Have you ever come back home after sweating profusely during a sweltering day, and all you wanted to do was cool yourself down in your air-conditioned room? So, you turn it on and wait for the cool air to hit you. However, the moment you turn it on, you are met with a blinking light instead of the refreshing breeze that you might expect. We've researched what that blinking light means so that we can help you troubleshoot and have the AC up and running again in no time!
When met with this problem, your air conditioner is trying to tell you that it's experiencing mechanical symptoms that need to be addressed immediately. However, don't fret, as this occurrence is a lot more common than you think, especially in places where it is known to be hot and humid or in places where dust and dirt can easily get into its components.
So when you see your air conditioner light blinking rapidly, some of the more common reasons are poor air circulation, refrigerant leak, clogged air filters, frozen evaporator coils, poor maintenance, incorrect installation, and electrical fault.
Please keep reading to learn the reasons why an AC unit might blink. We'll discuss the troubleshooting you'll need to have the air conditioner up and running in no time!
Reasons for Blinking Air Conditioner
One of the more common reasons for the air conditioner's blinking light is due to poor air circulation, which you may experience as the aircon being unable to blow out cool air and will eventually shut down on its own. The main reason why this happens is that the aircon may not be installed correctly or there was a problem with its drive motor.
Usually, an error code would be displayed on the unit itself, which you can then check in the manual provided to you when you first bought it.
Another common reason why your aircon light keeps blinking is because of clogged air filters. A product of poor maintenance, if your aircon is not maintained regularly, dust and dirt will start to accumulate inside the filters, causing an airflow blockage and leading to a variety of issues like foul odors and the inability to keep the room cold.
Frozen evaporator coils are also another common issue when your aircon is not maintained regularly. This can cause water and to an extent, coolant, to leak out and form an icy residue inside of the machine. Normally, briefly switching your aircon off will usually solve this issue. But if it persists, please contact an aircon servicing company to have a look at the problem.
Flashing green light on AC unit
Nowadays, modern air conditioning units have safety functions installed in them that would help warn you that your unit needs to be repaired or would automatically shut down to prevent further damage to itself. It's also the reason why most modern aircon units are more sensitive than their older counterparts.
Typically, when your aircon begins flashing a green light repeatedly, it means that it went into a self-protection shutdown mode. What this means is that your aircon system has detected an overvoltage, and as result, it automatically turned itself off to prevent any damage from happening to its system.
Red light blinking on AC unit
Do not panic and stay calm if you see your aircon unit showing a blinking red light. This doesn't mean that your aircon is experiencing a major problem as the most common reason is that your condenser unit, or what some people refer to as the outdoor aircon unit, has just shut off while your indoor unit is still running.
Normally, this means that a circuit breaker has tripped, which could easily be fixed by turning it back on. Or it could be that a fuse has blown. In that case, all you need to do is contact a professional to have the blown fuse replaced.
However, in cases where none of those mentioned above is the problem, it's best to contact and bring an expert to have a look at your unit. Normally, these machines have a coded system that tells you exactly what the problem is.
How do you fix a blinking AC light?
As stated earlier, it's best to keep your aircon unit cleaned and regularly maintained for a blinking light to not appear. However, if it's already there, the first thing that you can do is check the manual of your aircon unit as it would normally provide you with all the answers to any questions that you might have.
However, if you cannot find the manual anymore, do not fret. A blinking light normally means it is due for a regular cleaning or there is something wrong with the machine itself. The first thing you can do is switch off the circuit breaker for about five minutes and inspect for any loose connections or problems inside like, ice residue being formed.
If everything checks out, you can simply turn the circuit breaker on once more and it should continue to operate normally. However, if the problem persists, it's best to call in a technician to have a look at your aircon unit. After all, if you try to interfere any further with the machine at that point, further damage may be done to the wires and components inside, which could lead to serious complications.
The same could be said by ignoring it and not calling an expert to have a look. Remember, never attempt to repair or fix an air conditioner if you do not have the proper tools or knowledge as this may lead to further problems down the line. A professional technician will let you know what exactly to do in this situation and will advise you on what to do in order to avoid this problem in the future.
How do you reset an AC unit?
Whether one part of the aircon is not working properly or if the entire machine is simply not functioning, turning it on and off is a method that almost everyone recommends. Remember that not all aircon issues can be simply resolved with a quick reset. If the issue persists, please call a professional.
- First, make sure to turn the thermostat off before shutting down the aircon unit.
- Next, pay a visit to the circuit breaker box, and there, look for the breaker that is connected to the aircon unit. In some cases, circuit breakers can be found just nearby the unit.
- Once everything has been turned off, wait for at least a minute.
- Turn everything back on and slowly ease the aircon unit back to the desired temperature. Wait and check if everything is running normally.
Conclusion
Never forget to give your aircon unit regular maintenance in order to avoid any problems from in the future. In case of a blinking light, remember to always be calm and shut your aircon down before carefully checking it to find the cause. If you are unable to, call for professional help immediately and refrain from doing any work that may be outside your expertise.
Remember, saving a few pennies now doesn't guarantee that you'll save a few dollars in the future.
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