How do you reset an AC compressor?

How do you reset an AC compressor?

If you’ve ever asked an IT professional why your computer isn’t working, they may have responded with a question: “Have you tried restarting it?”

Like many appliances around your house, air conditioners are getting smarter and sometimes require a good old-fashioned reset. Even older models that suddenly stop working can benefit from a reset, especially after a power outage.

Why Do I Need to Reset My Air Conditioner?

The most common reason for an AC unit requiring a reset is when the protection circuit breaker in your AC unit kicks in. This typically happens after a power outage and is in place to prevent fires and explosions.

A reset can also correct an AC that’s only blowing warm air, even when the thermostat is set to “cool.” There are a handful of reasons your AC could be blowing warm air, but one of them is a general thermostat error. Sometimes a hard reset of your AC can solve that problem.

While resetting an air conditioner is an easy task, if you are uncertain or uncomfortable, please contact an HVAC professional to assist by requesting an appointment with One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning. As a final precautionary note, accessing your resent button may require you to open your condensing unit plan and with certain units, this could impact your warranty. Please check your warranty guidelines before attempting to reset your air conditioner. If you are familiar with your AC unit, and comfortable moving forward, follow the simple instructions below. 

  1. Power down your AC. Start at your circuit breaker panel and flip the breaker that powers your AC. Also, flip the power switch your AC unit is connected to outside to the off position.
  2. Find the button. Most air conditioning units are equipped with a reset button. These buttons tend to be red and quite small. If you’re having a tough time finding it, consult your owner’s manual. (If you can’t find it, most are published online for quick reference).
  3. Hold down the reset button for 3 to 5 seconds and then release.
  4. Restore power to your AC. Flip all switches, including the one in your breaker panel to the on position.

You’ve successfully completed a reset! Next, go to your thermostat and make sure it’s set to “cool” and a temperature that’s lower than the current temperature inside your home. After a few seconds, your air conditioner should start up.

Place your hand by the vents to confirm that cold air is blowing through your ductwork.

How to Reset a Window Air Conditioner

Since most window air conditioners do not have a reset button, you’ll need to unplug it for a few minutes to dissipate the charge.

After plugging it back in and turning the circuit back on, the window AC unit should reset and be operational again.

AC Reset Button Not Working? Call One Hour

When the reset doesn’t seem to be working, it’s time to contact the HVAC professionals at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning.





How do you reset an AC compressor?

Perhaps the worst thing that can happen on a hot summer day is for your air conditioner to quit – especially if you’re not financially prepared to pay for repairs. Yet, you can take steps to reset your central air conditioning unit prior to calling a technician to help.

If a reset doesn’t get your AC back on track, Ambient Edge is here to help. We will come to your home or business at any time to offer emergency help with your HVAC needs. And for non-emergency situations, we also offer flexible hours to make our service calls more convenient for you.

What Happens When You Reset Your Air Conditioner?

Maybe your AC sounds like it’s running, but the air is not cool. Or the blower won’t start up no matter how low you set your thermostat. In either case, a reset can sometimes get a malfunctioning AC to work correctly again.

Like restarting your computer when there’s a problem, sometimes the electrical components of your HVAC need a reboot. For example, an air conditioner reset involves cutting power to the condenser unit and thermostat and then turning the power back on.

In many cases, your air conditioner will begin to function normally again when starting back up after a reset.

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Where Is the Reset Button on My Air Conditioner?

If your AC unit has a reset button on the condenser unit, you simply press it and hope that the problem resolves. Look for it first around on the exterior of your machine, especially along the bottom edge near the ground. An AC’s reset button is typically red and visible, so it should be easy to spot. 

If you don’t see a reset button on the outside, it could be located inside the unit behind the service panel. Before poking around inside the machinery, be sure to cut power to the system by flipping off your circuit breaker.

If You Don’t Have a Reset Button on Your Outdoor Unit

If your AC unit does not have a reset button, follow these steps to reset it manually:

  1. Shut off the power to the condenser, which is typically located in a shutoff panel next to the unit.
  2. Once you’ve completed this task, shut off the breaker in your circuit breaker box, this will kill the power to the unit.
  3. Unplug the unit from the power supply board and disconnect the system. This ensures that the AC unit is receiving no power whatsoever.
  4. Wait 30 minutes, then plug the unit back in.
  5. Make sure your thermostat is set to “cool.” Then, in order, switch the breaker back on, then the external power supply.

If the unit still isn’t working as it should, you may have an issue with your power supply, or your filter may be dirty. But, again, our technicians can check it out for you and resolve the problem at its source.

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What to Do After a Power Outage

Even a gas-powered air conditioner needs electricity to run its thermostat and move the cool air, so your AC unit will not work amid a current outage. If it still doesn’t work after power is restored, try following these steps and see if it does the trick:

  1. Power off your air conditioner at your thermostat.
  2. Reset the AC breaker in your breaker box.
  3. Wait 30 minutes, then turn the thermostat for your air conditioner back to “cool.” It should be at least five degrees cooler than room temperature.

If you find this process too challenging, or if it doesn’t work, give our technicians at Ambient Edge a call. This may be an electrical issue, which you should not handle yourself if you are not experienced with electricity.

Got HVAC or AC Problems? Call 888-628-5890 or Schedule Service Online!

When Do I Need Emergency Air Conditioning Services?

There are some situations that you should not attempt to fix yourself. In these cases, you should call a professional immediately because something else is going on. For example, a breaker that is continually tripping is a sign that your system needs immediate attention. 

This may have resulted from a loose connection or an exposed wire, and if you try to reset the unit yourself, you might create a fire hazard instead! You should also never attempt electrical work if the breaker panel cover is missing or if there are exposed wires. You could be risking electrocution, so let the professionals handle this one.

There is probably something wrong if you need to reset your unit often, and you can do more damage to the system with the constant resets. With our same-day 24/7 emergency services, one of our technicians can be there within hours to get to the root of the problem. 

How Can Preventive Maintenance Help Avoid AC Issues?

Preventive maintenance gives your HVAC system a tune-up before there is a problem. If we check on your system regularly, we can catch minor issues before they become more significant. For example, this means your air conditioner will be less likely to break down, and you may never need to reset it.

Routine preventative maintenance can prolong the life of your system and save you money in the long run. You’ll have fewer big-ticket repairs, and the increased efficiency of a smooth-running system means lower monthly utility bills, too!

Does Your Air Conditioning Unit Need TLC? AE Can Help!

Whether your AC unit needs a replacement or repair, Ambient Edge is well qualified to perform either service. We will work with you on the best possible system to meet the needs of both your house and your budget.

Fill out our contact form or give us a call to schedule a service appointment. We’ll arrive at your house equipped with the parts and tools we need to hopefully fix your system in one visit. So, get in touch today so that we can get you back up and running as soon as possible!

Where is the reset button on a AC compressor?

Look for it first around on the exterior of your machine, especially along the bottom edge near the ground. An AC's reset button is typically red and visible, so it should be easy to spot. If you don't see a reset button on the outside, it could be located inside the unit behind the service panel.

How long does it take an AC compressor to reset?

After waiting for 1 minute, the AC unit will reset on its own. Go to your thermostat and carefully turn the device back on. Be sure to set the device to your desired temperature and wait for the unit to cool the air to confirm it's working well.

What causes an AC unit compressor to stop working?

Top Reasons Your AC Compressor Stopped Working Dirty condenser coils. Blocked suction lines. Low refrigerant charge. Incorrect suction line size.

How long does it take for compressor overload to reset?

(If power is available at the compressor terminals, and no amp draw is shown, the internal overload may be open due to overheat, the unit must be cooled for the overload to reset.) This may take up to 24 hours.