AC Stopped Working Suddenly: Causes and Consequences

How do air conditioners actually stop working? Most of the time, it feels like an instant process – bam – and suddenly you’re in a desert! But more often, your heat-fighting champion “wears out” gradually until it reaches total exhaustion, when it can neither cool nor even hum.

Freon Service will tell you which warning signs to watch for and what to do if they rang too quietly and ultimately led to the inevitable.

A Month Before Your AC Stopped Working

1. You came home from work and did everything as usual:

• Put your car keys and bag on the shelf
• Took off your shoes
• Pressed the AC power button
• Loaded a playlist to match your mood
• Opened the fridge and started unloading groceries to prepare dinner

By the time you finished loading the air fryer, you finally felt cool enough after the outdoor heat. You caught yourself thinking that in previous days, this relief would come already when picking your music.

“Today was really hot,” your brain rationalizes, and you calmly enjoy a glass of lemonade while your dinner cooks.

But what if it’s not just the heat, and your AC is not working as efficiently as before?

2. One of the best things about your own little garden outside the window is the birds singing, especially in the morning. Strange that today they’re quiet.

You open the window to check if the grumpy ginger cat is wandering the lawn. Its thoughtful owner put a bell on its collar so the birds can hear it coming and fly off in time. Maybe that’s why the cat is so angry? But no, the cat isn’t visible. The strangest part – loud trills are coming through the open window. The garden’s feathered residents are having a field day. Why can’t you hear them inside?

Because your air conditioner is not working as quietly as before. It rattles, clicks, and vibrates. How did you not notice immediately? What’s happening?

3. What makes a Saturday morning magical?

• A cup of coffee in your hand
• A beautiful view out the window
• Your right sock soaking in a little puddle on the windowsill

Wait, what puddle? Where did that come from?

You put your cup aside and lean over to check. Sure enough – water has dripped.

“I told him not to overwater the plants,” you think irritably, checking the pots on the windowsill – but the area around them is dry.

“Maybe the sun evaporated it, and the rays don’t reach the floor.” The human brain is an expert at rationalization.

You go to the kitchen for a towel, and at that moment, a sparkling drop of water falls from the AC right into the tiny puddle you discovered.

It Was Weak at First – Now the AC Is Not Coming On

There can be several reasons, but Freon Service specialists most often address the following issues:

1. Refrigerant Leak

It is the “blood” of your cooling system. If there’s a microcrack in a line or fitting, the gas gradually escapes, and pressure drops.

You might notice the AC seems to run, the fan spins, but the air isn’t as cold.

• Do not just “top it off.” The leak won’t disappear on its own.
• Call Freon Service: our technician will diagnose, locate the leak, and seal it before refilling the refrigerant.

2. Dirty Filter

The most basic but also the most common reason your AC unit is not turning on. Dust, pet hair, and pollen clog the filter, and the system can’t “breathe” properly. Air circulation drops, the compressor works longer, and it overheats.

• Remove the cover of the indoor unit and rinse the filters under cool water.
• Let them dry completely before reinstalling.

Do this every 2–4 weeks, especially in summer when the system runs nearly daily. Don’t want the hassle? Call us.

3. Weak Compressor

If the compressor loses power, your cooling champion can no longer maintain proper refrigerant pressure. Sometimes you’ll hear the motor trying to start but immediately shutting off.

• This is a job for a professional. Freon Service will first check whether the unit is overheating (for example, due to a dirty condenser).
• We will measure compressor pressure and current.
• And then we’ll decide whether to repair or replace it.

The key takeaway is this: If your home isn’t cooling as effectively, don’t delay inspection.

AC Fan Is Not Turning On – and a Bit Before It Was Pretty Loud

A loud AC isn’t just annoying – it’s a sign that a part is overloaded, for example:

1. Fan Bearings

Lubrication dries out, metal rubs on metal, creating rattles or squeaks.

• Do not lubricate yourself – many models have sealed bearings, and oil can damage them.
• Turn off the AC to prevent jamming and call Freon Service.

2. Mountings

Long-term operation, vibrations, and even small wall movements can loosen screws or brackets holding the case and internal parts.

Result – rattling, especially noticeable at startup or shutdown.

• Carefully remove the front panel and check for loose screws.
• If the case “wobbles,” gently tighten with a screwdriver (don’t overdo it).

Unsure? Call us.

3. Blades

The air conditioner fan is not working if dust or condensation accumulates on its blades and they can throw the balance off.

• Turn off power, check inside – clean gently with a soft brush and damp cloth.
• Bent or cracked blades? Don’t straighten manually – call us to replace the part.

Remember: the sooner you address the noise source, the lower the risk of costly repairs.

It Cried for a While – Now the AC Is Not Turning On

Behind this “crying” can be a chain of causes:

1. Clogged Drain Hose

The most common cause of leaks. Moisture, dust, mold spores, and tiny debris gradually form a plug in the drain tube. The water then finds another path – straight onto your floor.

• Turn off the AC.
• Locate the drain line (usually exiting near the unit).
• Connect a vacuum with reverse suction and carefully clean the tube.

2. Frozen Evaporator

Poor airflow causes ice inside. When the unit is turned off, the ice melts, and water leaks out. Sometimes the AC is not turning on at all.

• Power off and let it fully defrost (1–2 hours).
• Check the filter – rinse and dry if dusty.
• If ice forms again – likely a refrigerant leak. Call Freon Service to check pressure and refill.

3. Cracked or Misaligned Drain Pan

Inside the unit is a pan collecting condensate. Over time, the plastic can crack from vibration or shift due to improper installation. Water then flows past the tube.

• Open the front panel and inspect the pan with a flashlight.
• Small cracks can be temporarily sealed with silicone.
• Best to call a technician – a crack often indicates improper tilt, so water doesn’t drain naturally.

If moisture reaches electronics, the control board may burn out. Mold spreads quickly through the house via vents, and suddenly you’re literally breathing it in.

Freon Service Advice

Don’t wait and wonder why is my AC not turning on. React promptly to any “odd” behavior from your cooling hero. That way, it will serve you faithfully and efficiently for years to come.