Efficient, portable, and inexpensive, standing fans are the go-to cooling solutions for many people. Some even enjoy the whirring sounds the fans make as they move air around, claiming they help them concentrate, fall asleep, or drown out noisy neighbors.
However, trouble ensues when these sounds go from soothing spinning to squealing, thumping, and rumbling. In such cases, chances are that the fan is malfunctioning in some way. Here are the possible causes, as well as what you can do to fix them.
Why Is Your Fan Making Noise?
First things first, it is important to establish that no fan can be 100% soundless. Even if the manufacturer claims it is, the device will make at least a little noise as its blades spin.
With that said, this noise should not be so loud that it disrupts your daily life. In addition, it should not include anything similar to thumping, grinding, squeaking, or rumbling.
If it does, you are likely dealing with a standing fan problem that may vary in its severity. We’ll cover some of the potential causes below.
Lack of Lubrication
Sometimes, fans make noise because the blades are not sufficiently lubricated. Think about it — if they cannot spin seamlessly, they will end up grinding against one another and making excess noise.
This issue is most common in older fans. Namely, motors dry out with time, which means less lubrication for the blades as they continue to spin. The result is grinding and rumbling, as well as the blades’ inability to turn as fast as they once could.
Dirty Fan Blades
Dust, dirt, and debris can all easily accumulate on your fan blades. As a result, the blades can make all kinds of excess noise, including thumping and grinding. And the dirtier the fans are, the louder this noise is going to get.
Loose or Worn-Out Parts
With time and constant use, certain parts of your fan — especially the screws, bolts, and fasteners that keep everything together — can become loose.
In most cases, this fact will lead to squeaking and rattling, as the fan blades will not be secure enough to spin seamlessly. Additionally, you could feel and hear your fan vibrating in a stilted and unnatural manner.
Aside from bolts and screws, fan bearings and belts can also wear out with time. They can also contribute to excess noise, particularly by making your fan thump and rumble.
Misaligned Parts
Did you accidentally drop or bump your fan against a hard surface recently? Even if it looks completely unchanged, such a situation might have still led to the misalignment of the fan blades.
If that is the case, the fan blades will wobble as they rotate, making all types of noise in the process. Unless you address this issue immediately, the misalignment could put too much strain on the motor and cause a whole other array of problems.
Motor Issues
Speaking of the motor — your standing fan might also be making noise due to issues connected to this integral part. After all, the motor is the fan’s powerhouse, and if it fails, the whole device will show signs of it.
The motor problems that generally lead to excess noise are wear and tear, degradation due to age, as well as mechanical failures. As for the noise these issues cause, it can range from mild humming to loud grinding.
What Can You Do to Fix Your Noisy Fan?
Now that you know all the possible causes of a noisy fan, it’s time to delve into the solutions you can try. Read on!
Proper and Regular Lubrication
If you find that your fan motor just needs some lubrication for the noise to cease, the fix will be extra easy. As you can see in this video, this entire process can be over in just about 10 minutes, and you only need to buy some quality oil.
The key to ensuring this problem doesn’t reoccur is to oil the motor — and all mobile parts of the fan — regularly. That way, you will help the fan run more easily and extend its lifetime.
Regular Cleaning
Cleaning your fan regularly is another essential tip for keeping it running smoothly. So, if you notice that the blades and their surroundings are full of dust and dirt, make sure to get everything spotless once more.
Luckily, this task is quite easy once you get the hang of it. You just need to unplug the fan and use a soft cloth to clean the blades and the visible part of the motor housing.
Aside from a cloth, you can also speed up the process by vacuuming the area. However, always use a soft brush attachment to do this so that you don’t damage the blades.
It is pivotal to repeat this process about once a month during the season you use the fan the most. And if it is always on, you can make the cleaning sessions even more frequent.
Fasten or Replace Loose Parts
In case any of the nuts or bolts keeping the fan together have come loose, you should fasten them with the appropriate tool. The screws will be both easy to spot and fix up, and you’ll be done in a few minutes. Just make sure you don’t overtighten anything, as it could lead to more noise.
And if you see that certain parts of your fan have become worn with time, replacing them will be your best bet. That is especially the case with fan bearings, as they facilitate the smooth spinning of the blades.
Now, replacing the bearings can be quite complex, especially with modern and high-end fans. Thus, it is a good idea to get help from a professional and have them handle the whole process.
If you decide to DIY it, make sure you have your fan handbook close by. Follow all the instructions the manufacturer might have included on it to make the process as easy as possible.
Fix the Blades’ Alignment
Ensuring your blades are properly aligned is crucial for the fan’s operation. So, if you can see that the blades are wobbly, bent, or damaged in any way, you should fix them.
For mere misalignment, just straightening and tightening the blades in the correct position will be enough. But if the blades are visibly damaged, replacement might be a better option.
In case you find the task a bit too much for your DIY skills, calling in a professional is always a good option.
Check the Motor
And finally, motor issues are the easiest to diagnose but the most challenging to sort out (especially on your own). Namely, if you can discern that all parts are securely tightened, aligned, and clean, you can be quite sure that the problem lies in the motor.
Now, taking apart the fan and accessing the motor is not that difficult. However, actually assessing it and doing what’s necessary to make things better is a whole different story.
So, in this case, it truly is best to contact a professional. Motors are not easy to fix, especially if you’re not well-versed in doing so. And if a replacement is necessary — which it often is — you surely won’t be able to do it on your own.
To Sum Up
Although a standing fan will always make some noise as it cools you, you shouldn’t really hear excess rumbling, thumping, squeaking, or grinding as it spins. If you do, it is time to examine your fan closely.
Most of the time, stopping the noise will be as easy as cleaning and oiling the fan or fastening some screws. However, if anything needs replacing — especially the motor — it’s wise to call a professional. That way, your fan will be in good hands, and the incessant noise will soon become a thing of the past.
