As a Florida resident, your air conditioner is one of the most important parts of your home. It saves you from the relentless heat and humidity. It keeps your home cool and comfortable during the brutal summer. Honestly, it’s hard to imagine life without AC in the Sunshine State. That’s why when something starts to go awry with your AC, it can be a nightmare. So, what does it mean when the fan is not spinning? Why does this happen, and is there anything that can be done to fix it?
Why is My Outdoor AC Fan Not Spinning?
If your AC fan is not working properly, it may be indicated by one or more of the following signs:
- The AC fan blades are moving slowly
- Even though the AC is on, the fan won’t start
- After turning off the AC, the fan won’t stop spinning
- When the fan rotates, there are strange noises coming from the condenser unit
- The AC fan is not spinning at all
8 Reasons Why Your AC Fan Isn’t Spinning and How to Troubleshoot or Fix
If after checking your AC unit you find out your AC fan isn’t spinning, here are some of the reasons this might be happening and what you can do to fix the problem:
1. Tripped Breaker
Occasionally, parts of your AC might get overheated and cause your circuit breaker to trip. When this happens, switch it back to the middle setting prior to switching it on. If this is a recurring issue, it could be a sign of a more serious issue that needs to be investigated by a professional HVAC technician.
2. AC Fan Motor is Not Working
If your AC fan is not spinning, it could simply be that the motor has died. A dead fan motor is one of the most common causes for this problem, and it usually occurs in AC systems that have not been regularly maintained . The easiest way to resolve it is to replace the fan motor and schedule regular AC maintenance.
3. Burnt Out Motor
Over time, fan motors go through a lot of wear and tear and can eventually burn out, especially if not properly maintained. This usually requires a technician to fix and the system might need to be completely replaced.
4. Broken AC Compressor
The compressor works by circulating and applying energy to the refrigerant in your HVAC system. When it breaks, you’ll notice a lot of undesirable signs with your AC, including a fan motor that’s stopped spinning. Fixing or replacing a compressor requires professional HVAC service. If you suspect your AC compressor may be broken, call us to schedule your service appointment today.
5. Failing AC Contactor
A contactor is an electrical switch that controls the flow of electricity to components in the AC unit, like the fan motor. It’s common that the contactor can go bad over time due to stress and overuse on the unit. Over time, normal wear and tear can cause the contactor to overheat and fail.
Related: Bad AC Contactor Symptoms
6. Bad Capacitor
The capacitor sends power to the motor that provides your AC the energy it needs to turn on and run continuously. A bad capacitor can cause your AC fan to not spin, as well as affect various other components of your system. If you have a bad capacitor, the good news is capacitors are readily available and not nearly as costly as other AC parts. Therefore, your HVAC technician will be able to quickly replace the capacitor and restore your home’s comfort before you know it.
7. Check the Float Switch
The float switch is located inside your unit and is meant to shut it down if water begins to accumulate in the drain line. Depending on how your system is designed, it may turn off the whole system or just the condensing unit.
8. Condenser Fan Motor Failure
If the condenser experiences electrical failures, the motors inside the condenser that operate the fan and the motor may stop working. If the condenser continues to malfunction, it could severely damage or even stop the AC unit from cooling your home.
Related: Signs of a Bad AC Fan Motor
Contact Colman Heating & Air for AC Service in Brevard County
Our team of HVAC professionals has been providing reliable AC services to the Brevard County area since 1979, so you can depend on us for all your HVAC and home comfort needs. To schedule service, call us today at (321) 269-4565.
