{"id":4617,"date":"2024-07-01T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-01T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.a1mechanical.com\/blog\/?p=4617"},"modified":"2026-03-18T00:50:27","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T04:50:27","slug":"ac-not-working-try-this-troubleshooting-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.a1mechanical.com\/blog\/air-conditioning\/ac-not-working-try-this-troubleshooting-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"AC Not Working? Try This Troubleshooting Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.a1mechanical.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/A1AC-Not-Working-Try-This-Troubleshooting-Checklist.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.a1mechanical.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/A1AC-Not-Working-Try-This-Troubleshooting-Checklist-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"AC maintenance team walking in a parking lot beside branded service vans and work trucks.\" class=\"wp-image-4618\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.a1mechanical.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/A1AC-Not-Working-Try-This-Troubleshooting-Checklist-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.a1mechanical.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/A1AC-Not-Working-Try-This-Troubleshooting-Checklist-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.a1mechanical.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/A1AC-Not-Working-Try-This-Troubleshooting-Checklist.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>When your air conditioner is just plain not working, it seems obvious that repairs are necessary. Or who knows, maybe you need a whole new air conditioner! Here\u2019s the thing, though: sometimes the problem isn\u2019t as bad as it seems, especially if you live in an older house where exploring <a href=\"https:\/\/www.a1mechanical.com\/blog\/air-conditioning-service\/hvac-options-for-older-homes-in-michigan\/\">HVAC options for older homes<\/a> can provide solutions beyond simple repairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>What to Check Before Calling HVAC Repair for a Broken AC<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Check the circuit breaker<\/strong>: Make sure the AC\u2019s breaker hasn\u2019t tripped. Reset it if needed.<\/li><li><strong>Inspect thermostat settings<\/strong>: Ensure it\u2019s set to \u201cCool\u201d and the temperature is lower than the room\u2019s current temperature.<\/li><li><strong>Replace dirty air filters<\/strong>: A clogged filter can block airflow and cause the system to shut down.<\/li><li><strong>Look for ice buildup<\/strong>: Ice on the indoor or outdoor unit can signal restricted airflow or refrigerant issues.<\/li><li><strong>Test the batteries in the thermostat<\/strong>: Weak or dead batteries can cause communication failure.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Examine the outdoor unit<\/strong>: Remove any debris like leaves or grass that could block airflow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While we would never encourage anyone to DIY an <a href=\"\/air-conditioning\/ac-repair\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AC repair<\/a>\u2014you could injure yourself, damage the system, and void your warranty\u2014there are times when repairs are not actually necessary. Before you decide it\u2019s time to call in the experts for an air conditioner that\u2019s not working, go through this simple troubleshooting checklist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2>Check the Electrical Panel for Tripped AC Breakers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The electrical panel, which is also sometimes called the circuit breaker box, is like a traffic conductor for the electrical needs and flow in your home. To prevent massive problems such as electrical fires, the panel will shut down a circuit if too much electricity is called for in that one place all at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take a look at that panel, which will have switches all lined up. If one is flipped to the wrong side, it\u2019s because it was tripped. Your air conditioner\u2019s not broken, it\u2019s just not getting any power. Now, if it keeps tripping the circuit breaker, that could indicate an electrical problem with the AC unit. But it might just be that too many things were plugged into the circuit at once, and there\u2019s no problem at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Make Sure the Thermostat Is Set to Cool and the Correct Temperature<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Homeowners are often terribly embarrassed when they\u2019ve called for repairs only to find that they simply changed their thermostat settings by accident. Save yourself from this fate by checking your thermostat before deciding repairs are necessary. It could be that a switch was bumped, and instead of being set to cool, it\u2019s now set to heat or off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other thermostat possibilities include energy-saving, away-from-home programming being unintentionally activated, or even batteries at the end of their life sending inconsistent signals. Check thoroughly, and try new batteries, before you determine that you need help from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.a1mechanical.com\/blog\/air-conditioning-service\/why-nate-and-epa-certifications-matter-for-hvac-contractors\/\">certified HVAC contractors<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Replace or Clean a Dirty Air Filter to Restore Proper Airflow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If the air conditioner isn\u2019t entirely failing to start but is instead shutting down almost immediately every time it does start, you have a different problem. This is called short cycling and can be caused by a lot of different things such as an overheating blower fan motor or a leak in your refrigerant coils. These things need professional attention. But wait! It could be something simpler, like issues related to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.a1mechanical.com\/blog\/air-conditioning-service\/is-your-air-conditioners-fan-broken\/\">a broken air conditioner fan<\/a>, which can disrupt airflow and mimic bigger system failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your air conditioner\u2019s air filter should be changed at least every single month during the hottest stretch of the summer. If there\u2019s extra dust around your house, perhaps due to nearby construction or shedding pets, it might need to be changed even more frequently. A clogged filter can cause the system to overheat and shut down, cool off and start up, and overheat again immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019ve been concerned about your <a href=\"\/service-areas\/okemos-mi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">air conditioner not working in Okemos, MI<\/a>, perhaps we\u2019ve helped you to solve your problem already. If not, reach out and get the help you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Question: What should I check first if my air conditioner isn\u2019t turning on at all?<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><strong>Answer:<\/strong> Start with the electrical panel \u2014 look for tripped breakers or blown fuses. Then check your thermostat settings to confirm it\u2019s set to \u201ccool\u201d and the temperature is lower than the current room temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Question: Could the thermostat be the reason my AC runs but doesn\u2019t cool?<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><strong>Answer:<\/strong> Yes. If the thermostat is set incorrectly (e.g. to \u201cheat\u201d or \u201cfan\u201d instead of \u201ccool\u201d), or if the batteries are dead, the AC may run but not cool. Always verify mode, temperature setting, and the battery status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Question: How often should I change or clean my air filter, and why does it matter?<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><strong>Answer:<\/strong> You should change or clean the air filter at least once a month during hot weather; more often if there\u2019s a lot of dust, pets, or debris. A clogged filter restricts airflow, which can cause short-cycling or force the system to overheat and shut down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Question: What issues around the outdoor unit can cause cooling failure?<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><strong>Answer:<\/strong> Dirt, leaves, or plants around the condenser unit may block airflow. Also, if the condenser coils are dirty, heat dissipation is reduced. Ensuring plenty of clearance and cleaning the outdoor unit helps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Question: When is it time to call a professional instead of trying more troubleshooting?<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><strong>Answer:<\/strong> Call a technician if you see signs of refrigerant leaks (hissing, ice), if breakers keep tripping, motors or capacitors fail, or electrical issues are involved. Also call when the system is frozen or if cleaning or adjustments haven\u2019t fixed the cooling problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What should I check first if my air conditioner isn\u2019t turning on at all?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Start with the electrical panel \u2014 look for tripped breakers or blown fuses. Then check your thermostat settings to confirm it\u2019s set to \u201ccool\u201d and the temperature is lower than the current room temperature.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Could the thermostat be the reason my AC runs but doesn\u2019t cool?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Yes. If the thermostat is set incorrectly (e.g. to \u201cheat\u201d or \u201cfan\u201d instead of \u201ccool\u201d), or if the batteries are dead, the AC may run but not cool. Always verify mode, temperature setting, and the battery status.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"How often should I change or clean my air filter, and why does it matter?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"You should change or clean the air filter at least once a month during hot weather; more often if there\u2019s a lot of dust, pets, or debris. A clogged filter restricts airflow, which can cause short-cycling or force the system to overheat and shut down.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What issues around the outdoor unit can cause cooling failure?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Dirt, leaves, or plants around the condenser unit may block airflow. Also, if the condenser coils are dirty, heat dissipation is reduced. Ensuring plenty of clearance and cleaning the outdoor unit helps.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"When is it time to call a professional instead of trying more troubleshooting?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Call a technician if you see signs of refrigerant leaks (hissing, ice), if breakers keep tripping, motors or capacitors fail, or electrical issues are involved. Also call when the system is frozen or if cleaning or adjustments haven\u2019t fixed the cooling problem.\"\n      }\n    }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"\/contact\/send-a-message\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Contact A-1 Mechanical Heating &amp; Cooling<\/strong><\/a><strong> for AC repair in Lansing, MI. Comfort and Character You Can Depend On.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Before you decide it\u2019s time to call in the experts for an air conditioner that\u2019s not working, go through this simple troubleshooting checklist.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[88],"tags":[140,137],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.a1mechanical.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4617"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.a1mechanical.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.a1mechanical.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.a1mechanical.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.a1mechanical.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4617"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.a1mechanical.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4617\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4949,"href":"https:\/\/www.a1mechanical.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4617\/revisions\/4949"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.a1mechanical.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4617"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.a1mechanical.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4617"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.a1mechanical.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4617"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}