If you know anything about how air conditioners work, you know that condensation is part of how they usually work. And along with that, there is also a way to deal with that blur.
And if you’re wondering why your window air conditioner isn’t draining water, there may be a very simple reason. Maybe it’s not intended.
Huh?
If your window air conditioner isn’t draining water, it might be because of it Newer models are designed to remove condensation by diffusion in the condenser . However, if you have an older unit with a drain hole or plug, you may have a clog that needs to be dealt with.
Let’s go to every opportunity.
What you will need
- Bottle brush
- Garden hose
- The cloth
- A brush
- A plastic bag
Do This First

As mentioned above, the majority modern window air conditioners do not pour through the hole in the drain pan.
Condensate collects in the drain pan and the slinger ring, located near the rear fan blade, picks up the water and throws it into the condenser coil. The benefits of this are twofold – it removes the condensate pool, and cools the condenser coil. This helps your air conditioner work more efficiently.
You need it to ensure that the make and model of your window air conditioner has this feature. If so, you may not have a drain hole at all. Having said that, there are newer units with this feature – they still have a plug that needs to be removed if you live anywhere with high humidity.
If your air conditioner does not collect condensate to cool the compressor, one of the following may work.
Window AC Not Venting Due To Clogged Drain Hole – Repair
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uP9KdwCjmKY
When first installed, most window air conditioners they need to be done with a slight downward tilt towards the outside. This is done to facilitate the flow of water from the drain pan to the drain.
However, if the hole is closed, the water cannot escape.
Step 1
Before removing the unit from the window, check the bottom and outer sides for the plug. If there is a plug, remove it and let the water drain.
Step 2
If there is no plug or no drainage after unplugging, remove the unit from the window and place it on a solid surface.
Step 3
Remove the front grill, the filter, and then the entire cabinet.
Step 4
Unscrew and remove the drain pan and remove any visible debris from the bottom. Additionally, if you have taken the air conditioner out, use a low pressure hose to blow and drain the pan completely. A bottle brush also helps.
When doing this step, place a plastic bag over the motor and wires first. Note that a bag shouldn’t be needed for an AC in good condition, but if it has a lot of wear and tear, a bag might be a good idea.
Step 5
Reassemble and reinstall your air conditioner, making sure to maintain a slight downward tilt.
Window AC Not Venting Due To Clogged Duct – Repair
If you’ve ever moved into a house or apartment with a window air conditioner installed before, the original owners may have attached a drain hose to it. Or maybe you did!
It is possible that the pipe is blocked or already bent or kinked so that the water can no longer flow freely through it.
Step 1
Find and cut the pipe, then hit it.
Step 2
While the hose is disconnected, it’s a good time to make sure the drain hole isn’t plugged again. (See above.)
If You Are On A Window Air Conditioner Does Not Have A Drain Hole
As mentioned earlier, most new air conditioners do not have a drain hole. The reason for that is that it brings better efficiency and cost of use, explained in the video above, However it was also pointed out that in some cases there is no drainage hole which can be a problem.
There are many videos that recommend drilling a hole in the bottom of the air conditioner to let the condensate out. But if you drill something that shouldn’t be drilled, you could cause a refrigerant leak and destroy your cooler.
Fortunately, there are better alternatives such as using a paper towel to remove some of the moisture. There is a demonstration of this in the video as well.
The conclusion
To wrap it up, there may be several reasons why your window air conditioner is not draining water. It may be designed that way, or it may be due to one of the following.
- Clogged drain hole
- Clogged drain pipe
If it’s the first, it may mean taking the air conditioner out of the window to fix it and if it’s the second, you’ll need to access the outside of the unit.
It is recommended not to connect a drain hole if you live in a humid area, but units without drain holes are sold in these areas. If that’s the case for you, check out the video above as it offers some options.
Thanks for checking out this article!
While you’re here, why not take a moment to browse the related articles listed below? Maybe we can help you with something else.
