why does my air fryer make a loud clicking noise every few minutes while it's running? sounds like a relay or something

— asked by Alex

Quick answer: Yeah, this one's common. That's the sound of the internal thermostat cycling the heating element on and off to maintain the set temperature.

Diagnosis

Yeah, this one's common. That's the sound of the internal thermostat cycling the heating element on and off to maintain the set temperature. It's a mechanical relay, and it's normal operation.

How to Fix It

No fix needed—it's supposed to do that. The Vortex Plus uses a simple on/off (bang-bang) controller, not a smoother proportional controller. You'll hear a distinct "click" when it turns the heat on, and another "click" when it turns it off. The frequency increases during initial preheat and decreases once the target temp is stable.

If That Didn't Work

If the clicking is constant, rapid, and non-stop (like a machine gun), or accompanied by the unit powering off, that's a fault. Unplug it and contact Instant Pot support.

Heads Up

The noise is more noticeable on certain functions like "Bake" or "Roast" which cycle more frequently. "Air Fry" mode might hold a more consistent heat with slightly less frequent clicks.

📖 Instant Pot Troubleshooting Guide - Pressure Cooker Problems Solved
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