How to Reset an Air Conditioner That Won’t Work  

It’s a scorching summer day in Calgary, and you’re relieved you have central air conditioning. But then you find your air conditioner behaving oddly or not cooling like it is supposed to. Before you fret, try resetting your air conditioning system. This easy step often fixes minor issues and gets your system working again.

Why Would I Want to Reset My Air Conditioner?

All air conditioning systems have a protection circuit breaker. This safety apparatus stops electrical mishaps, such as fires or explosions, that could happen from power surges or outages. When the circuit trips, resetting your air conditioner becomes necessary to get it working again.

Another thing that could lead you to have to reset the AC is if your unit is blowing warm air when it should be blowing cold air. In this situation, the culprit might be a thermostat problem. Occasionally, a simple reset is all it takes to correct the situation.

Although, it’s essential to approach this job with caution. If you’re uneasy about resetting the AC all by yourself, get in touch with a professional for peace of mind. Also, it’s important to realize that tampering with your unit’s internal elements might void your warranty, so always check the guidelines before going ahead.

5 Tips for Resetting an Air Conditioner

When simple issues develop, a reset is a good place to start. Here are five simple tips to reset the AC.

1. Reset the Circuit Breaker

Your home’s electrical panel houses the breakers for all your electrical circuits, including a specific one for your home comfort system. If the cooling system is having problems following a power surge or outage, try this strategy first.

Find the electrical panel—commonly found in the garage, basement, crawlspace or utility closet—and try to find the switch labeled for your HVAC system. If the circuits aren’t labeled, you might have to try things out. Turn the circuit breaker off, wait 30 minutes, and then flip it into “on” mode. Then, turn the AC back on, make sure that the thermostat is set to “cool” and take note of how the unit works.

2. Hit the Reset Button

If your air conditioner has a reset button, this is probably the quickest way to clear any slight glitches in the system. This small, red button is probably on or near the exterior condensing unit, possibly under a panel marked “Reset”. If you cannot find it, reference your physical owner’s manual or find one online.

Here are ways to reset an air conditioner using the reset button:

1. Switch your thermostat to the “off” setting.

2. Flip the circuit breaker that powers your HVAC.

3. Click and hold the reset button for three to five seconds.

4. Restore power to your AC by turning the circuit breaker back on.

5. Finally, set the thermostat to “cool” and pick a temperature slightly less than the current indoor temperature. The cooling system should start up in a few seconds. If the air being blown from the registers is cool, you’re good to go!

3. Flip the Isolation Switch 

If you don’t see a reset button, search for the isolation switch near the exterior unit. This safety feature enables you to shut off power to the air conditioner when the unit malfunctions without impacting the rest of your home’s electricity. It should look like a dial with an “on” and “off” position.

Turn the isolation switch off, wait 30 to 60 minutes and then flip the switch again to power it back up. This manual reboot fully disconnects your air conditioner from power, allowing all electrical equipment to reset.

4. Unplug the Unit 

Is your air conditioner still not performing as expected? The next air conditioning reset method is to unplug the equipment. First, locate the shutoff panel near the outdoor unit and turn off the power to the compressor. Then, unplug the AC from the power supply board. Leave the unit unplugged for at least 30 minutes to let any residual charge dissipate from the internal components, clearing any errors and giving the equipment a brand-new start. If your cooling system still isn’t working right after plugging it back in, the socket could be bad. You’ll need a professional to correct this situation.

5. Work with a Pro

When all else fails, or you’re not feeling confident in trying the DIY tips above, hiring a pro is your best bet. A certified HVAC tech can reset your system using specialized tools and diagnose underlying issues that might not be solved with a simple reset.

Air Conditioning Still Not Working? Call the Professionals at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning

If you’ve made an attempt at resetting your air conditioning yourself and it’s still not functioning, don’t worry—Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is here to help. Our certified technicians provide efficient, long-lasting AC repair, with your satisfaction guaranteed. If you’re not thoroughly happy with our AC services in Calgary, we’ll make it right! Call us at 403-279-5760 today to get your cooling system back on track!