If you find your Goodman air conditioner not turning on, there is a good chance the circuit breaker is tripped. It could also be a faulty component within the unit.
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Goodman Air Conditioner Not Turning On – Solutions
The following are possible solutions to the problem of a Goodman air conditioner not turning on:
1. Fix the Thermostat
There is a possibility that the thermostat in your home is not set correctly. Look at it to ensure it is set to Cool. Also, ensure you set it a few degrees lower than the current temperature inside your home. Then, give the air conditioner a few seconds to see if the compressor turns on.
It is pretty easy to wrongly adjust the thermostat, especially if you do not live alone. Everyone has different tolerance levels, and someone else may adjust the thermostat according to their needs. But if the thermostat is well adjusted and correctly set, try the next possible solution.
2. Turn On the Circuit Breaker
If the air conditioner is not turning on at all, even after adjusting the thermostat, check the breaker outside your house. It may have tripped, especially if there was a recent power outage or surge.
Start with the breaker panel. One of the breakers may be tripped, and if that is the case, turn it off and back on. That should get it up and running again.
Next, check the disconnect box next to the air conditioner’s outside unit. The box usually has fuses that may blow if the current is too high or for some other reason. If any of the fuses blow, the air conditioner will not turn on. Try checking for continuity if you suspect a blown fuse, and replace the damaged one.
You may have to consider resetting the air conditioner if these steps do not work. Some Goodman air conditioners have reset buttons while others do not. Locate the reset button on the unit and rest it. Otherwise, follow the steps in this article to reset it.
It is important to proceed with caution when handling the breaker panel and disconnect box. These powerhouses conduct live voltage and may have residual current even when they are off. Therefore, use protective gloves and ensure there is no pool of water under your feet. If you are not comfortable or confident handling them, hire a qualified electrician to do the job.
3. Check the Service Disconnect
Your outdoor condensing unit may have a service disconnect box close to it. If the disconnect is off, the condenser will not work. And if the condenser does not work, the entire unit will turn off. So, open the box if there is one and look to the left. If you see Off on one side of the switch, the disconnect needs to be on to work again.
Pull the plastic handle of the plug to remove it from the socket and turn it 180 degrees or upside down. You will see copper terminals that need to be touching the electrical circuits when you push the plug back in. When you do, you will not see Off again, but to the right, you will see On. That indicates the service disconnect is working again.
4. Use the Power Switch
The switch inside your house that powers the blower and furnace may be off. Because it usually looks light a regular light switch, you may have turned it off. Find the switch next to the furnace and turn it on to power the blower fan.
Otherwise, moisture in the warm air will condense inside the unit, freeze on the coils, and shut the system down, keeping the unit from turning on. You may want to mark the switch as that for the blower and furnace for future purposes.
5. Unclog the Drain Tube
The drain tube may be clogged, keeping water from flowing out. When the air conditioner blows, it creates condensation that needs to drain out of the unit. However, dirt and mold can build in the drain tube over time and slow the drainage of the condensate water. The water backs up into the unit and a safety switch shuts down the unit.
Until you unclog the drain tube, the air conditioner will remain off. Use a wet/dry vacuum to unclog the drain tube and clean the pan under the unit. You can also use suction to clear the tube. If your unit uses a drain pump, the pump may be faulty, causing the water not to drain. Hire a service agent to fix the pump if you have one and suspect it not working.
Goodman Air Conditioner Compressor Not Turning On – Quick Fix
If you find that the compressor in your Goodman air conditioner is not turning on, you may want to check the capacitor, thermostat, overload protector, temperature board, thermistor, or selector switch. If one or more of these components fail to work, the compressor will shut down, as this article explains in detail.
But also consider that the compressor itself may have become defective. A faulty compressor will not turn on, so you may want to test the motor with a multimeter or have a technician do the job for you.
Check out these other articles…
Goodman Air Conditioner Compressor [Problems & Solutions]
Goodman Air Conditioner Fan [Issues & Solutions]
Goodman Air Conditioner Freezing Up [How to Fix]
Goodman Air Conditioner Not Cooling [Proven Solution]
What Size Goodman AC Do I Need? [Detailed Answer]
How to Turn On a Goodman Air Conditioner
You can use the remote control of the air conditioning unit to turn it on. But before you do that, ensure the circuit breaker and disconnect are turned on.
Also, if your outside condenser unit has a service disconnect dedicated to it, you may want to check that it is on. However, reset the air conditioner if it does not turn on after using the remote control. That is if the remote has good batteries and is still in good working condition.
Why Your Air Conditioner Will Not Turn On
The following are possible reasons your air conditioner will not turn on:
1. Low Refrigerant Level
Your air conditioner needs a certain amount of refrigerant to operate as it should. If the amount drops below the recommended level, the air conditioner will stop cooling. Slowly, it will wind down and stop turning on.
Unfortunately, you may not be able to fix this problem yourself. You will need the help of an HVAC technician to check the level and add more refrigerant if necessary.
2. Faulty Thermostat
Check the batteries in the thermostat to be sure they are working. If the thermostat’s display is lit, it means the batteries are working. Next, set it about five degrees lower than the internal temperature of the house. If the compressor picks and the AC starts cooling, the thermostat is not the problem. But if nothing changes, you may want to replace the thermostat.
3. Defective Capacitor
Without fully functioning start and run capacitors, the air conditioning unit cannot work. Overheating, wear and tear, and power surges can destroy the capacitor, so you may want to test it to ensure it is working. Replace the capacitor if you test it with a multimeter and find no continuity.
4. Dirty Condenser
When the condenser is dirty, it will trap heat in the system and cause overheating. Heat can cause the unit to stop turning on, so check the outside unit for leaves, dust, and other debris that may be clogging the fins.
Also, the dirt can cause the condenser to work harder and use more energy than usual to work. That may blow the fuses and trip the circuit breaker, turning the air conditioner off. Keep an eye on the condenser and clean it as regularly as possible. It may be best to use professional help to clean it so that you do not damage the fins.
5. Dusty Air Filter
Like the condenser, a dusty air filter will plug the airflow and cause the unit to work extra hard to spread cold air. As a result, the unit wears out and stops working. Clean the air filter as quickly as possible if you have been using it for a long time. Better still, replace the filter if it has been in use for older than three months. Always check the filter, especially if you live in a dusty area.
6. Turned-off Power Switch
The unit’s power switch may be turned off. As simple as this may sound, someone may have accidentally turned it off. Check to see if the switch is on and turn it on if it is not. Then, check the air conditioner for functionality.
7. Tripped Breaker
The circuit breaker ensures there is not too much voltage going to the appliances in a house. If there is a high voltage, the breaker turns off the power. Check the breaker that controls the air conditioner to see if it is tripped. Turn it off and on to get it up and running. Leave the breaker off if it keeps tripping because it may be a sign of high voltage.
8. Obstructed Drain Tube
The drain tube may be clogged, keeping water from flowing out. When the air conditioner blows, it creates condensation that needs to drain out of the unit. However, dirt and mold can build in the drain tube over time and slow the drainage of the condensate water. The water backs up into the unit and a safety switch shuts down the unit.
Wet/dry vacuums work at fixing this problem by suctioning the dirt out of the tube. This allows water to flow out and the float switch can turn back on. That way, the air conditioner can turn on and begin running.
9. Failed Compressor
Once the compressor stops working, the air conditioner can no longer turn on. Age or an internal fault can cause the compressor to fail, so it is ideal to have a professional test its functionality. The professional will help you decide whether or not you should replace the compressor or invest in a new air conditioner.
10. Worn-out Air Conditioner
Is it possible that that air conditioner is tired? The unit may work only intermittently or not at all if it is old. When your air conditioner stops blowing enough cold air, requires more service than usual, leaks excessively, runs sluggishly but constantly, smells bad, or becomes too noisy, it may be time to replace it. Consider replacing it.
It can be a long list of possible reasons your air conditioner is not turning on. But fortunately, there are ways to fix the issues in a permanent manner. Regular maintenance will help, and you may want to use a professional to fix the air conditioner issues.
Recap
When an air conditioner does not turn on, it may be time to replace it. But before doing that, it is crucial to ensure none of its components is faulty. Check the compressor, capacitor, drain tube, air filter, power switch, circuit breaker, refrigerant level, condenser, thermostat, and air conditioner itself.
You will also learn how to fix the problem of a Goodman air conditioner not turning on, and how to fix the compressor if it stops working. It may be best to hire a professional HVAC technician to check the air conditioner and fix it, especially when it concerns a refrigerant leak.
