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What to do if…
you hear a repeated clicking sound from a wall or electrical outlet

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Treat repeated clicking near a wall, socket, or outlet area as a possible electrical fault. Stop using that point, switch off the relevant circuit if you can do so safely, and arrange for a registered electrician to check it.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t ignore persistent or returning clicking near a socket, plug, wall, or appliance lead.
  • Don’t keep plugging and unplugging devices to test it.
  • Don’t use that socket again “just for now”.
  • Don’t remove a socket faceplate, poke anything into the socket, or investigate inside the wall yourself.
  • Don’t keep resetting a circuit breaker or RCD that trips; leave it off and get it checked.
  • Don’t touch the plug, socket, faceplate, or cable if it is hot, discoloured, smoking, sparking, or smells of burning.
  • Don’t try to reach the consumer unit or the socket if you are wet, standing in water, or the area feels unsafe.

What to do now

  1. Do a quick danger check. If you see smoke, flames, sparks, arcing, a strong burning smell, unusual heat, or scorch marks, get everyone to a safer place and call 999.
  2. Stop using the area immediately. If something is plugged into the suspect socket and it is safe to touch, switch the appliance off first, then unplug it by holding the plug body, not the cable.
  3. Leave unsafe parts alone. If the plug, cable, socket, faceplate, or nearby wall feels warm or looks damaged, do not touch it again.
  4. Isolate the power if you can do it safely. Go to the consumer unit and switch off the relevant circuit. If you are not sure which circuit it is, use the main switch only if you can reach it safely.
  5. Keep the area clear while you wait. Move bedding, curtains, paper, clothing, aerosols, and other items that can catch fire away from the suspect socket or wall area.
  6. Avoid nearby electrical use for now. Do not use the suspect socket, extension lead, plug, or nearby sockets on the same wall or in the same area until the fault has been checked.
  7. Arrange a registered electrician. Tell them the exact location, whether the clicking is constant or happens only when something is plugged in, and whether there is warmth, smell, flickering, tripping, buzzing, crackling, or scorch marks.
  8. If you rent, report it as urgent. Tell your landlord or agent that you have stopped using the socket and, if applicable, isolated the circuit because of a suspected electrical fault. Ask for the latest electrical safety report where this applies to your tenancy, and contact your local council’s private rented housing team if an urgent electrical safety concern is ignored.

What can wait

  • You do not need to diagnose whether the cause is the socket, appliance, wiring, extension lead, or consumer unit right now.
  • You do not need to open anything, take photographs close up, remove a faceplate, or check the wiring.
  • You do not need to decide today about rewiring, upgrades, replacement appliances, fault, blame, or costs.
  • You do not need to keep listening to confirm the pattern once you have stopped using the area and isolated power if safe.

Important reassurance

It is reasonable to take a new repeated clicking sound near electrics seriously. Stopping use, keeping clear of the area, switching off power if safe, and getting it checked are calm, protective steps.

Scope note

These are first steps only to reduce immediate risk and buy time. A registered electrician may need to test the socket, circuit, connected appliance, plug, or extension lead before anyone can safely say what caused the noise.

Important note

This is general safety information, not a substitute for an in-person electrical inspection, fire service advice, legal advice, or professional advice. If there are signs of fire or immediate danger, get to safety and call 999.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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