Managing an AC fan that isn’t spinning might be challenging, particularly during the sweltering summer. A non-spinning fan may result from several problems, such as a bad capacitor, a bad motor, or a clogged air filter. However, there are various measures you may employ to diagnose what’s wrong if you have it.
We’ll look at a few typical causes of an AC fan failing to spin in this post, along with suggestions for fixing the problem. Keep your house cool and pleasant during summertime by following instructions to ensure your air conditioner operates smoothly and effectively.
How Does an Air Conditioner Fan Operate?
An AC fan is a crucial element of an air conditioning unit that assists air circulation around a residence or structure. The fan, typically found in the exterior AC unit, functions in tandem with the compressor to cool the airflow in your house.
The compressor circulates coolant via the air conditioning system before transferring it to the external unit once the equipment is switched on. The outside unit’s coolant picks up heat from the surrounding air as it circulates. The cooled air is then circulated to your residence by the AC fan as it draws air over the coils packed with refrigerant.
Generally, an engine under a capacitor’s supervision powers the AC fan. As the motor turns, it spins the fan blades and creates airflow. This process helps to remove heat and humidity from your home and keeps you cool and comfortable even during the warmest days of the year.
Why Won’t The AC Fan Turn On?
The AC unit can be useless when the fan isn’t spinning correctly. Since the air conditioning system and its components fail to function as they should, it may occasionally be challenging to determine whether the AC fan has been the issue.
If the other components of the air conditioning unit are working, it may be challenging to pinpoint the exact location of the breakdown. However, the AC fan is undoubtedly to blame. It can be helpful to pay attention to the AC compressor’s buzzing to determine whether the rest of the device is performing as it should.
Reasons For The Fan Not Spinning
When an AC unit’s fan is not spinning, there might be multiple potential reasons. Let’s explore them in deeply in this section:
1. The Circuit Breaker Is Tripped
If the circuit breaker is tripped, it means that there is an electrical issue that has caused the breaker to shut off power to the AC unit. This can happen for various reasons, including a power surge or a short circuit. When the breaker is tripped, the AC fan will not receive power and will not spin.
- The first step is to reset the circuit breaker to fix the issue.
- Locate the circuit breaker panel in your building or home and find the breaker that controls the AC unit.
- Turn the circuit breaker off and then back on again. If the breaker continues to trip, it may be a sign of a more serious electrical issue that requires the attention of a professional electrician. In some cases, the AC fan may also need to be inspected by a technician to ensure no damage is caused by the power surge.
2. The Capacitor Might Be Defective
Various components of the AC system, like the motor, fan, etc., work with the help of a capacitor which is responsible for supplying the necessary energy and electricity. This device might not function efficiently in case of a faulty capacitor. Much before you experience capacitor problems, an HVAC expert may replace worn-out capacitors.
If you’ve got prior experience fixing air conditioning mechanisms, you could examine the capacitor’s condition manually. To turn off the electrical supply to your cooling system, you need to switch off the condenser. Open the entry panel, inspect the capacitor for damage, and change it when the device has been properly turned down. Remove every wire from the previous capacitor and swap it out for a fresh one.
3. The Fan Motor Is Burned
The electrical impulses that come from the capacitor are what the fan motor uses to generate the rotation that’s required for spinning the fan blades. This component’s multiple working internal components make them susceptible to various issues.
Like automotive motors, this element can become damaged internally, explode when adequate maintenance or care isn’t taken, or even seize up. The standard solution for this is to substitute the AC fan motor, although this is a costly endeavour to do so. A new AC installation might be preferable considering how old and general effectiveness of the HVAC system.
4. The Air Filter Is Clogged
If the air filter in an AC unit is clogged, it can cause the fan not to spin correctly. The air filter removes dust, debris, and other particles from the air before it is circulated throughout your home. It might be difficult for the fan to move air when the filter gets blocked since it hinders air passage via the structure.
The air filter needs to be checked and replaced if it is blocked or unclean to resolve this problem. The filter must typically be changed between thirty to ninety days, based on consumption and filter kind. The AC system’s effectiveness, energy usage, and indoor air quality may all be enhanced in your residence with a new air filter.
5. Flawed Belt
A broken belt is frequently the cause of a belt-driven fan failing to spin in old air conditioning units. Belts tend to deteriorate, crack, or break over time, which could prevent the fan from spinning. There might be a screeching or squealing sound once the belt is broken.
The defective belt needs to be changed to resolve this problem. Before changing the belt, turning off the electricity to the AC machine is crucial. The new belt must be sized and adjusted correctly to prevent slipping or breaking. In some circumstances, a professional may be required to swap the belt and check the functionality of the AC unit.
6. Electricity Problem
A power outage may contribute to the causes of an AC fan not running. This could result from a broken thermostat, blown fuse, or poor electric wiring. This stops the air conditioning unit from obtaining enough energy to operate the fan or other parts.
To fix this problem, look for any weak or frayed wires in the electrical links and wiring. Check to see if the circuit breaker is still good and change it if necessary. Calling a qualified HVAC specialist to evaluate the AC system and identify any underlying problems that could be worse is advised if the trouble continues.
7. Check Contactor
A defective or worn-out contactor within an AC machine may prevent energy from reaching the fan engine, allowing the fan to operate wrongly or not to spin correctly. The AC unit could make a rattling or humming sound, yet the fan won’t turn on because of contactor problems.
The contactor must be examined to see if it’s malfunctioning or has worn out to resolve this problem. In other circumstances, the contractor might only require cleaning or adjustment. Once the contactor is seriously harmed, it might require to be changed. An expert HVAC technician shall investigate the matter, installing a new contactor if required to ensure your AC unit works swiftly.
8. Fan Blades That Have Broken
If the cooling fan wings in an air conditioner break, the fan will not rotate or may spin irregularly. Damaged fan wings can result from various factors, including physical harm or normal depreciation. If the fan blades are significantly broken, they can trigger the air conditioner to tremble or make a loud bang.
It will help if you replace the faulty fan blades to resolve this condition. A competent HVAC specialist will securely change those blades, ensuring your air conditioning equipment runs properly. It can be critical to fix this problem as soon as possible to avoid additional harm to the HVAC unit or additional safety concerns.
9. Wiring Issues
Wiring issues may trigger the air conditioning fan to operate inefficiently or not at all. Weak or corroded wires, defective links, or poorly placed wiring are all examples of wiring problems. When there’s an issue with the electrical wiring, the air conditioner may make a loud humming or clicking sound.
An accredited HVAC expert must be called to analyze the electrical connections to find the source of the issue to resolve this matter. Any faulty or frayed wires must be repaired or substituted as needed to guarantee that the air conditioner receives the right power and functions effectively.
10. Clogged Fan Bearings
Dirty fan components can cause issues for the AC fan to operate inefficiently or to make a humming noise. The bearings of an AC fan assist the engine in rotating efficiently, yet they may build up particles and dirt gradually, producing friction and preventing the fan from rotating properly.
A skilled HVAC expert shall inspect and repair the fan gears to resolve this problem. The bearings might have to be greased or changed in rare circumstances To guarantee that the AC equipment runs properly. It is critical to fix such a problem as soon as possible to avoid additional harm to the AC system or other safety issues.
11. The Thermostat Isn’t Correctly Set
The fan might fail to operate or switch on as it should when the thermostat in an air conditioner has not been configured correctly. A thermostat controls the ambient temperature and interacts with the air conditioner to switch it on or off as necessary. The air conditioning system may only function effectively if its temperature is set appropriately.
The thermostat must be examined to ensure it operates effectively and has been adjusted to the appropriate setting to resolve this problem. The temperature regulator may occasionally require adjusting or changing its settings to ensure the air conditioning unit functions correctly.
12. The Evaporative Coil Of The AC Unit Is Frozen.
A frozen evaporator coil inside an air conditioner may prevent the fan from spinning or cause it to rotate gradually. Also, the evaporative coil is in charge of soaking warmth off the atmosphere, and if it freezes, it may prevent airflow via the device. Due to this, the AC system may switch off unexpectedly or fail to cool the room adequately.
Moreover, a qualified HVAC expert must examine the evaporator coil to identify the root of the chilling problem before recommending a solution. Furthermore, for an air conditioner to function correctly, a mechanic may require to clear the coil or fix any coolant spills.
How Can The Problem Of The AC Machine Fan Not Spinning Be Fixed?
The cooling fan of an air conditioner can stop spinning for various reasons; thus, the exact problem will determine the appropriate course of action. Following are a few standard actions that can be performed to identify and fix the issue:
- Examine the circuit breaker’s status : If it has tripped, restore it and inspect it to determine whether the fan is running. If the fuse trips again, there might be an even bigger condition that needs to be handled by a specialist.
- Check the air filtration : A blocked air filter may result in the fan operating inefficiently or malfunctioning. Check whether the issue is resolved by cleaning or replacing the air filter.
- Inspect the belt: A bad belt might make the fan rotate slowly or not at all. Look for evidence of deterioration on the belt, and change it when appropriate.
- Look over power problems: Ensure that the electrical wiring, fuse, and contactor have been checked and are in good working order. Furthermore, verify that the air conditioner is getting enough power. Also, if you notice any problems, contact a qualified HVAC specialist who can identify and fix what’s wrong.
- Wipe the fan wings and components: Clogged or dirty fan wings or components may make your fan not spin. To ensure that these parts are operating effectively, clean or grease them.
- Thermostat track: Check that the thermostat has been configured and working appropriately. There might be a need for replacement or calibration.
Hire a qualified HVAC specialist to identify and fix the problem if neither of the above fixes solves your issue.
Final Words
There could be several reasons why the fan on your air conditioning unit may not be spinning. Examining the air filtering system, fuse, belt, fan bearings and blades, electrical supply, thermostat, and the contactor may prove necessary for identifying and resolving the issue.
Since the problem may affect the functionality and effectiveness of the air conditioner, it is crucial to take action quickly to resolve it. Call a qualified HVAC specialist for help if you need more confidence evaluating or fixing the issue yourself.
