Why Is My Outdoor AC Fan Not Spinning?

Summer heat and high temperatures can be extreme in Phoenix. You need a good air conditioner for comfort and relaxation indoors when it is too hot to be outside. Unfortunately, air conditioners can break down unpredictably, creating significant discomfort in your home.

Your system is made up of several components, and if one of them malfunctions, your unit won’t work smoothly or efficiently. The AC fan on your outdoor unit is one of the most important components of your HVAC system. When it stops spinning, you need to call a professional immediately to repair your AC and keep your house from getting too hot. Here’s what you need to know about your AC fan and why it sometimes stops spinning.

How the Outdoor AC Fan Works

Before you can figure out why your AC fan stopped spinning, you need to understand how the fan works. Your unit actually has two fans; the inside fan is responsible for blowing cool air inside your home, and the outside fan blows over the coils to cool air before it enters your home. Both fans must be working properly for your home to stay at a comfortable temperature. If either one stops spinning, your house won’t get cool.

Sometimes, your AC fan stops spinning for a simple reason that you can easily fix. However, if none of the following steps cause your fan to start spinning again, you need to call a professional:

• Change the air filter.
• Clean any dirt or grime that has built up on your fan blades.
• Clear away any debris that could affect the way your AC fans spin.

AC fans stop spinning primarily for two reasons. You probably won’t be able to fix them, but you may be able to explain the issue to your technician so that they can come prepared to fix it.

Why Your Air Conditioner’s Fan Might Stop Running

There are many possible causes why your air conditioner’s fan might stop running. The most common reasons include:

Issues with the capacitor

A capacitor is a small cylindrical device that provides energy to the AC unit’s motor. Air conditioning systems have several capacitors responsible for starting up the AC unit and providing power to keep the unit running. You know your capacitor is dead or bad if your outside air conditioner: has trouble turning on, shuts down on its own, and does not blow cold air. In addition, capacitors can wear out over time and need to be replaced.

Broken motor

Fan motors tend to break down if you overload them or fail to give them proper maintenance. A broken motor makes the air conditioner’s fan stop running and should be replaced immediately since it affects the whole AC system’s performance.

Blocked air filter

A blocked or clogged air filter restricts airflow in the air conditioner’s system leading to ice build-up around the evaporator coil. This ice build-up on the coil causes the fan not to work.

Issues with the contactor

A contactor with issues inhibits your system’s electrical flow, making the AC components malfunction due to lack of electricity. In addition, contactors develop issues because of system overheating and normal wear and tear. Therefore, always ensure proper maintenance of your contactor to ensure your air conditioner has a healthy working condition.

Troubleshooting Issues With Outdoor AC Fans

Having a malfunctioning AC is stressful, as it causes moisture to build up in your home. Some of the reasons that can cause your air conditioner to malfunction include:

How to Know If the AC Condenser Fan is Not Spinning

An outdoor air conditioner has two fans: one inside and the other outside the AC unit. The outside AC unit may not function effectively if one of the fans is compromised. You can identify if the blades in your AC unit are spinning by listening for a humming sound. Your AC condenser fan may not turn due to power issues, a burnt-out motor, a worn-out capacitor, or a faulty compressor contactor.

An AC Compressor Might Be Working, but The AC Fan Is Not Spinning

You may have a bad capacitor if you hear a hum when your unit is running but can’t see the fan moving. Each fan has a start capacitor that gives the fan blades enough energy to start turning, but because capacitors use a lot of high voltage, they sometimes need to be replaced. When an air conditioner compressor works but the air conditioner fan is not spinning means the motor and capacitor or one of them has malfunctioned. When a capacitor is not functioning correctly, it will not provide electricity to the fan motor. An incorrectly functioning capacitor causes the AC fan not to spin. The outdoor AC unit motor will not turn the blades, hindering the air movement in the house.

Letting the AC system run in that state can cause overheating, destroying the compressor. Ensure the AC system is turned off until an AC technician checks it. You should never try to check a capacitor yourself because it uses so much electricity and can harm you if you don’t know what you’re doing.

The AC Compressor and AC Fan May Not Be Working

If you can’t hear your AC unit running when you turn it on, you may have a bad compressor. The compressor supplies power to the fan and capacitor, so if there is no sound coming from the unit, it probably isn’t getting any power. You can check your breaker to make sure it hasn’t tripped, but if resetting the unit doesn’t fix the problem, you need to call a professional HVAC technician.

Compressors are designed to last for many years, but they may not have the same lifetime as your unit. You’ll likely have to replace your compressor once or twice before you have to upgrade to a new unit. Remember that a compressor is more likely to malfunction as it gets older, and poor maintenance is a major contributor to a broken compressor. you want to extend the lifetime of your compressor and reduce the risk of needing repairs, regular maintenance is important.

If possible, the expert technicians at Howard Air will repair your compressor to get our AC fan spinning again. If the component is beyond repair, we can replace it with a new compressor that will get our fans spinning again so that you can be comfortable inside your home.

Getting Your Outdoor AC Fan Fixed

Keeping your AC unit in good condition is important for maintaining a comfortable temperature inside your home. If your AC fan isn’t spinning, it’s important to take quick action so that you don’t get overheated at home. Trying to resolve the issue yourself is never a good idea if you don’t have HVAC experience. Howard Air is here to help residents of Phoenix, Arizona, with all of their air conditioning needs.

Our shop is located on North Cave Creek Road in the heart of Phoenix, so we can respond quickly when your AC fan stops spinning. Our expert technicians have the skills and tools necessary to repair or replace AC fans as necessary. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to have your AC fan looked at.

Image Source: Rana X / Shutterstock

Updated Sept 30th, 2024