Step 1
Turn on the fan and watch it very intently to detect any movement, wobble or vibration. Turn the fan off if you notice movement, since more than likely the fan blades are out of balance or the mounting simply needs tightening.
Step 2
Remove the fan blades, turn the fan back on and check closely for movement. Check the mount, if it still moves. If you find the mount to be secure, it is in the motor that's malfunctioning. Call the retailer from whom you purchased it. Use the balance kit to even out the blades of the fan if you see no movement with the blades removed.
Step 3
Check the fan for the cause of any noises you may hear while it's running. Listen for the kind of noise and any odors you may smell. Refer to the owner’s manual for your particular model and review how to replace the drive capacitor if you hear a sizzling noise and smell a burning odor. Evaluate this repair as it is described in the manual to decide whether you want to attempt it, or a serviceman needs to do it.
Step 4
Look at whether or not the fan was mounted directly to a ceiling joist if you hear a humming noise. Often even the slightest movement from a fan mounted directly to a ceiling joist will cause amplified noise. Use the sound insulators, which come with each fan, to see if the noise stops.
Step 5
Take off the housing cover to inspect the mesh that covers the upper and lower vents if you hear any clicking noise. Refer to your owner’s manual for how to do this with your particular model. Order and replace the motor in the fan if you hear a grinding noise in the fan when it is running on any speed.
Step 6
Measure the distance from the ceiling to the fan blades, if there is no air movement from the fan, even though the motor is running and the blades are turning. Adjust and re-hang the fan so the blades are roughly at 8 feet off the floor in a room with 9-foot ceilings or higher.