When the summer heat kicks in and your AC fan is not spinning, you might be tempted to wonder, “Is it broken? Dangerous? Expensive?”
Before you pick up the phone, read this blog and learn about a few smart checks you can do on your own first. Because at SwiftPro, we believe every homeowner should feel empowered—not overwhelmed—when something goes wrong with their HVAC.
AC Fan Not Spinning On AC Unit? Check these 5 Things.
1. Check the Thermostat
Sometimes, the solution is surprisingly simple. Make sure your thermostat is set to “cool” and the temperature is set lower than the room temp. If your ac is not clicking on, your thermostat settings might be to blame.
DIY Fix: Set your thermostat to cool and at a lower temperature setting than the current room temperature.
2. Look for Water on the Floor
Check for water on the floor around your indoor unit. Many modern HVAC systems include built-in water safety switches (often called float switches) that shut down the system if water collects where it shouldn’t. If your drain line clogs, that water backs up, trips the float switch, and stops your AC from running. Water on the floor near your unit may indicate that this has happened.
DIY Fix: Use a shop vac to clean the condensate drain line. You can also flush it with a 1:4 vinegar-to-water mix to clear out gunk, debris, or allergens.
3. Check the Circuit Breaker
Go to your breaker box and check if the AC breaker has tripped.
DIY Fix: If your AC breaker has tripped, reset it—but only once. If it trips again, leave it off and call a pro. Something else is going on, and you don’t want to risk damaging your
4. Listen for Clues — Fan Not Spinning on AC Unit
This is where your ears become your best diagnostic tool. If you hear a buzzing sound but the fan isn’t spinning on your AC unit, it’s likely a blown capacitor. If the compressor is humming but the fan remains still, the issue may be a bad fan motor. And if everything is silent? That could indicate a tripped safety switch, a pulled disconnect, or even a more serious electrical issue.
DIY Fix: If you’re confident and cautious, some homeowners replace capacitors themselves. They’re around $15 at hardware stores. But warning: capacitors store electricity even after power is turned off and can be dangerous. If you’re unsure, skip the DIY and call a pro.
5. Check the Outdoor Disconnect (Caution!)
Next to your outdoor AC unit, you’ll see a small gray box mounted on the wall. That’s the electrical disconnect, which cuts high-voltage power to your unit for safety during maintenance. If someone accidentally pulled it—or if the fuses inside blew—your AC won’t turn on, even if the rest of the system seems fine.
DIY Fix: You can pull it out and check the fuses if you’re handy, but high voltage is no joke. If you’re unsure, skip this step and give a professional a call. Safety always comes first.
Once you’ve worked through these five quick checks, you’ll have a much better idea of what’s going on—or at least where the problem might be coming from. Safety always comes first, and if you don’t feel comfortable with diy repairs, you should always seek help from an HVAC company.
Professional HVAC Repair Costs: What to Expect
While a DIY capacitor replacement might only run you about $15 at a home improvement store, hiring a professional to do the same job could cost around $300. Though hiring a professional is much more expensive, it’s worth it if you are unsure of your own repair abilities.
HVAC companies will charge upwards of $1,000 for motor replacements or other mechanical issues. But, again, attempting a DIY when you don’t know what you are doing could result in much higher costs, including the cost of a full system replacement (upwards of $10,000 to $15,000). While DIY fixes can save you money, they are not always worth the risk. Check out our tips on how to choose a heating and air conditioning contractor.
Bonus Tips to Keep Your Repaired AC in Tip-Top Shape
Once your ac fan is spinning again, you can keep your system in tip-top shape with our maintenance tips:
- Clean the outdoor coil: Spray it down once a year with a garden hose to remove dirt. It’ll save you from expensive chemical cleanings later.
- Replace refrigerant line insulation: For $5, you can attach foam insulation to your refrigerant line with zip ties. (We charge $150 to do it for you.)
- Seal wall penetrations: Use spray foam or perma-gum to keep pests and air leaks out.
- Change or wash your filter: Get into the habit of doing this every 60 days for optimum filtration and airflow.
- Keep your drain clean: If you find the termination of the drain (in the floor), you can shop vac it for about 45 seconds and then flush it with water or a vinegar and water solution to free it from debris.
If you’ve made it this far through the blog, live in Northern Virginia, and prefer to leave repairs and maintenance like this to the professionals, contact SwiftPro HVAC. Our friendly Fairfax ac repair team can be at your home fast, with upfront pricing and zero-pressure service.
