You’ve been there; it’s a hot day and even though your air conditioner says it’s on, nothing is happening and your home remains as hot as ever. Air conditioner fan troubleshooting can be an infuriating task, especially as the temperature climbs. If you want to know the answer to the question, “Why is my air conditioner fan not spinning?” then allow Cooper’s Plumbing & Air, Tallahassee’s trusted AC repair company, to help. We’ll explain everything you need to know about the reasons for AC fan malfunction and what you can do to get your home’s temperature control back to a comfortable, less irritating level.
Causes of an AC Fan Not Spinning
There are plenty of reasons your AC fan may stop spinning. Diagnosing AC fan spin issues starts with keeping a close eye on your air conditioner unit, noting any noises it makes, any power surges that may be happening, or any other issues you’re running into. While it’s best to wait for a professional for fixing air conditioner fan problems, getting an initial scope of the issue can help provide solutions faster if the professional has something to work with.
If you’re wondering, “Why is my air conditioner fan not spinning?” then these issues may be the underlying cause of your problem.
Circuit Breaker Trip
A circuit breaker issue can mess up just about any appliance in your house, your air conditioner included. If your power supply tripped the circuit breaker, first find your circuit breaker and check to see if it has flipped. If it has, you likely had a power surge at some point, and all you need to do to get your air conditioner back up and running again is to flip it back.
If you have repeated issues with the circuit breaker, however, something else may be wrong. These issues could lie with either your circuit breaker, your air conditioner’s power supply, or a combination of the two. For this issue, contact an HVAC professional so they can provide some AC fan not rotating solutions.
Incorrect Thermostat
Think of your thermostat as the “brain” of your entire HVAC system, telling your heater to activate when the rooms are cold and your air conditioner to activate when things get too warm. If your thermostat is set incorrectly, it may be telling your fan to take some time off, causing it not to spin. Fixing this is as easy as checking your thermostat, ensuring that it’s set to ON instead of AUTO or Energy Saving modes.
Malfunctioning Thermostat
Just as a misleading thermostat can mess with your air conditioner, so too can a thermostat that’s functioning incorrectly. If the wiring on your thermostat is broken, or if your thermostat is internally not sending any signals, you’ll need to call in an HVAC professional to look at it and diagnose your problem fully. One way you can test to see if your thermostat is malfunctioning is by setting it to a specific temperature and seeing if any signals go out between it and your HVAC system; if there is nothing, call a professional.
Frozen Evaporator Coil
Your evaporator coil is responsible for much of the cooling process in your unit, gathering heat as the unit blows air through it. If the refrigerant is low in your air conditioner, this could cause the coil to freeze up. Blower fan malfunctions, as well as cold temperatures outside the home, can also cause your evaporator coil to freeze, causing the rest of your air conditioner’s functions to stop as well.
Defective Capacitor
The capacitor is the metal power control mechanism in your air conditioner that starts your motor. Without proper functionality from your capacitor, your air conditioner can’t start, which means that if you have a broken one, everything else can be functional and your air conditioner still won’t work. If you have warm air or humming noises coming out of your air conditioner, you may have a faulty capacitor that requires repair. Because it’s an electrical component, replacing a capacitor in your HVAC system yourself is very dangerous.
Broken Fan Motor
If you’re wondering, “Why is my air conditioner fan not spinning?” the most obvious answer is your fan’s motor. A broken fan blade, defective motor, or obstruction in the fan area can cause a fan to malfunction. To check your unit for a fan malfunction, ensure the unit is off and disconnected from any power and look through the top or the side of your unit at the fan.
Signs You Need Air Conditioner Maintenance
Getting an HVAC professional involved with your air conditioner is the best way you can maintain and protect your HVAC system. While maintenance on a schedule is best, the second best option is keeping a keen ear and eye out for signs that your air conditioner needs some work done. In addition to checking your air filter regularly, look out for some of the following signs that your air conditioner needs maintenance:
- The fan runs without stopping
- The fan doesn’t start
- Rattling, whining, whirring, or banging noises
- Leaking from the bottom of the unit
- No cold air flowing
- The unit goes through short cycles
- The unit frequently shuts down
Trust Cooper’s Plumbing & Air For All Your HVAC Needs
A broken AC fan can be a serious problem; knowing what caused the issue is the first step to fixing it. Now that you know the answer to the question, “Why is my air conditioner fan not spinning?” why not get all of your air conditioner problems resolved with Cooper’s Plumbing & Air? We understand that when you have air conditioner issues, nothing substitutes timely help. We can help answer any questions you may have about your unit and how to preserve it, like why running your AC continuously is a bad idea or how you can improve your air conditioner unit’s lifespan.
To learn more about our services and how they can help you today, consider reaching out to Cooper’s Plumbing & Air at 866-464-7132 for a free consultation.