What does it mean when your heater keeps clicking?

Author: Dr. Jazlyn Johnston  |  Last update: Thursday, November 13, 2025

If your furnace is making a clicking noise, this is a sign of an issue occurring during the heating cycle. When you hear clicking from your furnace, you should contact an HVAC professional immediately, as this strange sound may indicate a faulty igniter or gas valve. Issues with these parts can result in a gas leak.

How to fix a clicking heater?

Gas furnaces rely on a smooth ignition process to kickstart the heating cycle. Clicking noises during ignition could signify issues with the pilot light or electronic ignition system. Solution: Schedule a professional inspection to clean or replace the pilot light, ignition components, or flame sensor.

How do I stop my furnace from clicking?

A good cleaning and calibration should resolve the problem. Bearings keep the blower running smoothly. Just like any other furnace component, however, they can wear out. Dirt, dust, and debris may block the bearings, and when this happens, odd noises are common.

Why does my heating keep clicking on and off?

Temperature fluctuations – If you subject your thermostat to frequent temperature changes, it might end up clicking more often, simply because of more frequent use. It can, however, also hint at a need for recalibration.

Why does my heat press keep clicking?

A: This is an auto setting to maintain temperature. It 'clicks' off when temp is reached and 'clicks' on when the temp needs to rise. This is normal operation.

Furnace just clicking and not turning on NO HEAT

Why does my heater thermostat keep clicking?

Yes, it is normal for the thermostat to make clicking noises. The clicking noises are the relay opening and closing to let the power through to the heating system.

How do I stop my heating from clicking?

How to stop your heating pipes from making noises
  1. Bleed your radiators.
  2. Clean your system.
  3. Secure loose pipes.

How do I stop my electric heater from clicking?

Loosening or tightening some screws can stop the noise from a baseboard heater. Noise can be caused by insecure installation of the heating element inside the electric baseboard heater, or poor installation of the heater itself on a warped or uneven wall or baseboard.

Do heaters make clicking noises?

A clicking noise is normal when your furnace is first turning on. If your furnace starts to click, the blower turns on, and then back off again, you could have a problem with your flame sensor. Rattling and Scraping Metal. This can indicate an issue with your blower motor or wheel.

How do I stop my vents from clicking?

CLEAN, SEAL, AND INSULATE DUCTWORK

While it may cost some money, the most effective solution short of replacing your entire duct system is to clean, seal, and insulate the ductwork. This will reduce pressure differences and soften the effects of any expanding and contracting metal ducts.

Why is my electric furnace clicking?

Clicking sounds coming from your furnace are typically a sign of a malfunction in any or several of the furnace's components. For instance, it could mean a bad connection within your furnace ductwork—it could also mean a faulty pilot light. Furnace clicks could also mean worn motor bearings or a cracked fan shaft.

How do I know if my furnace ignitor is bad?

The Short Answer Is: Warning signs of a bad furnace ignitor include the furnace not starting or heating, a noticeable clicking sound without ignition, or frequent short cycling where the furnace turns on and off rapidly. Additionally, if the ignitor appears cracked or discolored, it may need replacement.

Why is my furnace clicking multiple times before starting?

This is one of the more serious issues that a clicking furnace can warn you about. The clicking noise means the igniter or pilot light isn't getting any gas to ignite. The cause for this could be stuck gas valves, or it could be a gas leak in the line.

Why is my HVAC clicking?

Think of the AC capacitors as batteries that store and release electrical energy to the compressor giving it the “juice” needed to start running your AC unit. When the capacitors or contactor is faulty, your outdoor AC unit will start to click. The clicking is either of these two components trying to start your unit.

How do you know if you have a bad flame sensor?

Short cycling is a common sign of a bad flame sensor. The sensor thinks that there isn't a flame, so it shuts off the gas as a safety mechanism. Except, there is a flame and without the gas to supply it, it dies. This is a frustrating problem, but an HVAC technician can fix it.

Why won't my heater stop clicking?

If you're hearing a furnace clicking sound, then a faulty ignitor or gas valve could be the cause, but those aren't the only possible sources. Other possibilities include: Faulty/dirty flame sensor: A flame sensor detects whether the gas inside your furnace is lit.

Is it normal for my heater to make noise?

A low hum is normal while the furnace runs, but if the noise is loud during a cycle or comes on when it wasn't present before, there could be an issue with the fan or capacitor.

How do I stop my electric igniter from clicking?

Solution: Clean your ignition system!
  1. Turn your stove completely off and disconnect it from the power source. ...
  2. Take the burner cap off and scrub around the igniter. ...
  3. Unclog the fuel ports. ...
  4. Clean any grease or gunk off with rubbing alcohol. ...
  5. Replace the burner cap, reconnect your stove, and see if the clicking stops.

Should my furnace be clicking?

Clicking furnaces are more than a nuisance. Gas furnaces, especially, should be checked out by an HVAC professional for any clicking sound or other strange noise. Clicking from gas furnaces often indicates a problem with the gas valve or ignitor—and you certainly don't want a gas leak.

How to get rid of trapped air in pipes?

Turn On Faucets Throughout Your Home

It is only necessary to open the faucets a half turn to allow the air in your pipes to escape. After you turn on all the cold and hot water faucets in your house, you should also flush your toilets to clear out the air trapped in your pipes.

Why does my house make a clicking sound at night?

Thermal expansion and contraction: As the temperature changes throughout the day, the materials in your walls/ceilings may expand and contract, creating clicking sounds as they move. This is normal and harmless, but it can be annoying.

Why does my electric heater keep clicking?

If you're having problems with your heating system, the issue might be due to a damaged capacitor, especially if you hear clicking sounds from your heater. Clicking heater noises often mean your furnace's capacitor is failing and not properly regulating electricity to your blower fan.

Why does my heating make a clicking noise?

Air in the system

If there is air running through the pipes and radiators as well as water, it can create a tapping or clicking noise. You may even be able to hear water gurgling.

What does the click mean on a thermostat?

The click you hear from your thermostat is probably the electrical relay triggering the power to the furnace, air conditioner or heat pump. It is a normal sound. The sound should be soft and barely noticeable.

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