Outside AC Unit Not Turning On

AC Not Turning On? Try These Tips:

If your outside air conditioner doesn't seem to be working properly, there are few things you can try before calling an HVAC technician. Here’s what we recommend:

The majority of AC units out there have a shut-off switch found near the outdoor system. This is typically found in a metal box that's attached to your home. If your air conditioner won't turn on, the unit’s shut-off switch could be in the “off” position. If someone recently serviced your air conditioner, they could have hit this switch on accident. Be sure to check this area to ensure the switch is in the proper position.

Ensure the thermostat is set to COOL

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s surprising how many people make this simple mistake. This problem happens more frequently in homes where the thermostat is constantly adjusted. If you want cool air to come from your air conditioner, make sure it’s set to the “cool” position. To make sure your system is in working order, set it to COOL, then turn the temp down five degrees below the current temperature. If you hear your air conditioner power on, the system is working. If you don’t, you could have another issue on your hands.

Check the power switch on the inside unit

Still dealing with an AC unit not turning on? If so, make sure everything looks correct with your indoor system. First, head over to the power switch near your HVAC system and turn the unit off. This switch is typically found in your attic, closet, or a crawl space close to your system.

While this power switch looks like a light switch, it’s common for homeowners to accidentally flip this switch to the “off” position. When this switch is off, that turns off power to your blower, which can cause the indoor system to freeze. If this happens, your entire unit will power down.

To avoid this problem, find this switch and make sure it’s set to “on.”

Check for a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse

If you ever experience a power surge at your home, this can certainly trip a circuit breaker or blow a fuse, which will power down your air conditioner. To check if you’re having this issue, look in the following two locations:

Main electrical panel

Called a fuse box in older homes, these are called circuit panels in newer homes today. If you do have a fuse box, look to see if you’ve blown a fuse. If you have—that’s an easy fix! Just simply replace the broken fuse. If your home has a circuit breaker, look for any tripped circuits. If you see any, flip the switch to “off,” then back to the “on” position.

Shut-off box near AC unit

AC not turning on could be the result of a blown fuse located at something called a safety shut-off box. This should be found close to your AC unit. Check to see if you have a blown fuse, and be sure to replace it if that’s the case. Even if the fuse doesn't appear to be damaged, go ahead and replace it anyway. If this fixes the issue but the problem returns, call an air conditioning service provider. Rather than spending too much time messing around with your unit, these experts can handle the issue immediately.

Try a System Reset

When there’s an outside AC unit not running but inside is, the issue could be fixed by doing a simple system reset. To try this method, head over to your cooling system and look for a ‘reset’ switch. Many air conditioners have these, but some do not. If you found it, give it a push to see if anything happens. If you don’t have this switch, do a manual restart instead. First, power off your AC unit at the thermostat, wait five minutes, then turn the system back on. Air conditioners can power off for a number of reasons, so doing a reset might be worth it.

Check the condensate drain line

When your AC unit is working properly, it produces condensation. This drains out through a drain line. But when it’s excessively humid outside, this condensate line can clog. If this happens, it can cause the safety switch to trip, which shuts down the cooling system. One way to fix this involves using a dry/wet vacuum to suck up the blockage.

If your air conditioner won’t turn on, it can be pretty frustrating. Try the tips in this blog to restore cooling comfort to your home!