Tower fans are marketed as noiseless, but mechanical issues can cause them to be extremely loud. You don’t want your tower fan to be louder than a traditional floor fan, so focus on the internal parts and balance to keep the tower fan quiet.
Causes of Tower Fan Rattling Noise and Solutions
Your tower fan is so loud because of the following:
- Bearings that are loose
- Motor overheating
- Inadequate bearing lubrication
- Fan blades and a front grill that is dirty
- Modes with increased speed
- The tower fan motor is unbalanced.
Throughout this post, I’ll explain why your Tower fan is so loud, what you can do about it, and how to avoid it in the future. I’ll also explain why you might need to replace your tower fan due to a damaged motor, loose bearings, or other issues.
Loose Bearings
Your noisy tower fan might face a problem due to loose bearings. Vibrations, unbalanced fan blades, or running the fan on an improper surface can cause these bearings to become mismatched. The bearings of a tower fan are located on the motor shaft. The shaft rotates the blades but it cannot move without a bearing.
How to Fix it
Tighten the bearings by following these steps:
- Disconnect the tower fan from the wall.
- Locate the bearing and shaft by loosening the retaining screws.
- Tighten the screws after removing the motor from the preserving plate.
- Check your work to make sure that the bearings are no longer loose.
Keep in mind that some tower fans cannot be opened. Before attempting any of the solutions in this post, see if the manufacturer disallows people from working on the fan. Realigning the bearing can also solve your rattling tower fan.
Motor Overheating
Tower fan motors that have overheated can become quite loud. Here are some of the reasons why the motor is too loud:
- Bearings for grinding machines
- Insufficient airflow
- Runtimes that are excessive
Continuously running your tower fan for several weeks or months will ultimately plug up it and overheat the motor. If the capacitor becomes too hot for a long period of time, it may need to be replaced.
How to Fix it
- If the company can provide the part number for your tower fan, replace the bearings.
- Using compressed air and paper towels, clean the Dust from the fan’s blades.
- Never run the tower fan for longer than the manufacturer’s time limit (or more than six to ten hours). I run my tower fan all night, then take a multi-hour break before using it again.
The motor is not lubricated
The tower fan’s bearings will crush against the motor shaft if the motor is not lubricated. It will produce a loud rattling sound, ultimately destroying the bearings, motor, and shaft. If you don’t lubricate the tower fan frequently enough, you’ll most likely have to replace it. To determine how frequently you should add lubricant, consult the manufacturer’s recommendations.
How to fix it
- Turn off the tower fan. Electrical shocks must be avoided at all costs.
- Take the holding screws out. Remove the fan shelter from the motor to reveal the bearing and shaft.
- Lubricate the motor shaft and bearing. To lubricate the parts around the tower fan, use WD-40. They include straws for personal lubrication.
Tower Fan Blades That Are Dirty
The tower fan’s blades can become jammed with dust, sludge, and other wreckage. The dust not only damages the motor by making the blades heavier but also overheats the tower fan. In fact, one of the many reasons your tower fan isn’t blowing air or cooling the room is because the fan blades are dirty.
How to fix it
- Spray an all-purpose cleaner on the tower fan blades. I recommend turning off the fan and unplugging it to avoid electrical problems. To remove the solution, wipe the blades with a paper towel or a microfiber cloth.
- Always keep liquids away from the tower fan. It’s also a good idea to keep the humidity low. Some liquids leave a sticky vibe on the blades that is difficult to detect until it is too late. If stuck, The spots must be washed with sandpaper.
High-Speed Suggestions
Change the speed of your tower fan to increase its sound. Many popular tower fan brands list the decibel level of the lowest setting, which may lead you to believe that the fan is noiseless. Before making a complaint, make sure you test how loud the highest setting is.
How to fix it
The only option here is to slow down. If the tower fan is louder than claimed, measure the decibels (DB) and contact the manufacturer. You could use the tower fan to create white noise, but make sure to notify the company if you notice any of the following noises:
- Grinding
- Screeching
- Rattling
- Louder than normal operation
Tower Fan Motor Is Unbalanced
If your tower fan is shifted, the bearing will be pushed against the fan’s plastic housing. The scraping sound will create an echo all across the space. It can also cause the tower fan to vibrate against nearby surfaces, such as loose screws. Unbalanced motors in some tower fans prevent the fan from swinging.
How to fix it
- Check that the tower fan is balanced and level.
- To ensure the fan’s base is flat and level, place a level on top of it.
- Check the alignment of the bearings and motor by opening the fan.
It’s also a good idea to double-check that all screws are tightened. When the tower fan flows the air, loose screws cause the fan’s blades and housing to misplace.
Pad the Space Between the Halves in the Cage
Tower fan grilles can become messed up, preventing the two halves from closing properly. If you can’t close the cage on both sides, the two halves will probably vibrate against each other. And, as we’ve all heard from previous experiences, the sound of metal hitting metal isn’t exactly pleasant.
How to fix it
If you can verify where the parts are rattling against each other, you can direct your padding materials to that area. Slide some wool between the cage parts and tape it down. This is something I’ve done numerous times.
Conclusion
A tower fan’s rattling can be a major cause of annoyance. It might be important to think about buying a new fan if you are unable to stop your tower fan from rattling. For example, Dyson fans aren’t only quite bladeless fans—many of them also come with air filtration to give a decent nap.
White noise fans, on the other hand, can be your best choice. In either case, it’s better than fixing a fan that refuses to operate quietly and creates discomfort.
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