Your Comprehensive AC Troubleshooting Guide

August 07, 2024

Nobody likes to turn on their air conditioner, expecting relief from the sweltering heat, only to be met with nothing. Maybe the air blows out, but it’s not cold. Maybe the system switches on for a minute or two but keeps shutting down. Or maybe nothing happens at all. 

What’s the problem? What do you do next? What causes air conditioner failure? Turn to our AC troubleshooting guide to help you determine what went wrong and the next steps.

How to Know If Your AC Is Broken

This might seem obvious—it’s clear your AC is broken because it’s not working properly, right? But just because you’re not cooling down doesn’t mean your AC is the culprit. There are a few other causes to rule out before concluding your AC is broken.

• Are electrical issues to blame? If your AC unit isn’t getting the power it needs due to worn or damaged wires, it can’t work properly.

• Have the thermostat settings been messed up? It’s so simple to check and make sure someone didn’t accidentally set your thermostat to the wrong settings. Is it even telling your AC to kick on?

• Are your vents closed or blocked? This can happen sometimes when reorganizing different rooms. Blocking or closing a vent makes it impossible for the cold air to move into the room.

• Do you need to clean or replace the air filter? Air filters get dirty over time. If your AC turns on but isn’t working as well as it used to, replacing the filter could be a simple fix.

• Is the emergency power switch turned off? If someone recently performed maintenance or kids were playing near your external unit (which is not a good idea), the emergency switch on or near the unit may be switched off. Turning that back on could solve the issue.

• Has the AC tripped the circuit breaker? It happens. Check the breaker box if nothing happens when the AC should kick on. But if the cooling system keeps tripping the circuit, that does indicate an issue that needs to be checked. 

If none of these situations apply (or if the circuit breaker keeps tripping), it’s fair to say the air conditioner needs to be fixed.

Don’t suffer needlessly. Maryland area residents can schedule AC repair services with Blue Dot online or give us a call at 410-204-2662.

How Do I Diagnose What’s Wrong with My AC?

Start by checking out the potential issues in the previous section. A simple solution is the best possible scenario for air conditioner problems, but it doesn’t always work out that way. 

It’s possible you’ll need to turn to the AC repair pros. Chances are, nothing will get your cooling system back quicker than calling in the experts. But what if you can handle it with a DIY AC repair? We understand that.

Our step-by-step AC troubleshooting guide and checklist below will guide you through your next best bet.

How Do I Troubleshoot an AC Step by Step?

Check these steps as you try to identify the issue with your AC unit.

1. Examine the area for ice. This could be a sign that you need a new air filter, but first, you’ll need to de-ice the area. Turn off the AC right away, thaw the ice, and then check the air filter to see where the unit is getting clogged.

2. Check the condenser coil. Unscrew and remove the cover on your AC and look at the condenser coil. Dirt and debris can clog the coil and prevent the system from working properly.

3. Look for oil leaks or stains near your AC. It probably indicates a faulty compressor.

4. Keep an eye out for refrigerant leaks. How do you know if your AC needs freon? If your system’s blowing warm air, that might be the issue. If you see any signs of leaking, contact the experts since freon contains toxic chemicals.

5. See if the fan is working. Does the unit seem to be getting power and ready to turn on, but the fan won’t start? There could be several reasons the fan doesn’t operate properly. You’ve already checked for ice at this point. Make sure to cut power to the unit before doing more investigating. 

Air Conditioner Troubleshooting Chart

Why is your AC running but not cooling? What if it’s not running at all? Consult our troubleshooting chart for a handy way to diagnose common causes of air conditioner failure.

How Do I Reset My AC System?

Your AC may have a reset button or power switch on or near the external unit. If it does, resetting your system is as easy as pressing or switching that, waiting a minute, and turning it back on.

If there is no switch or button, you’ll have to cut power to your AC at your fuse box to reset it. Flip the circuit for your air conditioning, wait at least 60 seconds, then turn it back on.

Key Takeaways

• If your AC won’t work properly, eliminate simple solutions like checking your vents and thermostat settings.

• You can also do some basic diagnostic work on your own, such as replacing your air filter, clearing debris from the unit, de-icing it if necessary, and checking for leaks.

• If our air conditioner troubleshooting chart doesn’t help, or the problem is not easy to fix, contact us for AC repair service.

Reach Out to Blue Dot for Your AC Repair Needs

If you live in Maryland or the surrounding area, Blue Dot is your top choice for AC repair. Even when you’re not sure what the issue is, call us at 410-204-2662. We’ll get to the bottom of it and restore cool air to your home. You won’t have to suffer with the pros at Blue Dot on the case!

Learn about the different types of air conditioners, and then discover our other services here:

• New AC installation

• HVAC system check

• Heating services

• HVAC installation

• Special offers

• Financing