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uk Home & property emergencies clicking sound from outlet • clicking noise in wall • socket making clicking sound • buzzing or crackling socket • arcing sound from plug socket • outlet area noise • wall electrical clicking • plug socket feels warm • burning smell near socket • flickering lights with clicking • breaker tripping with noise • consumer unit safety concern • worried about electrical fire • faulty socket suspected • loose plug connection • extension lead overheating • appliance plug crackling • clicking behind wall • home electrics making noise

What to do if…
you hear a repeated clicking sound from a wall or outlet area and it worries you

Short answer

Treat repeated clicking near a wall socket/outlet area as a potential electrical fault: stop using that point and, if safe, switch off the circuit (or main switch) and arrange a registered electrician to check it.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t ignore it “to see if it stops” if it’s persistent or keeps returning.
  • Don’t keep plugging/unplugging devices to “test it”, and 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 breaker/RCD that trips—leave it off and get it checked.
  • Don’t try to reach the consumer unit or the socket if you’re wet, standing in water, or the area feels unsafe.

What to do now

  1. Do a quick danger check (10 seconds). If you see smoke, flames, sparks/arcing, or there’s a strong burning smell (or the wall/faceplate feels hot and you can’t safely assess it), 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’s safe to do so, switch the appliance off first, then unplug by holding the plug body (not the cable). If the plug or faceplate looks discoloured, smells, or feels warm, don’t touch it.
  3. Isolate the power if you can do it safely. Go to your consumer unit and switch off the relevant circuit. If you’re not sure which one, switch off the main switch. Leave it off until checked.
  4. Reduce fire risk while you wait. Keep the area clear (no bedding, curtains, paper, aerosols) and avoid running high-load items (heaters, tumble dryers, kettles) on nearby sockets if you’re not sure what’s on the same circuit.
  5. Arrange a registered electrician. Tell them: exact location, whether the clicking is constant or only when something is plugged in, and any other signs (warmth, smell, flickering lights, breaker/RCD trips).
  6. If you rent, escalate as an urgent safety repair. Report it to your landlord/agent and say you’ve isolated the circuit due to a suspected electrical fault. If relevant to your tenancy/area, ask when the electrics were last inspected and request a copy of the most recent electrical safety report (often called an EICR).

What can wait

  • You do not need to diagnose the cause (socket vs appliance vs wiring) right now.
  • You don’t need to open anything, take the faceplate off, or “check the wiring”.
  • You don’t need to decide about rewiring, upgrades, or fault/blame today—just make it safe and get it checked.

Important reassurance

It’s reasonable to be worried: electricity is normally silent, and a new repeated clicking sound can be a warning sign. Stopping use, isolating power, and getting it checked is a calm, protective response.

Scope note

These are first steps to reduce immediate risk and buy time. A registered electrician may need to test the socket, the circuit, and any connected appliances to find the cause safely.

Important note

This is general safety information, not a substitute for an in-person inspection. If there are any signs of fire or immediate danger (smoke, flames, sparks/arcing, strong burning smell, unusual heat), treat it as an emergency and call 999.

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