12 reasons why your AC won’t switch on

Have you ever been in a situation where your AC refuses to switch on, leaving you in the stifling heat? Let’s also admit how annoying and discomforting it is to try your hardest only to see your AC responding to nothing. 

But before panicking, let’s shed some light the possible reasons. From simple glitches to complex issues, explore the troubleshooting journey to kick-start your air conditioner once again.

12 reasons your air conditioner won't switch on

Find out the reasons and ways to troubleshoot if your AC is not turning on. 

1. Tripped circuit breaker  

2. Disconnected condenser unit  

3. Clogged air filters  

4. Uncleaned condenser  

5. Clogged drain pan  

6. Faulty power cord  

7. Wrong AC size  

8. Refrigerant leak  

9. Faulty AC unit capacitor  

10. Frozen evaporator coil  

11. Faulty AC motor  

12. Thermostat issue  

Reason 1: Tripped circuit breaker

First things first. Check whether the circuit breaker has tripped. It’s one of the most common precautions that your appliance takes when there’s a voltage fluctuation. Check your fuse box and turn the breaker off yourself.

Reason 2: Disconnected condenser unit

One of the causes of your AC not turning on could be a disconnected condenser or outdoor unit if you have a split AC. The outdoor AC disconnect switch is placed inside your home. You will find a shut-off box where there’s a pull-out head to flip. If the pull-out head has been flipped upside down, the appliance will go powerless. Flip it to the previous position and try turning on the air conditioner again.

Reason 3: Clogged air filters

If you can’t recall the last time you cleaned the air filters, then this might be one reason your air conditioner refuses to turn on. The airflow gets blocked at times when you use a dirty filter, which further prevents the central unit from turning on. You can clean the filter by yourself with soap, water and a brush. Or, if you are checking this for your parents, don’t worry. Call for a trained professional by choosing ZipCare Maintain plan for your AC by Croma and get your AC cleaning chores sorted. 

Reason 4: Unclean condenser

Since your AC condenser unit is exposed to dirt and debris all the time, it can build up over time and act as an insulator. Overheating can cause hindrance to the main power unit by tripping off the power breaker.

ALSO READ: Inverter AC or 5-star AC: What is better?

You need to call a trained professional during such circumstances because it escalates beyond normal condenser cleaning. This is because any improper DIY cleaning may harm the condition of the condenser coil fins, which might worsen the situation. 

Reason 5: Clogged drain pan

The excess moisture that is soaked from the room gets collected in a drain pan underneath the indoor unit evaporator. This water ultimately flows into the condensate drain line located outside. The float switch of the air conditioner triggers when the primary and the secondary drain pan are either saturated or clogged—such a situation of clogging or overflowing switches off the AC automatically.

Reason 6: Faulty power cord

Examine the power cord to see if it’s working. If it shows signs of damage, then the power cord could be one of the reasons why your AC is not turning on. Check whether it’s working for other appliances, and if it’s, then change the power cord unit.

Reason 7: Wrong AC unit

Did you consider your room size while buying the air conditioner? If you have skipped, it can have a major influence on your appliance. If you have chosen a higher wattage of AC for a relatively smaller room or vice-versa, the quick on-off will increase the chances of wear and tear. If you need clarification on the choice you made, you can refer to an air conditioner size guide. 

Reason 8: Refrigerant leak

If your air conditioner is leaking, it might be the reason why it refuses to turn on. Refrigerant leak is a common phenomenon due to daily wear and tear. Unfortunately, you can’t do much to fix it unless you call a professional to repair or replace the hose and refill the refrigerant.

Reason 9: Faulty AC unit capacitor

The AC capacitor is sensitive to heat and may wear down due to high temperatures, power fluctuations or overexposure to the sun. Replacing an AC unit capacitor by yourself involves the risk of electric shocks. Hence, it’s recommended that a trained technician be called to get the unit repaired.

Reason 10: Frozen evaporator coil

When the air filter is dirty or hasn’t been replaced in a while, it forms ice in the evaporator coils, pipes, or even outside the unit. A dirty air filter forces the central airflow to work twice as hard, which leads to the formation of a chilled air reservoir inside, forming ice. To fix this, you need to either replace the AC filters or clean them if they are still in working condition.

ALSO READ: An in-depth guide to the parts of a window and a split AC

Reason 11: Faulty AC motor

Could you hear your AC vibrating or humming the last time it was working? If so, then a faulty AC motor could cause your AC not to turn on. If the compressor motor has loosened or damaged, it may hinder the air conditioner from turning on. In both cases, you need to call a technician to get the motor replaced.

Reason 12: Thermostat issue

The thermostat is an electronic device that’s attached to the AC to set your room temperature. If the thermostat is not illuminated after turning on the AC, there might be a possibility of dirt and debris out there, or the thermostat has been damaged. In either case, cracking the thermostat by yourself is not recommended since it needs the best kind of tools to unbox it, which only professionals are likely to have.

If you want professional assistance with any of these above ways, you can refer to ZipCare by Croma. These professionals are highly trained and will troubleshoot your AC like a breeze.