On a steamy summer day, a malfunctioning air conditioner is the last thing you want. Why is my air conditioner not cooling? There are many potential causes of the AC not cooling down issue, some of which are technical and some of which are not.

Generally, there are 12 common reasons for air conditioners not working. They are clogged air filter, insufficient coolant, defective parts, faulty compressor, high atmospheric temperature, the thermostat is set incorrectly, dirty air filter, the condenser unit is blocked, damaged heat pump…

But, what can you do about the problems? How to fix air conditioners? Please read on for more detailed information.

Why is the Ac Not Blowing Cold Air

from very basic problems like a dirty filter or a thermostat that is not set properly…to a more complex situation that requires replacing components…there are a wide variety of reasons why you may find your air conditioner running, but not lowering the temperature in the house. Here, we’ll go over a few things you ought to look at before calling a pro. Visit our troubleshoot an air conditioner page for a bit more information.

Clogged Air Filter

The air filter may be clogged if the air conditioner isn’t cooling. Because of this, the air conditioner’s ability to cool down is significantly reduced. If necessary, replace or clean the air filter.

Insufficient Coolant

Cool air is eventually sent into the room after the coolant circulates through the evaporator coils, cools the air passing over it, and does so. As a result, the AC stops cooling when the coolant level drops too low. Call a PRO for a top-up and refill of the coolant at this point.

Defective Parts

The compressor’s run capacitor, the control board, a bad thermistor, a choked capillary, a defective motor, etc. are some additional technical causes for AC not cooling.

Faulty Compressor

The air conditioner’s compressor, which is at its core and is what cools your room, is what makes it work. The compressor could be broken if the air conditioner won’t cool. The refrigerant or coolant is compressed and circulated through the evaporator and condenser coils by the compressor, which is a motor. If the compressor malfunctions, the cooling cycle does not begin, and the air conditioner is unable to cool.

High Atmospheric Temperature

An AC has an optimum operating temperature (surrounding temperature) at which it can work most effectively. The efficiency of the air conditioner decreases if the temperature rises above the optimal temperature limit. When the temperature outside reaches a certain point, the compressor eventually stops functioning altogether.

Thermostat is Set Incorrectly

Check the thermostat settings when you notice your house getting a little hotter than usual. Make sure the temperature is set to cool. Check the thermostat’s temperature setting if it is set to cool to make sure it hasn’t been altered. If it is off, set to heat, or set for constant fan (sometimes simply labeled “on”), switch it back to cooling operation. Wait a few minutes after the system turns on before checking to see if cold air is blowing from the registers. Cold solves the issue, obviously! If not, proceed to the next troubleshooting step, which is checking the air filter.

Dirty Air Filter

The indoor air handler unit of your air conditioning system may have an air filter. As airborne contaminants enter the air handler unit, the filter traps them. It helps keep the air in your home cleaner and makes the system’s internal parts run more effectively. Your home’s cooling may suffer from a clogged air filter that restricts airflow. In more severe circumstances, it may result in a complete system shutdown.

Locate the air filter for your system, shut off the system, remove the filter, and check if you still don’t have cool air after the thermostat is checked. You will need to look a little further to identify the issue if, after you are confident that your air filter is clean, your central air conditioner still fails to cool your home.

Condenser Unit is Blocked

Your central air conditioning system most likely has an outdoor condenser unit, as was previously mentioned. There is a sizable outdoor coil on the condenser unit’s exterior that encircles it almost entirely. The coil includes a series of thin metal “fins” which are spaced very tightly together. A blocked or clogged condenser coil may be the cause of your air conditioner running but failing to lower the temperature inside. When the condenser fan is working properly, air is drawn into the outdoor unit through the condenser coil to remove heat from your house. Between the fins, dust, grass, and other airborne debris can assemble and clog the coil. Reduced energy efficiency, a lack of cool air from the registers, complete system shutdown, or overuse harm to the compressor are all consequences of a dirty coil. You can try to clean the coil by removing any debris, carefully vacuuming the coil with a brush attachment, or gently rinsing with a hose. It’s probably time to call an expert if your system still isn’t cooling.

Damaged Heat Pump

Your outdoor unit might occasionally be a heat pump. While a heat pump looks exactly like an air conditioner, it has some internal differences that enable it to both cool and heat your house. It functions exactly like the condenser unit of an air conditioner system when it comes to cooling and is susceptible to the same problems, such as dirty, clogged coils, frozen coils, refrigerant leaks, compressor problems, etc. Check the thermostat settings, the air filter, and the condenser unit for the previously mentioned issues if your heat pump system isn’t cooling. Call your neighborhood HVAC dealer if all the necessary checks out but you’re still sweating inside.

Evaporator Coil is Frozen

An evaporator coil will be a part of your central air conditioning system’s indoor unit. The evaporator coil is located outside the furnace if your indoor unit is a furnace. The evaporator coil is located inside the fan coil cabinet if the indoor unit is a fan coil, which it usually is when a heat pump system is involved. The evaporator coil is where heat energy and humidity are removed from warm indoor air. The air is then returned to your home in a cooler, more comfortable state. Signs of a frozen evaporator coil include:

• Frost forming on the copper refrigerant tubing coming from the coil cabinet
• Inadequate cooling
• Higher utility bills
• Excessive condensate drainage near your indoor unit
• In extreme cases, frost forming on exterior refrigerant tubing or the outdoor unit

Problems with a frozen evaporator coil are best handled by an HVAC expert due to the difficulty of accessing the evaporator coil.

Refrigerant Leak

The chemical refrigerant is essential to the cooling process. When it passes through the indoor and outdoor coils of the system, it transforms from liquid to gaseous state, absorbing heat and humidity from indoor air and releasing it outdoors. Depending on how serious it is, a refrigerant leak can make your air conditioner less effective at cooling your home, cause it to run longer than necessary, damage or fail the compressor, or even cause the entire system to shut down.

Your neighborhood Carrier dealer can also check the refrigerant levels in your system and address any problems.

Undersized Air Conditioner

Air conditioners are “sized” according to the amount of cooling they can provide as measured in British Thermal Units per hour, or BTUh. You might not experience any problems with a small air conditioner in moderate weather. However, as the temperature outside rises, your air conditioner may run continuously and struggle to keep you cool.

You might be able to determine the size of your AC unit from the rating info on the cabinet panel, but it will be difficult to determine whether it is the “right size” for your home. Sizing a system for your home depends on a number of variables, such as square footage, the quality of the construction and insulation, the local climate, and others.

Faulty AC Remote

It is also possible for the remote to stop communicating with the AC unit when changing the temperature. It only takes switching out the remote to fix the problem.

What to Do If You Have An AC Not Cooling

Check Your Thermostat

If your air conditioner isn’t cooling, you can try a few different things. First, make sure the thermostat setting is on “cool” and that the desired temperature is lower than what is currently present in this room. If that doesn’t work, especially if the thermostat screen is broken, try replacing the batteries next.

Assess the Circuit Breaker

Check that the circuit breaker is set correctly next. For the indoor and outdoor units, many circuit breakers have separate breakers. Verify that all switch settings are accurate.

Clear Any Obstructions to Airflow

Devastating effects result from poor air flow. The transfer of heat from your home is halted by a clogged air filter because it restricts airflow. Furthermore, clogged air filters significantly reduce the quality of the air inside a building. So, if your air conditioner isn’t cooling, try switching the filter.

Additionally, make sure all vents are open and that nothing is blocking any of them. Poor airflow is a result of closed or blocked vents, particularly when an air filter is dirty.

Check Your Disconnect

Look at that box that is fixed close to the outdoor air conditioning unit. The disconnect box is what’s known as that. A safety feature called an A/C disconnect has the power to cut the electrical circuit. When performing an AC repair or service, an HVAC technician will also use the disconnect to turn off the power.

Verify that the power to the disconnect has been turned off. Re-turn it on if necessary. Watch to see if the disconnect box’s connections come loose or burn up as well.

How Air Conditioner Works

A device called an air conditioner helps you stay cool during hot weather by removing heat from inside your house and transferring it to the outside. Refrigeration is the first step in this procedure. A chemical known as a refrigerant transforms from a liquid to a vapor as it absorbs and releases heat energy. The heat from inside your home is removed by your air conditioning system and released outside using refrigerant. Your home is now filled with chilly air.

How does this happen?

Warm interior air is drawn into the return vent, put through a filter, and then blown over the evaporator coil. As the refrigerant passes through the evaporator coil and absorbs heat from the air, it changes from a liquid to a gas. It is blown back into the house once the air has cooled.

The refrigerant then travels to the compressor located inside the outside unit, raising its temperature there. The refrigerant passes through the condenser coil and releases the heat outside when it reaches the condenser, which is the final step. The refrigerant transforms back into a liquid as it cools from a gas. Currently, it is prepared to repeat the cycle.

FAQs

After following the above troubleshooting steps, you may still be wondering, “Why won’t my AC turn on?” or “Why isn’t my air conditioner cooling?” We have provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about an AC not working below because an unreliable air conditioner is frustrating.

Conclusion

There are numerous potential reasons why an AC unit may not be blowing cold air, many of which can be quickly fixed without a professional’s assistance. To quickly get your air conditioner working again and keep your home cool, try changing the filter, checking the settings, or cleaning the coils. However, if you’ve tried all of the air conditioner troubleshooting techniques and do-it-yourself fixes and it’s still not working, it’s time to call an HVAC expert for an assessment.

Thank you for reading.