red Gator Maintenance, a handyman business based in Fresno, California. Working on handyman-related projects since the age of 12, Kevin specializes in a wide variety of home improvement projects such as (but not limited to) lighting/electrical, plumbing, deck staining, drywall repairs, cabinet installation, air conditioning, trash removal, and window, roof, and appliance repairs. Kevin Turner Commercial Handyman Expert Answer It's unlikely the wobbling was related. If the fan is super old, it could be a problem with a motor. If your fan isn't ancient though, it's almost certainly going to be the chord. People tend to pull the chord too hard and that breaks the switch that it's connected to. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
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Video
Tips
Cheaper fans or older fans usually made to wobble. If you need to replace the fan, make sure the parts are solid to ensure that your fan won't wobble next time. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Most fans on long rods are made to wobble. Try switching to a shorter one when possible. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 2
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Warnings
Be careful when you're on the ladder and don't try to do anything with the fan in motion.[5]X Expert Source Daniel StoescuMaster ElectricianExpert InterviewThanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Things You'll Need
Stepladder
Fan blade balancing kit
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References
↑ Daniel Stoescu. Master Electrician. Expert Interview
↑ Kevin Turner. Commercial Handyman. Expert Interview
↑ Kevin Turner. Commercial Handyman. Expert Interview
↑ Daniel Stoescu. Master Electrician. Expert Interview
About This Article
Co-authored by: Daniel Stoescu Master Electrician This article was co-authored by Daniel Stoescu. Daniel Stoescu is a Master Electrician and the Owner and Operator of Home Tech Solutions, LLC in Hampton, Virginia. With over a decade of experience, Daniel specializes in wiring residential, commercial, and light industrial structures. The Home Tech Solutions team has over four decades of combined experience and offers comprehensive solutions for residential electrical needs. This article has been viewed 204,015 times. 3 votes - 100% Co-authors: 20Updated: September 1, 2025 Views: 204,015 Categories: Ceiling Fans In other languages Italian Spanish German French Dutch Russian Chinese Indonesian
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Reader Success Stories
Geri Holland
Oct 31, 2017
"I learned how to balance a fan, but I also learned that it may be best to buy quality. Cheaper motors can make a hum at high speeds and cheaper blades can be plastic and feeble and not all the same, thus causing a wobble that balancing cannot fix, and a return of the fan. If you have paid an installer, this can be expensive to have them back. Thus my story goes on. I am purchasing a better fan and paying for installation again. The noise in a fan I love is a challenge, with no cure."..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Daniel Stoescu Master Electrician Co-authors: 20Updated: September 1, 2025 Views: 204,015100% of readers found this article helpful. 3 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote
Geri Holland
Oct 31, 2017
"I learned how to balance a fan, but I also learned that it may be best to buy quality. Cheaper motors can make a hum at high speeds and cheaper blades can be plastic and feeble and not all the same, thus causing a wobble that balancing cannot fix, and a return of the fan. If you have paid an installer, this can be expensive to have them back. Thus my story goes on. I am purchasing a better fan and paying for installation again. The noise in a fan I love is a challenge, with no cure."..." more
Steve Stitt
Aug 31, 2017
"I found all the steps helpful. These tips are useful to the "do-it-yourselfer"; however, it may not always work. If something has you stumped, please call a professional."..." more
N. Huppert
Aug 1, 2016
"Good step-by-step guide, even if your "ceiling fan balancing kit" is comprised of some coins and putty."
Preety Aggarwal
Sep 4, 2016
"Good article. Your graphics are unique." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Download Article Explore this Article Steps Steps Other Sections Expert Q&A Video Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Co-authored by Daniel Stoescu 
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Co-authored by: Daniel Stoescu Master Electrician This article was co-authored by Daniel Stoescu. Daniel Stoescu is a Master Electrician and the Owner and Operator of Home Tech Solutions, LLC in Hampton, Virginia. With over a decade of experience, Daniel specializes in wiring residential, commercial, and light industrial structures. The Home Tech Solutions team has over four decades of combined experience and offers comprehensive solutions for residential electrical needs. This article has been viewed 204,015 times. 3 votes - 100% Co-authors: 20 Updated: September 1, 2025 Views: 204,015 Categories: Ceiling Fans In other languages Italian Spanish German French Dutch Russian Chinese Indonesian 
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1 Check the fan blades for dust and build-up. It's easy to skip dusting the fan blades when you're cleaning the house, so over the course of a few months, or even years, a large amount of dust will accumulate the weight of which can misalign the blades, causing them to wobble. With the fan turned off and the blades still, clean any excess build-up off the top, sides, and bottom of the fan blades with your a household cleaner. 
2 Check to make sure all the blades are screwed in tightly.[1] Look at the fan's flywheel, which is the part attached to the ceiling, and find the point at which the blade attaches to the mechanism. With a screwdriver, tighten any screws that seem to be loose.[2] 
3 Measure the blade alignment. With a ruler or yardstick, measure the distance between the end of each blade (the point farthest from the flywheel, the furthest point to the right of the blade in the image, NOT where the arrow is located) and the ceiling. Do this for each blade.[3] 
4 Weight the blades with a balancing clip. For a dollar or two, you can get a blade balancing kit at most home improvement stores. It should come with a U-shaped clip and some small self-adhering weights. You might end up getting more than one if you've got a significant wobble, but it probably won't be necessary. 
5 Place the clip in the center of the blade. Clip the provided U-clip from the kit in the center of any of the blades, and watch to see if the wobble decreases when you turn the fan back on. Turn the fan off and move the clip to the same position on another blade. Check to see which blade is most affected by the presence of the clip by decreasing the wobble. This is the blade that you need to weight. 
6 Determine the best placement of the weight. Starting in the center, move the clip out toward the end of the blade and turn the fan back on to check for wobble. Move the fan in increments of a few inches up and down the blade to determine which placement most deters the wobble of the blade.[4] 
7 Weight the fan. Once you find the problem spot, remove the clip and replace the plastic clip with a stick-on weight provided in the kit. You'll want to place the weight on top of the fan. It should have a peel-off self-adhesive surface on which you fix it. 
Kevin Turner Commercial Handyman Kevin Turner is a handyman and the owner of Red Gator Maintenance, a handyman business based in Fresno, California. Working on handyman-related projects since the age of 12, Kevin specializes in a wide variety of home improvement projects such as (but not limited to) lighting/electrical, plumbing, deck staining, drywall repairs, cabinet installation, air conditioning, trash removal, and window, roof, and appliance repairs. 
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