Blog>Expert Advice>What to do if your air conditioner fan isn’t working

Last updated: 13 June 2024

What to do if your air conditioner fan isn’t working

AC unit fan isn’t spinning? There could be a number of reasons why this is happening. Read on to find out more.

What to do if your air conditioner fan isn’t working
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If you’re facing this problem, you are not alone. One of the most common issues with air conditioning units is that the fan will simply stop spinning, preventing the unit from working properly.

Potential reasons why your AC fan isn’t spinning

1. Capacitor not working properly

Capacitors are like batteries that are capable of storing power to make sure the AC fan runs properly.

If a capacitor malfunctions, the fan will stop spinning or fail to spin at an adequate speed.

2. Fan motor issue

A common reason why an air conditioning unit’s fan will stop spinning is that the fan motor malfunctions.

If you run your AC unit quite frequently then the fan motor can become worn over time.

3. Worn bearings

It can often be the most basic element that can affect the overall efficiency of an air conditioning unit.

AC bearings can become worn and contaminated over time. Depending on their damage, bearings can either be lubricated to fix the problem or replaced.

4. Broken fan belt

You may have a broken fan belt on your hands. Your AC unit will still be working but the fan will be unable to spin properly. If this is the case, then you’ll likely need to get the fan belt replaced.

5. Power/electricity problems

There may be issues with the connectivity of your AC unit to your power supply. Make sure the unit is connected to a reliable power source, and check the circuit breaker to see if it has tripped.

If there’s an issue with the electrical cables, you likely won’t be able to detect it yourself, so it’s best to call an AC engineer.

What to do if my air conditioner fan isn’t spinning

If you have checked for obvious electrical issues and can’t seem to find a solution to your fan not spinning, then we recommend getting in touch with a professional.

Consult a professional air conditioning engineer who can diagnose and fix the problem.

Air conditioning expert servicing a unit

How much does it cost to fix a broken air conditioning fan?

An air conditioning engineer will normally charge between £30 - £60 per hourto service an air conditioning unit.

If you require a call-out to your location, you could be charged a call-out fee of approximately £130 - £180on a weekday or £170 - £220 on a weekend. Note these charges include the first hour of work.

You should consider the following costs when it comes to fixing an AC unit:

  • Labour charge and call out fee

  • The cost of any new refrigerant

  • Any other new parts that are required to fix you AC unit

Can I prevent this from happening in the future?

Unfortunately, the fan not spinning is one of those things that can easily happen over time with an air conditioning unit.

However, we recommend that you get your AC unit serviced once a year to prevent major issues.

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