Why is my nbn box clicking? What does it mean? Well, fear not, keep reading to find out!
A clicking noise coming from your nbn box can be a cause for concern, as this indicates that the device is undergoing a diagnostic test or is in a fault state.
However, the clicking sound may also come from other more insignificant causes, so exploring all the possibilities may be helpful.
When your nbn box is clicking, begin by unplugging the device from the outlet, checking all wires/connections and switching to a different power outlet.
Let’s dig deeper and learn more information!
Why is My NBN Box Making a Clicking Sound?
Many factors can cause the nbn to produce a clicking sound and unusual lights such as red or blue colour.
One primary factor is when the device is undergoing a diagnostic test or experiencing an operation fault due to a network outage, loose wires or something else.
Therefore, it’s crucial to identify all the possible causes, so let’s check all of them:
This may cause your nbn box to produce a clicking sound and probably flash in red.
To address all the possibilities in one go, jump into the troubleshooting guide!
Why Is My NBN Box Clicking? – Here’s How to Fix
Now that we know the underlying reasons, we can troubleshoot.
1. Power Cycle Your nbn Box
Sometimes, temporary power fluctuations, network glitches or irregularities can cause the nbn box to make a clicking noise.
In such a case, power cycling the nbn box is one effective fix that forces your device to shut down, clearing any residual power, temporary glitches and issues.
Here are the steps to power cycle the nbn box:
- Unplug your nbn box from the wall outlet.
- Remove the cover and inspect the cables.
- Wait for 3 to 5 minutes for a full discharge.
- Plug in the nbn box back and power it on.
Tip: Wait a few minutes for the nbn box to boot up fully. Once the nbn box is restored, check if the clicking noise persists.
2. Check for Loose Connections
One of the reasons your nbn box is clicking can be a faulty cable connection with the modem or phone line, as this can disrupt the data flow and cause signal interruptions.
This is why check all the cables connected to the nbn box and verify the connection to the ports is firm and secure.
Sometimes, due to a power outage or surge, the wiring in the setup might have been impacted, leading to a burnt odour and clicking sound.
Follow these steps to inspect the wiring in your nbn setup:
- Unplug the nbn connection box from the outlet.
- Remove all the cables connected to the nbn box.
- Inspect the entire length of the following cables:
- Power
- Ethernet
- Phone
It’s essential to check the cables for any cuts, fraying, kinks or other defects.
The clicking sound on the nbn box may be coming from a connection with a faulty port, so look at your nbn ports as well.
If you find any cables faulty, you need to replace them.
If you find any clogged ports, use a tool to eject the obstructions and verify that the wiring in the setup is intact.
Note: If you notice any faults with the wiring, contact your service provider!
3. Switch the Another Power Outlet
Are you sure the clicking sound does not come from the power adapter?
Even if not, the nbn clicking could be caused by the power supply, which involves the A/C cable, the nbn box’s port and the power outlet.
If the electrical outlet can’t deliver sufficient voltage to the nbn connection box, the clicking sound you hear likely comes from there.
The quickest way to solve such a problem would be to plug your nbn box into a different outlet and test whether the issue will re-appear.
Tip: Try using an outlet from a different room to avoid circuit power fluctuations!
4. Connect Your nbn Box Directly
One of the most important steps to undertake is to connect your nbn box directly to the power outlet.
This means that the power cable adapter must plug directly into the socket and not into a power strip, divider or smart plug.
If you were using an extender device by now, note that the clicking sound on your nbn box may be coming from an insufficient power supply.
Quick Tip: Test the outlet of your nbn box by plugging a light or a phone charger!
5. Check for nbn Service Outage
The clicking sound on the nbn box could also indicate the nbn service outage in the area.
The outage could be related to maintenance work or something else, typically occurring after a recent electrical outage/disruption.
- Visit the nbn Co Website’s outage checker.
If there is an outage, wait and consider using mobile data or a hotspot connection to stay online.
If there is no ongoing nbn outage in your area, you can try the other troubleshooting solutions!
Note: Outages typically last between 1-3 hours!
6. Check for Any Physical Damage
We suggest checking for visible damage if your nbn box is still clicking.
Any physical damage to the device disrupts the signal transmission and internal circuitry, potentially affecting its internal components and resulting in clicking noises.
If your nbn box dropped on the ground recently, or any liquids went inside, it’s not excluded that a malfunction causes the clicking sound.
Follow these steps to check for physical damage on your nbn:
- Visual examination: Inspect the nbn box’s exterior, corners, and edges for any signs of damage, such as cracks, dents, or burn marks.
- Check for loose parts: Wiggle the nbn box to notice if any loose components are rattling since it could indicate internal damage.
Is Your nbn Box Damaged?
If you notice any signs of physical damage to your nbn box.
In that case, you need professional help instead of repairing the nbn box, which could void the warranty and worsen the problem.
Tip: For nbn replacement, contact your service provider!
7. Reset Your nbn Box to Default
You can perform a factory reset on your nbn box as a last resort.
This will erase all your saved and configured settings and restore the nbn box to its default state.
If your box is clicking due to an attempt to reconnect or something else that is bugging out, the weird noises must disappear.
To factory reset the nbn connection box, follow these steps:
- Locate the “Reset button” on the back/ side of your nbn box.
- Get a paperclip or another pointed object to push the button.
- Press and hold the reset pinhole on the box for 30 seconds.
- Your nbn box will restart and perform a factory reset process.
You may not immediately be online when you turn on your nbn connection box.
So, first, listen to find out whether the clicking sounds are still there, and in a couple of minutes, you’ll be ready.
Note: After the reset, your nbn box may need up to 5 minutes to connect with the network.
8. Check the Distribution Point Unit
If you’re using an FTTC (Fibre to the Curb) nbn box connection, the service comes from a DPU (Distribution Point Unit) located somewhere on your street.
So, after a power outage or electrical surge, the nbn box may start producing a clicking noise if your distribution point unit is impacted.
However, relax because it’s not only you.
If the problem comes from the DPU, your neighbours will also be experiencing issues with their nbn connection boxes, so try to contact them.
If it turns out that only your nbn box is clicking, it’s time to seek professional assistance at nbn Support.
Quick Recap:
The solution to why is my nbn box clicking is to power the nbn box, check for the nbn service outage and inspect for loose cable connections and physical damage.
If the issue persists, test with different devices, resolve signal interference, or factory reset the box.
Follow us for more nbn troubleshooting guides!
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.