Introduction

An air conditioner is designed to cool enclosed spaces. However, if the fan is not spinning, there may be a problem with the internal mechanisms of your air conditioner. In this article, we cover the 7 most common reasons why your air conditioner fan is not spinning:

7 Causes of Why AC Fan is Not Spinning and How to Fix It

Why is the AC Fan Not Spinning?

Air conditioners are made up of several components that work together to bring cool air into your space. If one or more of these components are defective, your air conditioner could malfunction, which could result in the fan shutting off.

1. Tripped Circuit Breaker

The first possible cause to look for is a tripped circuit breaker. Check your service panel or circuit breaker box and locate the circuit breaker connected to your device. There should be a power button - turn the switch off and then back on and see if that fixes the problem.

If your AC circuit breaker keeps tripping, it may be overloaded because the circuit breaker may not be rated for the amperage of your AC usage. Disconnect all devices using the same circuit breaker or replace the current circuit breaker with a stronger circuit breaker.

2. Busted Fan Motor

One of the most common problems with your device concerns the AC fan motor. When the fan motor wears out, overheats, or shorts out, it cannot provide cooled air to your room. This is often due to a poorly maintained or overloaded air conditioner. You may need to replace the fan motor bearings or the entire part.

You will need the help of an experienced technician to diagnose and repair your condenser fan motor as this component is difficult to repair yourself. The technician will check if the problem is due to a defective fan motor or another part of your air conditioner before making the necessary repairs.

3. Broken Fan Blades

Sometimes the problem may be due to the broken fan blades. When this happens, you often hear a loud or whirring noise and need to hire a professional to diagnose and fix the problem for you. Fortunately, broken fan blades are easily repaired with new parts. Also consider having the entire unit checked for maintenance.

You can check the fan blades by removing the front cover of your device. The fan blades are located on the back of the device and depending on the model, you may need to remove the frame. You can easily fix twisted or bent fan blades by folding them back to their original position. However, we recommend consulting a professional to avoid further damage.

4. Broken or Faulty Belt

If your air conditioner is not new and the fan suddenly stops working or spins incorrectly, the problem may be a broken or defective belt. The V-belt wears out over time and needs to be replaced.

You can replace the belt yourself if you know how to repair machines. However, we recommend leaving this to a professional. To replace a V-belt, you must locate the belt in your device and draw a diagram of its path. Make sure your air conditioner is unplugged when you do this. Remove the broken belt and run the new belt in the same way to replace it.

5. Capacitor Issues

The condenser provides energy and power to the motor, fan and other components of the air conditioning system. If the capacitors fail, the device will not function properly. Capacitors can wear out over time and can be replaced by an HVAC technician long before capacitor problems arise.

If you have experience with air conditioning, you can check the condenser yourself. Turn off the capacitor to cut off power to your device. Once the device is safely powered off, you can open the access panel, inspect the capacitor, and replace it. Disconnect all leads from the old condenser and replace them with new ones as well.

6. Dirty Air Filter

Your AC filter is the part that separates the dust from the air, so the air coming out of your device is clean and free of dust particles. However, if dust builds up around this filter, it can become clogged and restrict airflow. Clean your AC filter regularly to avoid this problem.

To clean the air filter, follow the manufacturer's instructions for removing the filter. Remove the thick layer of dust from the filter with a vacuum cleaner, and then wash the filter under running water. Use a soft bristle brush to gently scrub the remaining dirt with liquid soap. Allow the filter to air dry completely before putting it back into your device.

7. Contactor Problems

The contactor helps the fan operate by sending voltage through the various components of your device. If this part fails, it can cause your fan to shut down and your device to not function properly. Have your contactor checked by an HVAC professional and replace the part if necessary.

Repairing a contactor is a DIY challenge as the risk of electrocution is high if you are not careful. Repairing this part of your air conditioner also requires some knowledge of electrical wiring. You will need to disconnect the contactor from the device and solder a new one in via the appropriate connectors. You can also blow out the dirt with compressed air.

3 Tips to Prevent Your AC Fan From Breaking Down

1. Do Not Overuse AC Unit

Overuse of your air conditioner will significantly shorten the life of the unit and can be the cause of a tripped circuit breaker as the AC unit works overtime to bring cool air into your room. With a malfunction of the fuse box, a malfunction of the air conditioning fan also occurs.

Excessive use includes using the air conditioner for hours without a cool down period, using a unit in a large room, or running the air conditioner on its coldest and highest setting for extended periods of time without maintenance.

2. Get Professional Air Conditioner Services and Cleaning

Only experienced professionals should clean, diagnose, and have AC repair. There are times when you are tempted to do the repair yourself to save on maintenance costs, but improper repair or cleaning can result in higher costs in the long run, and you may even have to replace your device if the problems persist.

Also, it is extremely dangerous to delve into the internal workings of an air conditioner unless you are an experienced HVAC technician. Arrange your unit service with Bannister Plumbing & Air. Our experienced technicians can clean, diagnose and repair any air conditioning issues on your unit so you can continue enjoying that cool breeze hassle free.

3. Clean Your Air Filter Regularly

Properly maintaining your filter will give you cleaner air and prevent mold from forming on the layer of dust that has accumulated on the filter. You can clean your AC filter by removing dust with soap and running water:

STEP 1: First, make sure your air conditioner is turned off and unplugged.

STEP 2: Open the filter cover of your air conditioner.

STEP 3: Clean the layer of dust on the filter with a vacuum cleaner.

STEP 4: Remove the filter and wash off the remaining dirt with soap and water.

STEP 5: Gently scrub the dirt trapped between the fibers with an old toothbrush.

STEP 6: Let the filter dry completely before putting it back into the device.

Maintaining Your AC Unit in Tyler, Texas

Air conditioners require professional cleaning and maintenance from time to time to keep all functions in good working order. Contact Bannister Plumbing & Air today to speak to one of our knowledgeable HVAC technicians Tyler, TX about any air conditioning issues you may have.

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