What causes a ceiling fan to buzz when its starting up

[SandyCat]

Only a year or so old and this nigger is buzzing. Sometimes it doesn't when starting sometimes it does then it usually stops buzzing shortly after reaching full speed.

Capacitor issue maybe?

 

[Cat tit bingo]

Could be a loose wire, bad parts or even a problem in the circuit. I'd look up the specific fan and see if there's any known issues

 

[Mojo Thief]

What's the model of fan?

Some of the cheaper ceiling fans use brushed DC motors, and as the carbon brushes wear down they start making noise.

On AC induction motors, the bearings holding the output shaft to the motor (especially if they're made of prime Chinesium) can start grinding with use.

 

[Unarmed Gunman]

You have a nest of something nasty up there, and when you turn it on it's being disturbed.

 

[SandyCat]

What's the model of fan?

Some of the cheaper ceiling fans use brushed DC motors, and as the carbon brushes wear down they start making noise.

On AC induction motors, the bearings holding the output shaft to the motor (especially if they're made of prime Chinesium) can start grinding with use.

Hampton Bay Southwind II

Can't remember how much I paid for it but $120 sounds about right. What's funny is the $79 fans lasted me a good 4 or 5 years each

 

[Mojo Thief]

Hampton Bay Southwind II

Can't remember how much I paid for it but $120 sounds about right. What's funny is the $79 fans lasted me a good 4 or 5 years each

Try spraying a bit of WD-40 in the rotor to see if that quietens anything.

 

[Just A Fat Round Bird]

It is obviously the alarm that signals to the gnomes sitting inside your fan to have the tiny gnome oxen start moving to turn the fan, duhh.