Do you have the problem of an LG air conditioner not blowing? It may mean a component is no longer working or there is a restriction on the airflow. Fixing it is a priority.
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LG Portable Air Conditioner Not Blowing Cold Air – Solved
There are a few reasons your LG portable air conditioner is not blowing cold air. The following are ways to fix them:
1. Create Space Around the Unit
One of the primary reasons your air conditioner is not blowing cold air is that it is sitting too close to the surrounding walls. Ensure you place the air conditioner in such a way that there is at least twenty inches of space around it. That way, air can flow and cool the compressor and coils. You may also want to move the unit as much to the middle of the room as possible. You will feel ts cool air better that way.
2. Check for Open Windows
When the windows are not fully closed and sealed, the warm air from outside will enter the room. And when it enters, it will reduce the cool air from the portable air conditioner. The same applies to open doors and other openings. Close the windows and doors as tightly as possible while the unit is running to prevent hot or warm air from entering the room and compromising the cool air.
3. Clean the Air Filters
A portable air conditioner usually has two air filters, one at the bottom and the other at the top. So, pull the grip and remove the filter from the unit. Do the same for the second filter. Place them in the sink and wash them using mild soap and warm water. In some cases, you will not need to wash them; a small brush or vacuum with a brush attachment will do the job.
After washing them, dry them with a lint-free cloth and leave them out to air-dry. It is crucial that you do not put a wet or damp filter in an air conditioner. You will cause issues with the unit if you do. Afterward, put the filters back into place; ensure you fix the bottom filter between the coil guard and tabs.
A few things restrict airflow in an air conditioner like dirty air filters. Apart from restricting the flow of air, a dirty filter can also cause problems with the evaporator coil and drain line. Therefore, it is important to always clean the filters. However, never wash an air conditioner filter in a dishwasher or use a harsh cleaning agen to wash it. The same applies to using hot water. You will only end up damaging the filter.
4. Empty the Tank
A portable air conditioner has a tank that collects condensate while it is running. If the tank fills up, it may reduce the cooling capacity of the unit. The tank tends to fill up quickly when the air is humid. While it is true that the unit recycles the water, the frequency of use and speed at which the tank fills may be too much for recycling. Therefore, it is sometimes necessary to manually empty the tank.
FL will show on the air conditioner’s display to let you know the tank is full and needs emptying. To empty the tank, press the Power button on the unit to turn it off. Disconnect its power cord from the wall receptacle and pull out the vent hose.
You will find the drain port at the back of the unit, close to the base. Lift the unit and place it on a stable and flat surface and put a container under the port. Open the drain port so that the water in the tank will drain into the container. Afterward, dry the drain port, replace the cover and lower the unit to the floor.
But you can also set the unit close to a floor drain if you have one close to it. And if you can carry the portable unit outside the house, it may be the best step. Open the port to drain the water straight into the floor drain or ground outside the house. When all the water drains, ensure you properly fix the drain plug; water will leak from the drain if the plug is loose or not properly fixed.
To finish up, fix the vent hose back into its place and adjust it until it is in the shape of an upside-down U. That shape keeps rainwater from entering the air conditioning unit and pooling there. Reconnect the power cord to the wall receptacle and press the Power button to turn on the unit. It should begin cooling in no time if the full collection tank was the source of the problem.
5. Inspect the Vents
The vents may be closed or dirty, keeping the air conditioner from blowing cold air. Therefore, inspect the vents to check whether or not you need to fully open them. If they are open but there is not much improvement in the release of cold air, the vents may be dirty. Clean them to improve the airflow. The vent hose must also be correctly installed for the proper flow of cool air.
6. Check the Refrigerant
Low refrigerant can reduce the amount of cool air from the air conditioner. So, if none of the above seems to fix the problem, consider checking the refrigerant level. LG portable air conditioners have a sensor that turns the units off when the refrigerant level drops. Hire a qualified HVAC technician to check the gas and recharge it if necessary.
7. Adjust the Mode
Ensure the air conditioner is in a Cool mode of operation. Sometimes, the Mode setting is wrong, interfering with the cooling capacity of the unit, even when the temperature is correct. Besides, you can check the room temperature and set the temperature a few degrees lower than that if you want cold air from the unit.
8. Check the Size
The portable air conditioner may not have the capacity to cool the room adequately. As a result, it will appear not to be blowing cold air even when it is running at full capacity. The same applies if the unit is too big for the space.
It is important to know how many British Thermal Units (BTUs) are enough for each square foot. For example, a 250 square foot space needs an air conditioning unit of 8,000 BTUs. Suppose the room with the air conditioner is bigger than 250 square feet but your portable unit’s size is 8,000 BTUs? It will appear as if the unit is not blowing cold air.
On the other hand, if the unit’s size is about 14,000 BTUs and your space is around 400 square feet, the unit has the capacity to cool the room quickly. And when it reaches the set temperature, it will shut off. If you notice the air conditioner shuts off too frequently, it may be that it is bigger than the space.
Therefore, know the size of the room that needs cooling and the corresponding portable AC size. Using the right size may fix the cooling problem.
9. Examine the Compressor
The compressor may be dirty or faulty. Press the power button to turn the unit off and disconnect it from electric power. Wait about three minutes before reconnecting it to electric power and pressing the power button to turn it on again. Set it to Cool and adjust the temperature to the lowest point. Then, set the fan to the highest speed.
The compressor and fan should start running because the temperature setting activates the cooling system. A low hum is a sign it is working. But if you do not hear the compressor, whether or not the fan is running, contact LG Support or hire an independent technician to fix the problem.
Finally, you may have to troubleshoot other internal components if none of the above works. There may be a faulty one; find, fix or replace them if necessary.
LG Air Conditioner Not Blowing Air – What to Do
If you find that your LG air conditioner is not blowing air at all, first, check to see if it has power. The LED or power button should be illuminated. Use the remote to turn it off and back on; a beep will let you know whether or not it is receiving power.
If the unit is not receiving power, check the isolated circuit breaker for the unit. Flip the switch off and on to see if the condensing unit starts working and the indoor unit starts blowing air. If the breaker is not the problem, check the wall outlet and power cord; one or both may be damaged. In such a situation, replace the cord, the outlet, or both.
But if these do not apply, the problem may stem from a faulty internal component. You will need the services of a certified technician to check possible parts and replace the faulty ones. Otherwise, you may have to replace the entire air conditioning unit.
When the Unit Is Receiving Power
However, if the air conditioner is receiving electrical power but does not blow air at all, check the fan. It may be damaged at the blades or motor. Disconnect the unit from electric power and locate the fan. Check the blades and motor for dirt and obstruction. Clean them if necessary and test the motor with a multimeter to check for continuity. Replace the motor if there is no continuity.
The control board may also be faulty, causing a lack of air. So, check the board for signs of damage such as burns or arcing. Replace the board if necessary. It is ideal to hire a professional technician to test the fan and control board if you suspect they are keeping the air conditioner from blowing air. That way, you will know if there are other likely components that cause the same problem.
Check out these other articles…
How to Reset an LG Air Conditioner [Quick Guide]
LG Air Conditioner Modes [Guide, Issues & Solutions]
LG Air Conditioner Not Turning On/Not Turning Off [How to Fix]
LG Air Conditioner Turns On and Off By Itself [Problems Solved]
LG Air Conditioner Blinking/Flashing [Quick Fix]
LG Air Conditioner Cool vs Dry [Questions Answered]
How to Use an LG Portable Air Conditioner as a Dehumidifier [Detailed Guide]
LG Air Conditioner Not Blowing Cold Air – Quick Fix
Do the following to fix an LG air conditioner that is not blowing cold air:
1. Clean the Condenser
When the condenser is significantly dirty, it cannot release hot air from the unit into the atmosphere. The heat stores and reduces the unit’s capacity to cool. So, check the outside condensing unit and thoroughly clean it with a vacuum if it is dirty. If necessary, use a garden hose to spray the fins of dry-cleaning does remove all the dust. Be careful around the fins because they easily get damaged.
The recommendation is to clean the condensing unit every month. Doing that keeps it in top shape to dispense heat from the unit. Otherwise, the compressor and other vital components will overheat and shut the air conditioner down. If you are unsure about cleaning it yourself, let a qualified technician do the job.
2. Check the Air Filter
Turn off the air conditioner and open the front grille or panel. For some units, you will need to remove some screws before opening the panel. Inspect the filter to see how dirty it is; if you have been frequently using the unit and have never cleaned the filter, now is the time to do so.
Warm water and mild dishwashing soap will do the job. Do not put the filter in your dishwasher or use a concentrated agent to clean it. After washing with soap and water, remove excess moisture with a cloth and allow the filter to air-dry. Then, fix it back into the unit and turn it on again.
Your LG air conditioner cannot blow cold air if the filter is dirty. The evaporator will also accumulate frost due to the dirty filter. Typically, you should clean the filter every two weeks unless you have the ionized type, which means you clean it every six months, or you live in an area with particularly clean air.
3. Check the Thermostat
Ensure the air conditioner is on and set it to Cool. Next, go to the thermostat and using a multimeter, test it to check for continuity. If you find no continuity while the unit’s setting is Cool, the thermostat may be faulty. Consider buying a replacement.
The job of the thermostat is to monitor the air temperature. When it exceeds a preset point, the thermostat provides power to a switch so that it can run the cooling system. But if the thermostat becomes faulty, the air conditioner may not blow cold air when it should because the cooling system will not turn on.
4. Check the Compressor
The compressor may be faulty, although that is hardly ever the case. First, check the run capacitor that powers the compressor; it is more likely to fail. If it is leaking fluid or bulging, it is time to replace it. Otherwise, the compressor will not work. Also, check the overload protector while at it to ensure it is in good working condition.
Test the motor to see whether or not it is overheating or malfunctioning if the capacitor and overload protector is not the problem. Use a multimeter to ensure there is continuity; otherwise, the compressor may have an open circuit or loose connections. You may need the services of a technician to check the compressor correctly and let you know if you need a new one or another air conditioning system.
5. Check the Boards
While it is easy to misdiagnose a control board, such as the temperature control board or main control board, they can still keep the air conditioner from blowing cold air if they malfunction. Power fluctuations, voltage spikes, and a few other things lead to the damage of the boards. So, inspect the boards and if they are damaged, consider replacing them if no other component is faulty.
The thermistor and temperature control thermostat may also cause the unit to stop blowing cold air. Consider testing them with a multimeter to check for continuity and replacing any faulty ones if nothing else seems to work.
Note: These steps apply to all types of LG air conditioners. But contact LG Support Center if you have a split, multi-split, or ductless type of air conditioner.
LG Air Conditioner Not Blowing Warm Air – Solution
Check the unit’s specification sheet to find its BTU rating of the heat capacity. In some air conditioning units with a heater, the heating capacity is small, meant only to be supplemental and not the main heat source.
The capacity rating is small, it will explain why the air conditioner is not blowing warm air. This is especially true if the outside temperature is pretty low. But test the AC’s heater by putting a piece of paper in front of the grille for air intake while the AC is set to Heat operation mode. If the paper gets sucked towards the intake grille, go to the air vent and place your hand there to check whether or not the air is warming up.
If the air from the air conditioner is warm and slowly getting warmer, you know the heating element is working. But if it does not heat, the problem may be the outside temperature being too cold for the heat capacity or the heater is faulty. Contact LG for service.
Recap
An LG air conditioner not blowing air or cold air needs immediate attention. One or more components, such as the filter, condenser coil, and even compressor may be faulty. Fortunately, this article explains how each faulty component affects the air conditioning unit and how to fix them.
Remember that regular maintenance enables you to see and fix errors and faulty parts before they become more serious. Therefore, have a trusted technician check the unit as regularly as possible or contact LG for service and further assistance.