
Common Portable Air Conditioner Problems and Solutions
- The Portable Air Conditioner Is Not Starting Assess the drain line and drain pan evaporator filter and coils for any discolorations. ...
- Portable Air Conditioner Has Stopped Functioning A portable air conditioner may shut down if there has been an active timer. ...
- Shortage Of Airflow Coming From the Air Conditioner ...
- Portable AC Is Not Cooling Enough ...
- There’s a Musty Smell In Air Conditioner ...
- Check the air conditioner electrical plug. ...
- Mode setting: Most air conditioners have at least three settings: “Cool,” “Fan,” and “Dry.” Make sure your AC is set to “Cool” mode, and turn the air conditioner thermostat down below room temperature to make sure the system will activate.
Why is my air conditioner not working?
Why is My Air Conditioner Fan Not Working?
- Reasons the Central Air Conditioner Fan Is Not Working. ...
- Check Your Thermostat. ...
- Circuit Breaker is Tripped. ...
- Air Filter is Blocked. ...
- Broken Fan Blade. ...
- Burnt Out Condenser Fan Motor. ...
- Frozen Evaporator Coil. ...
- Compressor is Not Working. ...
- Malfunctioning Run Capacitor. ...
How do you troubleshoot home air conditioning?
Try the following DIY AC troubleshooting tips the next time you’re having AC issues:
- Check for a dirty air filter
- Check your thermostat settings
- Check your air conditioner circuit breakers
- Check your outdoor unit
- Check all air vents
How to fix air conditioner not cooling?
Your portable air conditioner is cooling… but not enough
- Close all doors and windows. This may sound obvious, but your portable AC won’t be able to cool your room down if the doors and windows are open.
- Vent the exhaust hose outside. One of the most common issues of insufficient cooling from a portable AC is a leaky exhaust hose. ...
- There is too much heat load. ...
Why is air conditioning not working?
if the power supply is not present, the problem might be:
- defective wiring or fuse
- bad pressure switch
- bad control module
- ac operation criteria has not been met: low refrigerant pressure (low refrigerant or low pressure switch) outside temperature too low (ambient temperature sensor) high refrigerant pressure (engine temperature too high/blockage ...

Why would a portable air conditioner stop working?
The most common cause of a portable AC not cooling a room is lack of adequate airflow. If the air filter is dirty or clogged, there may not be enough air flowing over the evaporator coils and the coils can become too cold and frost over. This restricts airflow and a portable AC won't cool the room.
Why is my portable air conditioner not blowing out cold air?
If your Portable Air Conditioner is not blowing cold air please check the following: check that the unit temperature setting is lower than the room temperature; check that the fan is blowing warm air from the back of the unit; check that you hear the compressor kick on after start up (could be a 3 minutes delay);
How do I reset my portable air conditioner?
0:542:41Reboot Air Conditioner - Reset Power to your A/C - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipInside of the switchboard there should be a circuit breaker labeled AC. This is also an acceptableMoreInside of the switchboard there should be a circuit breaker labeled AC. This is also an acceptable way of rebooting or isolating the power to your unit.
How do I know if my portable AC compressor is bad?
5 Signs & Symptoms of a Bad AC CompressorYour AC Is Making Growling, Screeching, or Clattering Noises. Electrical failures in the compressor will make your AC emit unusual clunking or rattling noises. ... You Have a Hard Time Getting Your AC to Start. ... Your AC Stops Blowing Cold Air. ... Circuit Breaker Problems. ... Diminished Airflow.
How long does a portable air conditioner last?
5 to 10 yearsPortable air conditioners last from 5 to 10 years. Portable AC units can be moved from room to room and can generate anywhere from 8,000 BTU to 15,000 BTU of cooling output. Portable AC units have the lowest lifespan of all AC types because: They get moved around a lot.
Can you recharge the freon in a portable air conditioner?
Technically, you can have a certified technician refill your portable air conditioner, but that's like bailing out a flood without turning off the tap. Refrigerant should remain a constant in your system; it's not like a car, where you need to top up the oil level for optimal running.
How much does it cost to repair a portable air conditioner?
Repairing portable AC may involve draining the water, changing the filter, cleaning the exterior, or checking other parts for repair needs. The repair costs for portable AC ranges between $75 to $150.
Where does the water go in a portable air conditioner?
All portable air conditioners produce condensation as they are cooled. This water is then contained in an internal water reservoir or drained through a hose. On all of our models, this water reservoir has an auto shutoff feature so that water is never accidentally spilled onto the ground.
Do AC units have reset buttons?
Most air conditioning units are equipped with a reset button. These buttons tend to be red and quite small. If you're having a tough time finding it, consult your owner's manual.
How do you tell if a compressor is burnt out?
But perhaps the simplest method is the “odor test.” The smell that comes when a hose is connected to the system is both pungent and revealing. Once sniffed, it's never forgotten and is one of the best indicators of a compressor burn-out.
How do you check if the compressor is working?
0:051:52How to Check for Bad Compressor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSound when it's good I'm going to go from common to start you see that green light and you hear thatMoreSound when it's good I'm going to go from common to start you see that green light and you hear that noise common to start winding is good.
What is the most common cause of compressor failure?
The Two Main Causes of Compressor Failure From there, rods, bearings, and surfaces within the compressor wear down, and eventually seize. Slugging: Slugging occurs when liquid, such as oil or refrigerant, is forced through the suction line and enters the compressor.
How do you clean a portable air conditioner coil?
1:1510:36How to Clean Coils in Portable Air Conditioner - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFor cleaning use a soft brush. House as a bottle scrubbing brush because the fins on the coils areMoreFor cleaning use a soft brush. House as a bottle scrubbing brush because the fins on the coils are fragile use a gentle up and down motion.
How do you clean a portable air conditioner filter?
0:452:02How to Clean Your Air Conditioner Filter | eReplacementParts.comYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSome portable units may also have a second smaller filter located on the back of the unit. Make sureMoreSome portable units may also have a second smaller filter located on the back of the unit. Make sure to clean and replace this as well during maintenance. Thank. You so much for watching. Leave.
Where is the thermostat on a portable air conditioner?
The thermostat is located behind the control panel.
How much does it cost to repair a portable air conditioner?
Repairing portable AC may involve draining the water, changing the filter, cleaning the exterior, or checking other parts for repair needs. The repair costs for portable AC ranges between $75 to $150.
How to fix a portable air conditioner that is not working?
A few quick fixes for this problem are straightening the hose, removing any blockages, and positioning the portable air conditioner further away from the window.
What is wrong with my portable air conditioner?
If there is no problem in any of those components then there is something wrong with the portable air conditioner, which can be as simple as a blown internal fuse.
Why won't my portable AC cool my room?
The most common cause of a portable air conditioner not cooling a room is lack of airflow. If the air filter is dirty or clogged, there may not be enough air flowing over the evaporator coils and the coils can become too cold and frost over. This restricts airflow and a portable AC won’t cool the room.
What causes a portable AC unit to not flow?
An overheated compressor may also lead to a lack of airflow. Inspect the window section of the portable AC unit and the hose to see if there is adequate ventilation.
Why does my portable air conditioner shut down?
A portable air conditioner may suddenly shut down if a timer was active. Restart it again and see if it stops again without the timer being active.
How to diagnose portable AC not cooling?
Similar to the last problem mentioned, to diagnose the problem of the portable AC not cooling enough, first check the filter and see if it is clogged or dirty. If it is, clean it.
Why is my AC compressor not turning on?
Another reason the AC compressor is not turning on the portable AC unit is because it doesn’t need to run at that moment. The compress in a portable air conditioner cycles on and off as necessary to cool the room. Once the set temperature is met, the compressor will turn off and not come back on until the unit senses that the room air has raised in temperature.
Why is my portable AC not cooling?
This constant venting causes a pressure imbalance that pulls in warm air from the other areas, including adjoining rooms and the outdoors. Normally, if the room is properly sealed and all the doors and windows are closed , the air coming is never enough to overwhelm the portable AC unit. If there's a leak, or if the outside temperature is extremely high, the air conditioner may not be able to generate enough cold air to cool the room. Sunlight can also heat a room faster than your portable air conditioner can cool it. If temperature keeps rising, check for leaks and close the blinds. It may be enough to swing things the other way.
Why are portable AC units so small?
Because they're small units, the two primary reasons for inadequate cooling are incorrect sizing and extreme ambient temperatures. The size of an air conditioner refers ...
Why does my portable AC compressor shut down?
Check the hose and window unit to make sure they're still venting air properly. If the portable AC is unable can't vent the heat generated by the compressor, it will build up inside the unit and cause the compressor to shut down.
What does the size of an air conditioner mean?
The size of an air conditioner refers to its cooling power, not its physical proportions. Portable ACs are sized according to their BTU ratings, and if your portable AC has the wrong BTU rating for the size of the room you're trying to cool, its efficiency will be affected.
Why does my grill coil freeze?
This happens when the low temperatures around the coils cause water to condense. If the water doesn't drain properly , it can build up and freeze around the coils, hampering air flow. To check the coils the same as above. Remove the back grill and the filters and inspect the top compartment.
Why is my AC unit not getting air flow?
There are many reasons for lack of air flow. The most common cause is a clogged filter. Remove the grill in the back of the unit and clean any excess dust off the filter with a brush or a vacuum, then rinse if off with some running water. Also check for clogs in the evaporator or condenser coils, which you can see in the top compartment of the AC unit after you remove the grill and filters. If you spot any, remove them with your vacuum hose attachment.
How to fix a broken power cord?
Start by making sure the power cord is correctly plugged in and that the cord itself isn't damaged. Check the wall plug and circuit breaker as well. Try resetting the circuit at the breaker box, or changing the socket or outlet.
How to check if an air conditioner is working?
If every other device or the lights in the room are working, you should examine the air conditioner’s main power outlet. Assess if the socket has power, check the cable to see if it is broken, see the circuit breaker to check if it is working properly, reset the circuit or use another outlet to see if the appliance starts.
Why does my portable air conditioner shut down?
A portable air conditioner may shut down if there has been an active timer. Give it a restart again and notice if it stops again without the active timer.
Why is my air conditioner filter clogged?
Lack of airflow can be the cause of a clogged or dirty filter. When troubleshooting this air conditioner issue, first clean the filter to eliminate any dust or dirt that’s been trapped inside it, use a brush or a vacuum.
What is portable air conditioner?
Portable air conditioners are usually used for additional cooling and often used in regions where centralized air conditioners do not cool a room inside an office or home evenly.
Why does my air conditioner smell?
A musty smell is one of the most common portable air conditioner problems and solutions to repair. This odor usually indicates the growth of mold or mildew. When an air conditioner unit retains water, mold spores find it to be a perfect breeding ground. If you remove water, the odor will go away.
How hot should a portable AC be?
The set temperature for a portable AC device should not be higher than ten degrees below the outside temperature.
Why won't my exhaust remove hot air?
Examine the exhaust hose and check if there is any obstruction here. An extremely long exhaust hose might be an issue. If it is too long, then it won’t remove hot air properly. Try to make sure that this hose is as short as possible.
Hisense Portable Air Conditioner Not Cooling
First of all, before you jump even more into the Hisense portable air conditioner troubleshooting, you need to ensure that you use the correct size of Hisense portable air conditioner correctly. It’s important to use the suitable ones in order to cool the room quicker.
Hisense Air Conditioner Keeps Turning Off
This may sound simple but checking your mode should be the first thing to do. Indeed, go double check them, if it shows in smart mode, the temperature relies on the temperature around the room. Thus, assure yourself to set your portable air conditioner on cool mode.
