Tower Fans – Page 2 – Ceiling Fan Tips

Lasko is one of the best-known brands for tower fans, but it’s not immune to common fan malfunctions. You might notice that your Lasko tower fan is making unusual noise after using it for a while. Why does this happen, and more importantly, is there anything you can do about it? Your Lasko tower fan may be making noise due to excessive dust build-up inside the fan, placing the fan on a surface that’s not flat and sturdy enough, or loose screws in the various components. A clean and thorough check and some small fixes should get your fan quiet again. The tips I’ll give you should work for most Lasko tower fan models. While each fan has different features and properties, Lasko tower fans are similar enough in design that these troubleshooting tips should be able to help you out regardless of the model you’re using. Why Is Your Lasko Tower Fan Making Noise? Before addressing the noise problem you’re experiencing with your tower fan, you should first identify the kind of noise it’s making. This can help you figure out the exact problem and what steps you need to take to correct it. Let’s review the various noises produced by Lasko Tower Fans and what they mean. Rattling, Shaking Noise The noise from your fan may sound like a vibrating sound similar to what’s produced when two objects collide. Most commonly, this occurs whenever the fan is activated or when you have the fan oscillating from side to side. This noise could be indicative of several different issues. For one, the rattling may result from the base of the fan shaking against the surface it's standing on, which typically happens when a fan isn’t adequately supported. You might also have loose parts in the fan colliding with one another. A build-up of debris in the fans can also cause this kind of noise. Scraping or Screeching Another noise you might hear from your fan is a metallic scraping or screeching noise. This sound might be constant or intermittent, depending on the underlying problem. A screeching or scraping noise can result from excessive dirt build-up causing friction in the fan’s blades. You might also be experiencing an issue with the motor at the base of the fan. Addressing these concerns can help reduce the noise level coming from your fan. Persistent Squeaking Your Lasko tower fan likely features an oscillating motion that increases the fan’s ability to cool off a larger area by moving the fan's airflow back and forth in a slow pattern. This oscillating motion operates with a rotating mechanism that uses plastic rollers to move the fan. But as these rollers wear down over time, you might notice a squeaking noise each time the fan oscillates. This noise will likely occur in regular intervals, with a few seconds between each squeak. It is a clear indication that the issue is with the rollers in the rotating mechanism rather than in the fan itself. If you're experiencing another type of squeaking, here are a few more reasons why that could be. Suggested: 6 Reasons your tower fan is squeaking Correcting the Problem Here are some troubleshooting steps that you can take to help your fan run quietly. Identifying the noise first will help you know which of the steps below to try. Clean the Fan of Any Dust One of the most straightforward fixes that could get your fan back down to a normal noise level would be to clean the fan. As air moves through the fan, dust, dirt, and other particles suspended in that air can get stuck to parts of the fan, especially the fan blades. This could hamper the smooth motion of those parts, causing excessive noise to occur. Suggested: How to properly clean a tower fan Put the Fan on a Flat, Sturdy Surface If your fan isn’t properly supported by the surface it’s resting on, you might notice unusual noises. The fan might shake or wobble unevenly on the surface, or the fan's movement might be rattling the surface itself enough to create a noise. In either case, fixing your fan’s noise issue is as simple as moving the tower to another surface. Place it on a sturdy surface that can support the fan’s weight and movement without shaking and generating noise. Suggested: Can you put a tower fan on its side? Oil the Rotating Mechanism Where the Fan Pivots If you hear a squeaking noise coming from within the fan each time the tower oscillates on its base, lubricating the rotating mechanism that powers the oscillating motion might fix your issue. This will help the mechanism move without any friction that might create excess noise. Here’s how to oil the rotating mechanism: Power off the fan and unplug it. Remove the external pieces of the tower. Once you can access the inside of the tower, locate the rotating mechanism at the bottom of the device. Locate the plastic rollers that the tower rotates on and apply some petroleum grease or another type of lubricant. Reassemble the fan and see if the rollers move more freely and quietly. Suggested: How to fix a tower fan that's not rotating Tighten Loose Screws The different parts of your fan are held together by metal screws that provide the support the fan needs to operate smoothly. Repeated use and regular wear and tear can cause these screws to loosen, potentially making the fan noisier than usual. Fixing an issue like this is as simple as finding the loose screws and tightening them with a screwdriver. Check the cover over the fan and the base the tower rests on. If there aren’t any loose screws here, unscrew the cover and check inside the fan for other loose screws that might be causing the noise. Replace the Oscillating Motor If oiling the components inside your fan or tightening any loose screws doesn’t resolve the issue, your fan’s oscillating motor may have completely worn down beyond the point of effective use. The motor will need to be swapped out with a working one if that’s the case. You may be able to find a standalone motor that fits your tower fan at a local outlet, but that’s not always possible for some models. Your best bet would be to check the Lasko website. If you can’t find a standalone motor for your model, you’ll need to replace the entire unit.