AC not cooling: causes and what to do
Short answer
An AC that runs but doesn't cool most often has clogged filters, a dirty coil, or a remote set to Fan or Dry instead of Cool. If those are fine, the usual causes are low refrigerant gas from a leak, an outdoor fan or capacitor fault, or a compressor that isn't starting, often after low voltage.
Check these first
Check the remote
Set the mode to Cool (snowflake icon) and the temperature to 24°C or lower. Replace weak batteries.
Clean the filters
Lift the front panel of the indoor unit, slide out the mesh filters, rinse them in water, let them dry and put them back.
Look at the outdoor unit
Its fan should be spinning and nothing should block it: no boxes, plants or plastic covers.
Check the voltage
If the lights dim or the voltage is low, the compressor may not start. Wait for steady power.
Call a technician if
- Filters are clean but the air is still warm
- The outdoor unit is silent or its fan doesn't spin
- Ice forms on the pipes or indoor coil
- An error code or blinking light shows on the indoor unit
Call for AC repair in Kathmandu
981-383-6219- Open 7 days, Saturday included, 9 AM – 6 PM
- Talk to us in Nepali or English
Why ACs in Kathmandu stop cooling
Most ACs in the valley sit unused through the winter. Dust builds up in the filters and coils, so on the first hot day they can't move enough air to cool. A clean often fixes it.
Low and fluctuating voltage is the other big cause. It burns out the outdoor unit's capacitor or stops the compressor from starting. A refrigerant gas leak shows up as weak cooling that gets worse over weeks, sometimes with ice on the pipes.
Inverter ACs
Inverter ACs from Samsung, LG, Gree, Daikin and others usually show an error code or a blinking light pattern when something is wrong. Note it down before you call. It tells the technician whether to look at a sensor, a fan, the gas or the inverter board.
Questions
How often should an AC be serviced in Kathmandu?
Once a year, before the hot season (February to March), plus a filter rinse every few weeks while you use it.
Does my AC need a gas refill every year?
No. A sealed AC system shouldn't lose gas. If it is low, there is a leak, and the leak should be found and fixed rather than just topping up.