Fridge freezer making a loud clicking noise repeatedly (Bosch & Electrolux)
✅ Safe to check yourself
This is a common, low-risk check most people can do safely. Always unplug the appliance (or isolate power) before touching internal parts.
Quick TipTake a photo of the appliance's model/serial number sticker now — you'll want it if this does end up needing a part or an engineer.
An occasional, single click from a fridge freezer is completely normal — it’s usually the thermostat or compressor relay switching on or off. A repeated, rapid clicking that doesn’t settle is different and worth investigating.
What’s normal
- A single audible click every so often, followed by the compressor starting up or the fridge going quiet, is the thermostat doing its job as the appliance cycles on and off to maintain temperature.
What to check if it’s repeated/rapid
- Listen for whether the compressor actually starts running after the click, or whether it clicks and then goes silent repeatedly without the compressor engaging — the latter pattern often points to the compressor’s start relay struggling to get the motor running, sometimes due to a voltage dip or the relay itself wearing out.
- Check nothing has recently changed about your home’s electrical supply (other high-draw appliances on the same circuit, for instance) that could be causing brief voltage drops right as the compressor tries to start.
- Check the appliance isn’t overheating at the back due to poor ventilation (see our “not cooling” guide) — a compressor struggling against excess heat can sometimes cycle on and off more rapidly than normal.
When to call an engineer
If it’s genuinely a repeated click-without-starting pattern rather than an occasional single click, the start relay or compressor itself likely needs professional attention — and it’s worth having this looked at promptly, since a struggling compressor that keeps trying and failing to start can eventually burn out completely.