Why is my AC Unit Not Turning On?

Hello there, I can understand the problem you would be facing if your AC unit not turning on. I went through the same during the peak summer season in May last year. I tried to find out the reason why this happened through the help of our electrician, who gave me multiple reasons for the occurrence. These include the tripping of your circuit breaker, clogging of the air filters, dirty condenser and more. 

Why is your Air Conditioner Not Turning On?

• Dirty Condenser:

  An AC condenser is something that regularly faces exposure to dirt and dust. With time, the dirt increases, which makes the condenser behave like an insulator. With the increase in heat, the power breaker gets tripped, which leads to the functioning of the main power unit of the AC.

• Blocked Air Filters:

  Another reason for the malfunctioning of your AC could be the clogging of the air filters. If your air filter is dirty, the airflow will get blocked and will lead to the central unit not starting. 

• Tripping of the Circuit Breaker:

  This should ideally be the first thing you check when your AC is not working. The tripping of the circuit breaker takes place when there’s a voltage fluctuation. So, check the fuse box and switch off the breaker if you see this problem. 

• Defective Power Cord:

  Check the power cord and examine its working. A damaged power cord can be one of the reasons that your AC is not turning on. Verify the power cord by checking it with your other electrical equipment. 

So, these are the reasons for the AC not turning on in house. I hope this helps.

Hey Radha. I can tell you the reasons behind the air conditioner not kicking on. Recently, I faced similar issues and hired an AC Technician to fix it. He told me that a tripped circuit breaker is the reason my air conditioning unit isn't working. 

Additionally, he informed me of several typical reasons why your air conditioner might not turn on. I have listed every reason along with a solution below for your reference.

10 Reasons Behind Air Conditioner Not Switching On

• Look at Your Switch

Even though it is the most obvious reason, people frequently ignore it. Make sure you have switched it on by checking the switch before proceeding.

• Faulty Thermostat

If the thermostat of your AC is not working, then your air conditioner will not turn on. 

It is possible that a malfunctioning thermostat isn't sending the switch on signal to your air conditioner. In this situation, it could be essential to replace or troubleshoot the thermostat. However, if the batteries are functioning properly, then verify that it is set to the "Cool" setting.

• Tripped Circuit Breaker

A tripped circuit breaker, which can disrupt the AC unit's power supply, is another potential cause. It occurs due to a high-voltage appliance or when an electrical surge occurs. This problem can be fixed by inspecting the circuit breaker and turning it off entirely for a few minutes. 

• Refrigerant Leak

Your AC unit won't be able to turn on if there is a refrigerant leak or low refrigerant levels. To resolve this problem, you must hire an AC specialist.

• Clogged Air Filter

As Jessica Noel pointed out, this may restrict ventilation and lead to an overheated machine. This problem can be avoided and the proper operation of the air conditioner can be guaranteed by routinely changing the air filter. 

• Capacitor Issues

An electrical component that is necessary for the unit’s startup and operation is the capacitor. Usually, the capacitor needs to be changed when it fails.

• Clogged Drain Pan

Your air conditioner may stop working due to a moisture blockage in the drain line caused by improper maintenance.

• Dirty Condenser Coils

An unclean condenser coil may also stop the AC unit from operating. This issue can be fixed by clearing any dirt from the condenser coil and cleaning it regularly.

• Dormancy Issues

If you cannot figure out why your AC is not working, check the fan. A possible cause of the AC fan not operating is a dormant problem. To fix it, you must contact an AC specialist.

• Damaged Motor

When you turn on the air conditioner, if you hear a grinding sound, it could be a sign of broken motor blades. To fix this problem, you need to replace the motor.

If you are still thinking about why my air conditioner is not turning on, then hire a professional HVAC technician from the link below to inspect and fix it.

I hope you get an idea of the reasons behind the air conditioner not kicking on and how to fix it.