Portable Air Conditioner Exhaust Fan Not Working – Easy Fix

Is your portable air conditioner exhaust fan not working? And you can’t tell why. Well, this problem is something that can be fixed, and this guide will show you how to fix it.

Portable Air Conditioner Exhaust Fan Not Working might be because of a clogged air filter. The air filter in your system collects dust, debris, and other airborne contaminants to keep the interior air and internal cooling system components clean.

6 Reasons Your Portable Air Conditioner Exhaust Fan Not Working

Here are some reasons your portable air conditioner exhaust fan not working; 

1. The Circuit Breaker Has Been Tripped 

The circuit breaker should be checked first if the portable air conditioner exhaust fan not working. Check to see if the circuit breaker for the air conditioning equipment has tripped. Due to the heat from the motor and the weather, a circuit breaker may trip from overheating. If so, try flipping the switch at the electrical panel to see if it fixes the issue. Check to make sure it hasn’t been switched off as well. Some AC units may have a shutoff on the side of the unit.

2. The Capacitor Might Be Defective 

A capacitor is a tiny, cylinder-shaped part that stores energy and drives the fans in an air conditioner. There are multiple capacitors in an AC unit, including a start capacitor and a run capacitor that keep the motor going. 

Numerous factors can cause your capacitor to malfunction unexpectedly. You shouldn’t run your system if this component malfunctions until you’ve fixed it. The fans may stop working if a capacitor is weak and old. Delaying replacement could result in the motor burning out and costlier repairs.

This is so that the fan can keep your compressor cool. Without it, your system might quickly overheat and suffer irreparable damage. You can also look at some visual cues to see whether your capacitor has an issue. These consist of:

  • Capacitor with cracks
  • The capacitor and circuit 
  • The board is oozing and bulging liquid.
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3. There May Be Debris Near Your Blades

If debris is close to your fan blades, that should be one of your first checks. It’s conceivable that something became lodged there and is impeding their motion. One possibility is that a branch from a nearby tree got caught in your blades. 

Therefore, before checking for this, be sure to turn off the power to your system. If not, the fan might start up after removing the obstruction and hurting your hand. The top of the air conditioner cabinet can be removed once the power has been turned off. Then, remove any objects you see with your hand or a long stick.

4. The Air Filter Might Be Clogged

A clogged air filter is another reason your portable air conditioner exhaust fan not working. It’s time for a replacement if you can’t recall the last time you changed the unit’s filter. Homeowners can take on this solution with ease. Dirt, dust, fur, pollen, and other particles can block air filters. Ice buildup may result from reduced airflow caused by a clogged or blocked air filter. The evaporator coil may freeze if there is ice around it, and the fan may cease operating. Sometimes changing the air filter will solve the issue, but it is advised to consult a professional if the coil is frozen.

5. A Burned-Out Motor 

Your air conditioner’s motor gradually burns out due to ordinary wear and strain over time. Your air conditioner’s fan will stop working when this occurs. You can ask for assistance from a qualified specialist or spend money on a new system. It could be time to start looking for a new air conditioner if your system is an older model.

Most AC fan motors survive 10 to 17 years on average. However, by doing routine maintenance, you can lower the likelihood that your air conditioner fan will malfunction and stop working. This entails using a soft brush to clean the coils inside of the filter and changing the filter at least once every two to three months.

6. Contactor Problems

An AC contactor is a small device that controls the flow of electricity throughout your AC. When you set the temperature on your thermostat, these small parts are responsible for conducting and restricting the electrical currents that tell your air conditioner whether or not it should operate.

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Contactors often burn out due to normal wear and tear or if your system overheats. When a contactor burns out, the electrical flow of your system is inhibited, and the adjacent AC components will not receive electricity, causing them not to function.

Contactors can also become stuck in an “up” or “down” position. The electrical flow is blocked between components when stuck in the “up” position. In contrast, contractors stuck in the “down” position will continue running electricity to their components even when the cooling cycle is supposed to end.

If your portable air conditioner exhaust fan not working, it may be because the contactors controlling electricity to your AC fan are stuck in the “up” position or are burnt out. Proper maintenance is essential to keep your contactors in healthy working condition, but sometimes repair might be necessary.

A little mechanism called an AC contactor regulates the flow of power through your air conditioner. These tiny components are in charge of conducting and limiting the electrical currents that instruct your air conditioner whether or not to run when you adjust the temperature on your thermostat.

Contactors frequently burn out due to regular wear and tear or if your system becomes too hot. When a contractor burns out, your system’s electrical flow is impeded, and the nearby AC components won’t get power, which prevents them from working.

Why Won’t My Portable Air Conditioner Start

Did you try to start your portable AC, but it wouldn’t turn on? There are several potential causes for this. Lack of power is the most frequent reason a portable air conditioner won’t turn on. Ensure to check;

  • That the outlet has electricity if it is plugged in but won’t start.
  • To check if your power outlet has voltage, use a voltage detector.
  • The circuit breakers should also be examined. 
  • Check to see if the circuit breakers are turned on and not trip
  • Verify the built-in circuit breaker for your air conditioner.
  • In your electrical panel, check the circuit breakers.
  • Your AC fan may be experiencing another problem if one of the circuit breakers trips.

Try to reset the circuit breaker, then restart your air conditioner. Try to identify any noisy parts by listening to your air conditioner as it starts. A circuit breaker will frequently trip due to a broken part in your air conditioner.

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Removing moisture from the air is an additional function of air conditioners. Water evaporates from the air as it cools because cool air can’t hold as much moisture as warm air.

As the air in your portable AC is cooled, water condensate gathers in a tank. Condensate can be drained directly from some portable air conditioners via a hose. You should ensure the condensate pipe is clean and draining effectively in this situation.

Since the condensate frequently evaporates back into your room when your AC operates, this usually is not a problem. Condensate will, however, build up inside the tank, especially on hot, humid days. You must turn off and unplug the AC to empty the condensate tank. Place it next on a raised surface, like a stool.

A drain spout should hang over the edge of the surface. Underneath the spout, put a plastic container. Make sure the container is big enough to hold all the water that leaks from your AC tank. Make sure your container can hold more water than the typical 1 liter capacity of condensate tanks found in portable air conditioners.

Finally, let the water drain out by opening the spout’s cap. Replace the cap and place the AC back where it was when all the water was drained. Some portable air conditioners have a bucket you can remove and empty into your sink. In that case, you don’t need to raise your portable AC; instead, you need to take the bucket out and throw the water in the trash.

Why Is My Portable Ac Not Blowing Out Of The Vents?

If no air is coming from your house’s vents, a blockage is most likely the cause. You might be accidentally restricting your air vents; a piece of furniture could be impeding the airflow, or you could have closed some vents on a cold day and forgotten to reopen them.

How Do I Know If My Ac Vent Is Clogged?

A temperature difference is the most noticeable sign of blocked air ducts in your house. This is most likely to happen if you set your whole-home thermostat to the desired temperature and then find that one area is warmer or cooler than the others.

Conclusion On Portable Air Conditioner Exhaust Fan Not Working

The condenser unit of your air conditioner employs a fan to circulate air across its coils, which allows it to convert warm refrigerant gas into a cool liquid, which it then uses to provide cool air for your home. Your air conditioning system won’t be able to chill your home until the fan is fixed if it has stopped functioning. Now you can easily detect and fix the problem with your portable air conditioner exhaust fan not working with this guide.