My Air Compressor Won't Start - Clicking Noise and No Pressure

Hey everyone, I've got a 6 gallon pancake compressor that's been working fine for a year. Yesterday it ran for a few minutes, then stopped and now it just clicks when I flip the switch. No motor hum, no pressure building. Any ideas? I'm not super handy, so any help is appreciated.

Clicking but no hum usually means the motor isn't getting power, or the capacitor is shot. Check the power cord and outlet first. If that's fine, it could be the pressure switch or a burnt start capacitor. You can test the capacitor with a multimeter if you have one. Also, make sure the tank pressure is fully drained - sometimes the check valve sticks and keeps the motor from starting.

Sarah's on the right track. I've seen a lot of those little pancake compressors, and the start capacitor is a common failure. But before you go buying parts, unplug it and take a look at the pressure switch - the little plastic nub that kicks in when pressure drops. If it's dirty or stuck, it might not close the circuit. Also, give the tank a good drain and see if any water came out - moisture can cause corrosion in the switch.

I'd also check the thermal overload. If the motor got too hot, it might have tripped and needs to cool down. But if it's been a day, that's not it. One thing nobody mentioned: the check valve at the tank inlet. If it's leaking, the compressor will try to start against pressure and that causes a click. To test, pull the ring on the safety valve (with the tank empty) and see if air escapes. If it does, the check valve is leaking.

Good advice from everyone. I've had this exact issue on my older compressor. It was the capacitor - you could see a small bubble on it. Easy swap, about $10. But if you're not comfortable, just take it to a small engine shop. Also, if you do get it running, consider adding a magnetic starter switch if you don't have one - it protects the motor and is cheap insurance.