Quick Answer: A crackling or ticking sound from an electric fireplace is almost always one of two harmless things: an intentional crackling sound effect played through a built-in speaker to mimic a real fire, or thermal expansion — the metal heating element and housing ticking as they warm up and cool down, the same way a car engine ticks after a drive. Both are normal and stop on their own. A sharp electrical buzz, a burning smell, or a grinding noise from the flame motor are the signs that actually warrant unplugging the unit and contacting the manufacturer.
Electric fireplaces don’t burn anything, so there’s no physical fire to make a real crackle — which is exactly why an unexpected crackling sound catches people off guard. It’s either coming from a speaker on purpose, or from ordinary metal expansion, and telling the two apart takes about a minute.
1. Check whether it’s the built-in sound effect
A growing number of mid-range and premium electric fireplaces — including most current Touchstone, R.W.Flame, and PuraFlame models — include a synthetic crackling sound effect generated by a small internal speaker and timed to the flame animation, specifically to make the unit feel closer to a real wood fire. Per Touchstone’s own product documentation, the sound effect on its Sideline and Onyx series runs independently of the heating element and can be muted from the remote without affecting the flame or heat. If the crackling started right when you first set up the unit, or only happens while the flame is on, check the remote or app for a speaker/sound toggle before assuming anything is wrong.
2. Check whether it’s thermal expansion ticking
If the sound effect is already off, or the unit doesn’t have one, the next most likely cause is thermal expansion in the metal heating element and housing. As the 1500W element heats up, the surrounding metal expands slightly; as it cools, it contracts back — and that movement produces a light tick or crackle, most noticeable in the first few minutes after you turn the heat on or off. This is the same mechanism behind a car engine or an oven ticking as it cools, and manufacturer support documentation for both Dimplex and Duraflame units lists it as an expected, non-fault noise. A useful diagnostic: if the noise only happens with the heat on and never in flame-only mode, thermal expansion — not the sound effect — is almost certainly the cause.
3. Rule out a loose panel or vibrating part
Fan-driven units move a meaningful volume of air, and that airflow can rattle a loose screw, a slightly warped trim panel, or a decorative log/ember piece that isn’t seated flush. This tends to sound more like a rattle or buzz than a true crackle, and it usually gets louder at higher fan speeds. Unplug the unit and gently check that visible screws and trim panels are snug, and that any loose decorative media (crystals, glass, or log sets) is settled in its tray rather than resting against the housing.
4. Check the flame-effect motor
The shimmer and movement in an LED or mirror-flame display is produced by a small motor spinning a reflective element or rotating gears. Dust or debris caught in that mechanism can produce an intermittent clicking or grinding sound that’s easy to mistake for a crackle at low volume. Our maintenance guide covers the vent and interior cleaning schedule that prevents this; if the noise is a genuine grind rather than a soft tick and doesn’t improve after cleaning, the motor itself may be wearing out.
When the noise means something else
| Sound | When it happens | Likely cause | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Realistic crackle/pop | Flame on, sound setting enabled | Built-in speaker effect | Normal — mute if unwanted |
| Light tick/crackle | First few minutes of heat-up or cooldown | Thermal expansion | Normal — no action needed |
| Rattle or buzz | Higher fan speeds | Loose panel or media | Unplug, check screws/trim |
| Intermittent click/grind | Flame animation running | Debris in flame motor | Clean vents; monitor |
| Sharp electrical buzz or snap | Any time | Possible wiring fault | Unplug, contact manufacturer |
| Popping + burning smell | Any time | Possible internal fault | Unplug immediately |
A burning smell, a sharp electrical buzz, or a grinding noise that worsens over repeated use are the signals that separate a real problem from ordinary operating sound. If you hit any of those, unplug the unit and contact the manufacturer, especially while it’s still under warranty — that’s not a DIY fix like the checks above.
If you’re shopping for a quieter replacement
If the sound turns out to be a worn flame motor on an aging unit, replacement is often simpler than sourcing parts for a model that’s out of warranty.
Touchstone Sideline Elite
- Crackling sound effect runs off a separate speaker with a dedicated mute control, so you choose whether it's on.
- Frameless glass front recesses into a 2x6 wall cavity or hangs surface-mounted.
- Independent flame and heat controls, so ambiance mode never has to run the heater.
If you’d rather have a replacement in hand this weekend than wait on freight from a specialty retailer, a free 30-day Amazon Prime trial gets most electric fireplaces delivered in two days.
The bottom line
A crackling electric fireplace is doing what it’s designed to do in the vast majority of cases — either playing a sound effect on purpose, or ticking from ordinary thermal expansion as the element heats and cools. Neither needs a fix. Save the troubleshooting for a sharp electrical buzz, a burning smell, or a grinding flame motor, which are the actual warning signs. For general upkeep that prevents debris-related noise, see our maintenance guide, and if heat itself is the issue rather than sound, our electric fireplace not heating guide covers that separately.