I’m sure you’ve heard of Murphy’s Law. The law says that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Let’s add to that — it’s going to go bad at the worst possible time. Let’s say it’s a hot hot day and your window air conditioner won’t turn on.
Before you whip out your credit card and hit up your favorite electronics website, there are a few things you can do to check and repair your AC.
Window air conditioners may not open for a variety of reasons, including blown fuses or blown breakers, dirty coils, refrigerant leaks, dead capacitors, dirty filters, and more. Other than refrigerant leaks, you can fix the problem yourself.
This article will take you through all the reasons why your window air conditioner might not start, and possible fixes. So keep reading.
What you will need
Depending on what the problem is with your air conditioner, you will need different tools. But if your air conditioner is not turning on, it may be a good idea to go through each step below and perform any recommended cleaning or inspections.
Here are the tools you will need.
- A screw
- Garden hose
- Coil brush
- Fin tool
- Coil cleaner – alternatively, you can use dish soap and warm water
- Multimeter
- Vacuum or hand broom
What To Do If Your Window Air Conditioner Won’t Open…
Now, let’s start with the most obvious.
… Check & Repair Your Power Source
This is a no-brainer, but your AC won’t work if it’s not getting power, right? And just because it’s plugged in doesn’t mean power is about to reach the unit.
If you have another outlet nearby, try connecting your unit to that and see if it works. If it happens, yes. You know you have a power source problem in the first place. If not, try the following.
Step 1
Check the power cord for any obvious damage. Burn marks, pet bite marks—if they’re people, you’ve got a big problem!—anything that can cause the wire to short out.
If the cord is broken or chewed, it can be replaced. If the wire is burned, you need to find the source of the fire.
Step 2
If there is no visible damage to the cord, check the breaker or fuse your outlet is attached to. If the breaker is tripped, reset it. If the fuse is blown, replace it.
However, if you reset or replace the breaker or fuse frequently, there is a problem somewhere that needs to be addressed, because a breaker that keeps tripping is a fire hazard.
If there is no problem with your power source, continue investigating.
…Check and Replace Remote Control Batteries
Does your window air conditioner work with a remote control?
Step 1
Check the remote control. Does the air conditioner beep when you send a command? Check and replace batteries as needed
…Check and Change Your Filter
Despite manufacturers repeatedly telling consumers that they need to be compatible filter adjustment, this is one of the most overlooked steps. And in line with that, is one of the most common causes of mood problems.
Lack of air flow will stop your air conditioner from working. It can get so bad that your coils will freeze and as a result, your air conditioner won’t turn on.
If this is you, the fix is easy.
Step 1
Turn off your air conditioner
Step 2
Following the manufacturer’s instructions, remove the front grill
Step 3
Remove and replace the filter, making sure your new filter follows the manufacturer’s specifications
Step 4
Reassemble your air conditioner
Step 5
Going forward, follow the manufacturer’s filter replacement guidelines – usually monthly during the cooling season
…Check and Replace Your Capacitor
The capacitor holds a temporary energy store and gives your air conditioner the extra power it needs to power it up. If it is dead, your air conditioner will not turn on.
Since you can get a huge shock from any remaining, high-voltage power on the capacitor, handling it can be dangerous. If you’re not comfortable with the next step, have a handyman, electrician, or appliance repairman handle the situation.
If you are confident that you will be able to DIY, follow the steps below. note that A capacitor is a round, tube-shaped part, usually black or silver metal.
Step 1
Unplug your air conditioner and move it away from the window
Step 2
Set your air conditioner on a level, solid surface
Step 3
Remove the front grill, filter, and the entire cabinet.
Step 4
Remove the capacitor, carefully following the steps in the video below. This is important, so please watch the tutorial.
Step 5
Before doing anything else, take a picture of your capacitor wires so you remember how to reconnect them.
Step 6
Check the capacitor for damage—is it leaking, burst, or deformed in some way?
Step 7
If you think there’s no visible damage—which makes testing useless because you’ll need to replace it anyway, use a multimeter to test the capacitor.
Step 8
Using the multimeter’s capacitor setting, touch each of the red and black probes to the terminals of each capacitor and check the reading against the listed rating for your capacitor.
Step 9
The capacitor needs to be replaced if the reading and measurement do not match or if it is visibly damaged.
…Check & Clean Your Compressor
Without a compressor, your air conditioner will not work. Literally.
It is the compressor’s job to move the refrigerant through the unitchanging it from liquid form to gas, and back again. If that cycle stops, the condenser coils can freeze, which not only makes it impossible for your AC to cool enough, it can make it ineffective.
Cleaning the condenser coils should be part of your annual maintenance schedule. If you go with that you won’t have to worry about them freezing and shutting down your air conditioner.
Here are the steps.
Step 1
Unplug and remove your air conditioner from the window
Step 2
Take it outside and place it on a flat, stable surface
Step 3
Remove the front grill, filter, and cabinet, following the manufacturer’s instructions
Step 4
Refer to your manual for the placement of your condenser coil
Step 5
Remove any large debris from the coils by hand, then use a brush or vacuum to remove any dust and dirt. They are not necessary, but you can also buy a coil brush made for this purpose.
Step 6
Check the fins on the coils and if any are bent, use a tool to straighten them
Step 7
With your garden hose set to low pressure, rinse the coils
Step 8
To clean the coils, you have the option of using a coil cleaner or using mild soap and warm water in a spray bottle.
When choosing to clean your coils, check if your coils are copper or aluminum and buy a brand that will work for what you have. Spray a layer of cleaner over the coils and as we lather we will remove any surface dirt.
Step 9
Let the foam sit for the time recommended by the manufacturer
Step 10
If you think you’ve bought a form that needs to be washed, do so using a low-pressure garden hose. However, some species do not require washing.
Step 11
Depending on the weather conditions, allow your air conditioner to sit outside long enough for the air to dry completely
Step 12
Reassemble and reinstall your air conditioner
…Check and Clean the Drain Pan
Not all window air conditioners have a drain hole and plug, but all have a condensate drain pan.. And if the pan closes, water can cause the condenser to freeze over or trigger a float switch that will shut down the system as a safety measure.
So you need to take out and clean the pan.
Step 1
First, check the bottom and bottom sides of the unit’s exterior for a drain plug. If you find one, remove it and let the water in the pan drain.
Step 2
If nothing comes out or if you can’t find the plug, remove the air conditioner from the window and sit down on a flat surface in the stable.
Step 3
Remove the front grill, the filter, and then the entire cabinet
Step 4
Remove the screws holding the drain pan in place and remove any dirt and debris from the bottom of the pan. If you have taken your cooler outside to clean it, use a garden hose on low pressure to clean the pan.
Step 5
Reassemble and reinstall your cooler, making sure to maintain a slight downward tilt — if the manufacturer requires it
If Your Windshield Won’t Open… It’s Probably Dead
Window air conditioners last about 8 to 10 years.
However, if you are experiencing problems like any of the above, your air conditioner may not have been properly maintained. If so, the lack of maintenance affects the quality and life of your unit, so it may die before its expected time.
It may be time to consider buying a new window regulator.
The conclusion
There are many things that can go wrong with an air conditioner – usually due to lack of proper maintenance – which can shut it down and prevent it from restarting.
However, doing any of the following may cause it to run again.
Unfortunately, it’s also possible that your air conditioner is dead and it’s time to think about buying a new one.
Hopefully, we have provided enough information to help you diagnose and repair the problem with your air conditioner. While you’re here, why not check out the related posts below? Maybe there is something else we can help you with.