3 Easy Ways to Reset an Air Conditioning Unit That’s Not Working

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A quick and easy guide to get your AC blowing cold air after a power outage
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It’s the dog days of summer and you’ve been outside baking in the sun. You walk inside your home to get some sweet relief and find that your A/C is blowing warm air. Rats! Before you call an HVAC technician, try resetting your air conditioner. If there was a power outage or the breaker was tripped, a quick reset can solve the issue. With these simple steps, your central AC or window unit will be blowing cold air in no time.

Things You Should Know

  • Unplug your AC unit, wait 15 seconds, then plug it back in. Press and hold the red reset button on the unit for 3-5 seconds to easily reset your system.
  • Alternatively, turn off the thermostat and flip the breaker that controls your AC to "off." After 2 minutes, flip the breaker back on and restore power to the thermostat.
  • For a window air conditioner, press the reset button for 5 seconds. If your unit doesn’t have one, unplug the unit and plug it back in after 5 minutes to reset it.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using the Reset Button

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  1. Find the power cord that connects your external AC unit to the wall. Remove the cord from the outlet. [1]
  2. Wait at least 15 seconds before reconnecting the power cord to the outlet. [2]
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  3. Look for a small, red button on the outside of your unit. If you can’t find it, check the user manual for your AC unit. Once you locate the button, hold it down for a few seconds, then release it. Voila! Your air conditioner has been reset and should start blowing cold air soon. [3]
    • If you don’t have a paper copy of your manual, search for it online using the make and model.
    • If your AC unit still isn’t working properly, reach out to a local HVAC technician. They’ll be able to diagnose and fix your air conditioner.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Resetting AC Without a Reset Button

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  1. Switch your thermostat off so it doesn’t kick on the AC while you’re doing the reset. If you can, cut power to the thermostat. [4]
  2. If your external AC unit has a built-in electrical disconnect, switch it off. Then, turn off the breaker for your AC unit. [5] You might find the breaker box on an exterior wall near your outdoor unit or on an interior wall in your basement, garage, or hallway. [6] Find the switch or switches that are labeled for your AC unit and turn them off. [7]
    • A blown circuit breaker will be flipped outward (and that means you’ve found the culprit). Turn it fully to the off position.
  3. Give the unit a few minutes to discharge. If you switched off power to the AC unit at the electrical disconnect, turn that back on first. Then, flip the breaker or breakers to the on position. [8]
  4. Give your AC unit a chance to power back on. Then, restore power to the thermostat and set it to “cool.” [9] Some HVAC companies recommend waiting 30 minutes to turn your thermostat back on to give the unit more time to reset the internal breaker. If turning it back on after 1 minute didn’t fix the issue, try the process again but wait 30 minutes this time.
    • If your AC still doesn’t blow cold air or makes any strange noises, contact an HVAC technician to troubleshoot and fix your system.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Resetting a Window Unit

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  1. Look for a reset button on the cord or the unit itself. If you find one, simply hold the button down for 5 seconds. Then, wait 10 minutes for your AC to reset. [10]
  2. If your unit has a power button, turn it off. Then, unplug the power cord. [11]
  3. Give your AC unit a little bit of time to discharge so it can fully reset. [12]
  4. Plug it back in, then turn it on. Problem solved! [13]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I get my air conditioner to work again?
    Victor Belavus
    Air Conditioning Specialist
    Victor Belavus is an Air Conditioning Specialist and the Owner of 212 HVAC, an air condition repair and installation company based in Brooklyn, New York. In addition to HVAC and air conditioning units, Victor also specializes in furnace repair and air duct cleaning. He has over 10 years of experience working with HVAC systems.
    Victor Belavus
    Air Conditioning Specialist
    Expert Answer
    If the unit still does not work after resetting it, there may be a more significant issue that requires professional attention. In this case, it's best to contact a licensed HVAC technician to diagnose and repair the problem.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://greenleafair.com/why-is-my-outside-ac-unit-not-turning-on-what-does-reset-button-do/
      2. ↑ https://gibsonplumbingnv.com/how-to-reset-air-conditioning-unit/
      3. ↑ https://greenleafair.com/why-is-my-outside-ac-unit-not-turning-on-what-does-reset-button-do/
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggELi8v0hns
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggELi8v0hns
      6. ↑ https://www.thecleverhomeowner.com/find-breaker-box-in-your-house/
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggELi8v0hns
      8. ↑ https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/common-air-conditioner-problems
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggELi8v0hns
      1. ↑ https://hvacseer.com/reset-ge-air-conditioner/
      2. ↑ https://hvacseer.com/reset-ge-air-conditioner/
      3. ↑ https://hvacseer.com/reset-ge-air-conditioner/
      4. ↑ https://hvacseer.com/reset-ge-air-conditioner/
      5. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/air-conditioner-not-cooling/
      6. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/air-conditioner-not-cooling/
      7. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/air-conditioner-not-cooling/

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