How to Install a Ceiling Fan By Yourself

Expert-approved tips to safely and securely put in a new ceiling fan

Co-authored by Allen Lee and Eric McClure

Last Updated: December 17, 2024 Fact Checked

Need to install a new ceiling fan? We can help! It might seem a little daunting at first, but it's actually quite easy to install a new ceiling fan on your own. We spoke with master electrician James Hornof and home improvement specialist Allen Lee so we could walk you through the ceiling fan installation process correctly and safely. Scroll down to get started!

How to Mount and Install a Ceiling Fan

Confirm that your electrical box is rated for ceiling fans before installing one. Assemble the fan on the ground and then hang it from the mounting plate in the ceiling. Connect the color-coded wires using wire nuts before tucking the wires in the box and securing your fan.

1

Turn the electricity off.

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Flip the fuse on the circuit breaker box to avoid shocking yourself. Lee explains that you must cut power to the area before you touch anything else. Locate the circuit breaker box in your home and turn off the power to the room or area your fan will be installed in. ^{[1]
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Expert Source

Allen Lee
Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Interview. 10 July 2020.}
- Some homes will have multiple breaker boxes, with one main and several sub-breaker boxes in different places. If you have multiple breaker boxes, turn off power at the sub-breaker box and the main box before beginning work.
- If you aren’t sure which fuse corresponds to the room where you’re installing the fan, just flip the main breaker to shut power off to the whole home.

2

Remove the old fixture or fan.

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Remove any screws holding the old fixture in place and remove it. Use a ladder to safely climb up towards the ceiling. Remove any screws or brackets holding the fan in the ceiling (don’t worry, it won’t fall to the ground). Then, twist the fan out of its bracket and hang the fan from the hook in the ceiling. Disconnect all of the wires before taking the fan down. ^{[2]
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- Take a photo of the wiring setup before undoing it if you’re worried about connecting the right wires to the new fan.
- If there is no fitting where you want to install your new ceiling fan, call a licensed electrician to install one for you. You will need to run wiring through your walls, which is very difficult to do and can be very dangerous if done wrong.
- Lee says you shouldn’t use a step-ladder—use an actual ladder with enough structural support to hold your weight. You’ll also want a ladder with a platform at the top to rest the fan on as you work. ^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Allen Lee
  Home Improvement Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 10 June 2020.}

3

Confirm the ceiling box is code or replace it.

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Inspect the box to see if you’re able to still use it. The ceiling box is a circular metal fitting that other fixtures attach to. Only a ceiling-rated box will be sturdy enough to hold the weight of your fan. Lee explains that you cannot use the existing ceiling box unless you are absolutely certain it is rated for a ceiling fan. ^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Allen Lee
Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Interview. 10 July 2020.} It should say if it’s rated for ceiling fans on the box itself. If you're unsure or you don’t see a ceiling stamp, contact an electrician—you’ll need them to install the new box anyway.
- If the ceiling box isn’t up to code, contact an electrician to have them install one. This isn’t a DIY job. The box must be installed by a professional who knows how to ground the box and run the wires correctly.

4

Attach the ceiling bracket.

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The ceiling plate/bracket is what the fan hangs on. Hold the ceiling plate up to the fan box and pull all of the wires through the hole in its center. Use the provided screws to tightly secure the ceiling plate in place. ^{[5]
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- If your new fan’s ceiling plate looks identical to the old one, you don’t need to replace it.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when working with specific parts. The method for attaching ceiling plates and brackets may vary, so consult your manual.
- If you have a ceiling medallion or any molding to go around the fitting, attach it now. This will be a decorative piece that surrounds the fitting and is secured to the roof. Use a small amount of urethane-based adhesive to hold it to the ceiling, before securing it in place with four finishing nails. For a better-finished appearance, cover the nail holes with caulk or spackle.

5

Assemble the fan.

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Follow your fan’s manual to assemble as much as you can on the ground. Minimize the amount of effort you have to put in on the ceiling by assembling the fan on the ground. Follow your manual’s instructions to connect the base plate, downrod, motor, and switches. ^{[6]
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- Pro-tip: Install half of your fan blades now. The added weight will make it easy to stabilize the fan on the ceiling as you work and you won’t have to do all of the blades after the fan is attached to the ceiling, which can be a pain to do.

6

Hang the fan on the ceiling bracket.

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Carefully hang the fan on the hook portion of the ceiling bracket. Use a ladder to carefully lift the fan assembly up towards the ceiling. Every fan has a hook or loop on the bracket to suspend the fan just below the ceiling while you connect the wiring. Look on the body of the fan for a small opening that matches the hook and hang your fan on it. ^{[7]
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- In the extremely rare off-chance your fan’s bracket doesn’t have a hook, ask someone else to hold the fan in place while you work.

7

Wire the fan.

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Connect the color-coded wires together with wire nuts. Hornof explains that while you should check your instruction manual to confirm which wire connects to what, ceiling fans are generally all the same: white (neutral) goes to white, black (hot) goes to black, and the green/copper wire is for the ground (do this one separately). Connect the wires by holding the exposed copper together and twisting a wire nut over each pair you’re connecting. ^{[8]
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Expert Source

James Hornof
Master Electrician

Expert Interview. 7 September 2021.}
- If there’s a blue wire, it’s for a dimmer, dual switch, or light. Connect it to the two black wires.
- Wiring schemes will vary between different ceiling fans. Check the manufacturer’s guide if your wires differ, or call a licensed electrician.

8

Ground the fan with the green/copper wire.

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Connect the ground wires or use the grounding screw. Hornof says the ground wire will usually be green or entirely bare. ^{[9]
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Expert Source

James Hornof
Master Electrician

Expert Interview. 7 September 2021.} It prevents electrical shocks and fires by grounding the circuit. Find the two ground wires, twist them together and secure with a plastic wire connector. Use electrical tape to keep the wires and the connector in place.
- If there is no ground wire on the fan, look for a screw attached to bare metal. Connect the ground wire to that screw.
- Safety warning: If you don’t have a ground screw, or you don’t know how to ground a wire, call a licensed electrician.

9

Secure and tuck the wires in the ceiling.

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Tuck the wires into the fan box carefully. Carefully push the wires coming from the ceiling back into the fan box to secure them. As you do, make sure the wire connectors and electrical tape stay secure and no wiring is exposed. ^{[10]
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- Exposed wiring could lead to a dangerous short circuit and further issues. If you see any exposed wiring, immediately secure it and cover it fully.

10

Finish assembling your fan.

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Now is the time to attach the canopy, fan blades, and any toggles. Attach the fan blades. One by one, lift the fan blades up to their mountings on the fan motor. Slot them into place according to the manufacturer’s guide, and use the provided screws to tightly secure them to the motor. Add any shades, aesthetic covers, etc. ^{[11]
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- Make sure the screws are as tight as you can make them. Loose screws will cause the fan blades to wobble and potentially come loose as the fan is running.

11

Install any light bulbs and glass fixtures.

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Leave any fragile or glass components for last. The bulbs will usually be very simple to wire up and secure into place (if you have to do any wiring to begin with). Check your manufacturer’s guide for instructions on how to install the lighting fixture into your specific fan. ^{[12]
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- The wiring for the lighting fixture will generally follow similar rules as wiring the fan. Connect the wires of the same color together and secure with connectors and electrical tape to prevent short-circuiting.

12

Turn the power back on and test your fan.

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Go back to the circuit breaker box or boxes and restore power the necessary sections of your home. Turn the fan on at the wall and watch it for a few minutes to make sure it is working as intended. ^{[13]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

Can I install a ceiling fan by myself?

Allen Lee
Home Improvement Specialist
Allen Lee is a Home Improvement Specialist and the Owner of Honest Lee Handyman Services, a licensed and insured handyman business servicing Sacramento, California, and surrounding areas. Working with homeowners and businesses to get their small repairs done in a timely and efficient manner, Honest Lee Handyman Services provides gutter and dryer vent cleaning along with fixture, fence, drywall, and toilet repairs.

Allen Lee

Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Answer

Yes, but when you install a ceiling fan, make sure the box you use is rated for a fan. If it's only light-rated, then it might make your fan wobble.

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Can I install my own ceiling 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

You can, but I would first make sure you have the setup in your home to install a ceiling fan. In general, there should already be a ceiling fan rated box, electrical wiring, and power to the ceiling. If you don't have these things, call an electrician for help.

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Tips

Carefully inspect the fan blades prior to securing to the fan. To check for warped wood or bent metal, stack the blades on top of each other to reveal potential balance problems. If the blades aren't balanced, they will throw the balance of the fan off and cause wobbling or loud noises.

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Follow the manufacturer's instructions for balancing. Check for balance over the entire speed range of the fan.

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Don't use a dimmer switch to control the fan. If you want to vary the speed of the fan, you will need to use a speed controller.

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Warnings

If at any point the specifics of your home or fan vary from the guide, or you feel unsafe working with electricity, call an electrician. Electricity can be very dangerous if not handled properly.

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Do not use a power screwdriver to tighten screws, as this can damage the threading and the screw head.

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Check your city regulations before beginning the installation. Many cities will require a licensed electrician to do electrical wiring for safety reasons. It may be illegal to install fixed electrical wiring if you do not have a permit or a licensed electrician.

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Things You’ll Need

Ceiling fan kit
Ceiling outlet box
Expandable hanger bar
Wire connectors
Screwdriver
Pencil
Adjustable wrench
Electrical tape
Ladder or step ladder

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[1]

Expert Source

Allen Lee
Home Improvement Specialist

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

James Hornof
Master Electrician

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

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How to Install a Ceiling Fan By Yourself

How to Mount and Install a Ceiling Fan

Steps

Turn the electricity off.

Remove the old fixture or fan.

Confirm the ceiling box is code or replace it.

Attach the ceiling bracket.

Assemble the fan.

Hang the fan on the ceiling bracket.

Wire the fan.

Ground the fan with the green/copper wire.

Secure and tuck the wires in the ceiling.

Finish assembling your fan.

Install any light bulbs and glass fixtures.

Turn the power back on and test your fan.

Expert Q&A

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Tips

Warnings

Things You’ll Need

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