Why Won’t My Ac Turn On

Share This Post

Faulty Power Cord Or Outlet

AC WON’T TURN ON FIX

Sometimes the issue is not severe its just that you are anticipating the worst. So, examine simple things that are right in front of you check the power cord, for instance.

The power cord can become frayed and wear down if your unit was stored for a season. Power outages can also damage the cord.

Unplug the cord for proper examination. If it shows signs of damage, you would have to replace it.

Or maybe it is not the cord, but the outlet was plugged in. You can check if the outlet is working fine by plugging in other appliances. If none of them work, you know whats causing the issue.

Safety tip: You should never attempt to repair the cord or power outlet yourself. There is a risk of getting an electric shock if you dont turn off the power supply. Just turning the switch off wont do you have to turn the power off from the main power box.

Ac Fan Won’t Turn Off

If your AC unit fan won’t turn off or is stuck while running, that’s a different problem most often caused by a stuck relay that is keeping the circuit closed. To troubleshoot this issue, Reddi Heating & Cooling recommends checking the thermostat settings. Set your desired temperature above the current one and wait for the unit to shut off. If the fan is still blowing, make sure that the fan isn’t set to “on” and that it is still running once you change it to “auto” or “off.”

If the fan still doesn’t turn off, the relays inside the unit that help to close and open its electrical circuits could have failed or become stuck together. The thermostat might also be broken and may need replacement. Otherwise, the filters could be clogged, the condensers might be dirty or the evaporator coils could be frozen. Sometimes, these are maintenance issues, so getting an AC unit tuneup could solve the problem.

Problem #: Malfunctioning Thermostat

Your thermostat is the brains of your AC operation. If your thermostat is malfunctioning or on the wrong settings, your AC wont work properly.

To make sure your thermostat is not the issue, start by:

  • Checking to see if your thermostats screen is dead. If so, you might need to replace the batteries in your thermostat.
  • Making sure that your thermostat is set to COOL and not HEAT.
  • COOL and HEAT settings

    If your thermostats screen is alive and set to COOL, you may have a wiring issue. Youll need to reach out to a professional for help.

    Recommended Reading: Lowes Water Heater 50 Gallon

    Look For A Blown Fuse Or Tripped Circuit Breaker

    If there was a power surge, your air conditioner might have blown a fuse or tripped a circuit breaker. You can look for this problem in two places:

  • Your main electrical panel On old homes, this is a fuse box, while newer homes have a circuit panel. If its a fuse box, look for a blown fuse . On a circuit breaker, look for a tripped circuit and flip it to off and then back to on.

  • At the shutoff box near the AC Some models of air conditioners have a fuse at the previously mentioned safety shutoff box. Try replacing this fuse, even if the fuse does not appear to have blown.

  • IMPORTANT NOTE: If one of these methods fixes the problem, but the issue returnscall an AC repair company. Your air conditioner may be pulling too much electricity, short circuiting, or overheating .

    Air Conditioner Wont Turn On Call Blairs Ac For Repair

    Why Won

    No one should be left to suffer without AC. Especially in the dead heat of a Tampa Bay summer! Thats why Blairs Air is there when you need us. If youre having problems with your air conditioner, give us a call. We offer 24/7 emergency repairs, so it doesnt matter when your AC goes out. Well be there for you!

    Call to schedule your appointment.

    Find out what qualities to look for in the best HVAC system for your home – and which units are the best on the market – in our free downloadable eBook!

    You May Like: How Much To Replace Furnace And Ac

    Thermostat Problems Explain Why Ac Is Not Turning On

    Several thermostat issues can cause your air conditioner not to turn on. One of the most common problems is disconnected or lose wires. If the wires are frayed, not connected, or dirty, your air conditioner will not be able to turn on.

    Dirty thermostat wiring

    Another common problem is a faulty thermostat. If the thermostat malfunctions, it will not send the signal to the air conditioner to turn on.If you are experiencing AC problems with your thermostat, it’s essential to replace it as soon as possible.

    Adjust Thermostat Temperature Settings

    Check the set temperatures on your thermostat if the set temperature is lower than the current room temperature, the air conditioner cycle will not stop. Adjust the temperature up a few degrees higher than the current room temperature, which should trigger the thermostat to shut down the air conditioner.

    Recommended Reading: Ac Recharge Cost For Car

    Your Ac Is Not The Right Size

    Did you take into account the size of an air conditioner when buying it? Well, it is a mistake that is continuously overlooked but can have a great impact on the performance of the HVAC system.

    The air conditioner that is not the right size will have to work harder and, at one point, will break down completely.

    When your AC is larger than required, it will keep turning on and off quickly, increasing wear and tear. Further, it wont remove the excess humidity as it does not stay on for a sufficient time.

    On the other hand, a small unit will have to run for a long time to cool/warm the house, which may cause overheating of the capacitor.

    An HVAC system that is not the right size can also wreak havoc on your bills.

    Unfortunately, the only solution is to replace the unit.

    Some parameters determine what size you require, such as the area of your house, climate, number of windows, and insulation level. You will have to go for a professional evaluation to find out the perfect size of air conditioner for your home.

    There is also an equation that roughly estimates the right size of AC.

    0.5 = Required AC size

    Lets say your area is 1000 square feet.

    0.5= 1.5

    You require a 1.5-ton AC.

    If you figured out why your AC was not turning on and managed to find the solution on your own, congratulations! But even then, we recommend that you contact a professional for a complete inspection to avoid similar problems in the future.

    Potential Cause : Clogged Drain Line

    AC Not Turning On? Try These Troubleshooting Tips!

    The condensate drain line could be clogged causing the issue. In order to operate, air conditioning units create condensation, which in turn goes through a drain line. Naturally, if this line is clogged, your air conditioner wont turn on as a safety switch will trip to avoid serious damager or danger.

    You May Like: Cost Of Installing Tankless Water Heater

    Trouble Adjusting The Thermostat

    Speaking of the thermostat, glitches within the control center of your air conditioner could also pose a problem. Failure to turn on an AC unit thats blowing warm air are both signs of a thermostat issue.

    First, make sure your thermostat is calibrated correctly. Some people think that new, high-tech thermostats and SMART technology have replaced the need for calibration, but this simply isnt true.

    Even digital thermostats need to be properly calibrated to work efficiently. Calibration is what tells your homes AC unit to turn on when the house hits a certain temperature.

    If your thermostat is calibrated correctly but the AC still isnt working, check that its set to the lowest possible temperature. This should kick start the unit. If not, it may be time to call in the experts.

    HVAC repair technicians know how to recalibrate both older and newer thermostats. The digital varieties are sometimes more confusing than the older models. Have your owners manual handy to help the technician troubleshoot the problem.

    Wait And Turn The Circuit Breaker On

    Next, turn off the circuit, wait for 20-30 minutes, and set to cool. At this point, it should start to cool your home back like it used to. After waiting and cooling down your air conditioner, turn it back again. It should now start working properly, but if for some reason, it is not running, get an HVAC expert who will check it make sure it is working properly. You should also call them for AC service if your unit shut down repeatedly.

    As soon as you notice that your air conditioner isnt turning on or the power button is not working, you should call a heating and cooling professional. A little delay in air conditioner repair can cost you big bucks. Besides, delay in AC servicing can lead to system shutdown.

    Again, if you need to reset your air conditioner, you can follow the tips and steps I described above. However, if you need to reset your AC and but youre comfortable in handling an AC, you should call a nearby professional for AC service. Always remember, safety is above all, and try to take help when its needed. So, for your HVAC Duct Cleaning, air conditioning repair and compressor repair needs, .

    Don’t Miss: Coleman Mach Ac Reset Button

    A/c Wont Maintain The Set Temperature

    If your air conditioner doesnt cool evenly throughout the day, or if you notice that rooms near the thermostat dont get as cool as the thermostat setting, you may need to evaluate the placement of the thermostat and consider moving it to a better location.

    The thermostat should never be mounted on the inside of an exterior wall, since the temperature along the inside of the wall will be influenced by outdoor conditions such as bright sunlight that might keep it from reading the actual temperature inside the room accurately.

    Thermostats should be placed in the middle of interior walls where theyre exposed to air moving inside the rooms theyre in. They should not be placed behind open doors or behind drapes, since the air in those places will tend to be stagnant and not change temperatures quickly as the air conditioner runs.

    Ensure That Ac Is Getting Power

    Why Won

    Whenever an air conditioner doesnt start, check if it has power. The first thing you should do is always check the ACs cord to make sure it is plugged in. If the unit has power but still isnt cooling, there could be one of several issues: the thermostat could be set incorrectly, there may be a problem with the fan, or the compressor may need servicing.

    If your air conditioner suddenly stops working and you dont know what the problem is, there are a few easy checks you can make before calling a professional. First, check that the cord connected to your unit isnt unplugged. If it is, re-plug it and see if this fixes your problem. If not, pull back any nearby furniture or rugs to see if theres a chance the plug got tangled with something while it was plugged in.

    Check the Air Conditioner on/off switch. Flip it to the on position to see if it starts working. If the window unit turns on and begins to run normally, great! If it does not, lets take a look at the cord.

    Recommended Reading: Hot Water Heater Vent Pipe

    Replace The Dual Run Capacitor

    Dual Run Capacitor malfunctions are among the most common AC problems. These capacitors sit inside the AC units access panel split power to supply the fan and compressor at once. When they stop working, then the fan and compressor wont be able to begin the cooling process. Finding, testing, and even replacing the Dual Run Capacitor in your AC unit is easy. Heres how to do it step by step:

    What youll need: a screwdriver or nut driver , pliers, and a duster of some kind.

  • Turn off both the power to your AC unit and your thermostat.
  • If You Know How Try Resetting The Unit

    Your air conditioner might start acting strangely after a power surge trips the circuit breaker. The good news is that sometimes all it needs is a hard reset. Refer to your system’s owner’s manual for specific instructions on how to correctly reset your particular system to avoid inadvertently creating more problems.

    Recommended Reading: How To Unclog Ac Drain

    Reason #: You Have Dirty Air Filters

    If you have dirty air filters the AC system will not turn on. The air filter is responsible for cleaning the air that goes out of the system.

    When you use them for a while the air particles will start to clog in the filter and with time they will accumulate inside and prevent your system from working.

    This is very easy to troubleshoot, just check them if you see dust or a change in color that is the indication of a dirty filter, you can clean them with a dry clean cloth or you can just replace them, it is recommended to replace the air filter every 90 days.

    My Air Conditioner Is Not Turning On

    AC Wont Turn On – The Most Common Fix

    There are number of problems that could contribute to why your air conditioner is not turning on. If you find any of the problems listed below with your central air, contact your local HVAC contractor for additional help.

    With warmer weather quickly approaching, more and more people are starting up their central air systems. Homeowners who opt to skip out on air conditioner maintenance may find that their central air is not what they remembered.

    Don’t Miss: Freon For Home Ac Unit

    What Does An Ac Compressor Do

    A compressor is a vital part of an air conditioning systemthe rest of the system cant function without it! To put it simply, the AC compressor works to move refrigerant through the appliance. As the compressor moves refrigerant, it compresses the cold gas until it becomes hot and pressurized. The heat is then transferred outside, which cools your home in the process.

    Why Your Ac Thermostat Has A Fan Switch

    Think of the fan switch like a whole-house ceiling fan. When you turn it to on, it constantly pulls air through the HVAC return and blows it back out the supply vents. The most common use for this setting is for air filtration. The more you move air across your air filter and/or air purifier, the cleaner your indoor air.

    Read Also: Pvc Pipe For Ac Drain

    Common Causes Of Ac Problems

    Image courtesy of: https://www.reddit.com/r/memes/comments/dd5e51/when_the_air_conditioning_is_broken/

    With age and use, even the best central air system experience changes. There are common air conditioner problems that no central air system can fully escape without the help of an HVAC contractor. These include:

    How Jacobs Can Help

    Why Won

    If you are looking for help troubleshooting your air conditioning system, our consultants at Jacobs Heating & Air Conditioning can examine your system and determine what repairs need to be made. If you need air conditioning maintenance we are ready to help you save money and keep surprise breakdowns away. You can schedule your next tune-up and keep the stress and hassle out of maintaining your system. No matter what you need were always just a phone call away. You are welcome to review our statement on COVID-19 and how were taking precautions to protect you, our team, and our communities.

    Read Also: American Standard Hot Water Heater

    The Condenser Unit Turns On And Off Repeatedly

    The outdoor condenser unit contains safety controls that automatically shut down the system when the pressure drops below a certain level. Once pressure rises again, the system starts up. Pressure can change with general temperature as well as refrigerant levels contained inside the central air.

    If your condenser continues to turn on and off, your AC contractor can assess the safety controls ensure correct performance.

    Another reason your AC system could be repeatedly turning on and off is if its short cycling. It happens when your AC cant reach the temperature on the thermostat or reaches that temperature too soon. The machine will constantly turn on and off while never completing a full cycle.

    What Our Clients Are Saying

    We are very pleased with Iceberg, from sales to installation it was all done in a timely matter and as Promised. Shawn Crawford and Adam Jr came out on Saturday and worked all day, even though they faced a few hurdles, they did what they had to do to get it done. They were very polite.

    Patty Johnson

    Chuck arrived within a day after my call. He was very kind, courteous and professional. He looked at my unit and told me what my options were as far as the unit. I felt very confident that he was telling me the true issues with my unit and what would be in my best interest.

    Chere Mask

    They are fast, reliable, and courteous! They have been out to our house twice to fix the same problem for two different reasons and both times were on time and cared about the well-being of our family. They are also very knowledgeable and also advised us on how to keep our A/C maintained during stor…

    Ryan Davey

    Chuck from iceberg A/C and heating, LLC was AMAZING! I was recommended to this company, and I’m so happy I was. Chuck was timely, efficient, and thorough. He didn’t try and sell me repairs that weren’t needed, found our problem and will get fixed tomorrow! I would 100% recommend them to anyone, espe…

    Sheena Waterfield

    Recommended Reading: When Ac Is Not Cooling

    Related Posts