Why is my GE portable air conditioner not cooling?

A portable AC unit can fail to properly cool off your space if it is not powerful enough, the room is not properly sealed, or the unit is dirty.

Unfortunately, units love to act up on the hottest days of the year. At least troubleshooting common portable air conditioner issues might be less of a hassle than you think. If you rent or buy your spot cooler through us, we are happy to help troubleshoot and fix the issue.

Some Of The Most Common Portable Spot Cooler Issues Include

The Unit Is Too Small For Your Space

The size of a portable air conditioner is important in order for it to sufficiently cool off a space. By size we don’t mean the actual physical dimensions of the unit, but instead its cooling power potential.

Portable AC units are measured in terms of BTU ratings, and the BTU rating needs to align with the size of the room you are trying to cool. If a unit has too many BTUs for a space, it will create an issue where the unit cycles off too rapidly. On the other hand, a unit lacking sufficient BTUs doesn’t have the power necessary to impact the ambient temperature. If your room falls between different ideal BTU ratings, go with the higher option. 

The first step is to measure the length and width of the room in question. Use these numbers to calculate the area of the space, and from there match the size of the room with the appropriate unit. In same cases, same-sized rooms require different BTUs because of what the room is used for. For instance, a server room gets very hot because it constantly produces its own heat source. As a result, it requires more energy to keep temperatures cool, especially if there are a lot of servers or computers packed into one room.   

The Room Is Not Properly Sealed

If the ambient temperature is too high you might find it difficult to sufficiently cool the room. When a portable unit releases cool air into the room, it vents hot air from the compressor outside. As a result of constant venting, a pressure imbalance is created in which warm air is pulled from other areas, such as outside or adjoining rooms.

If the space is properly ventilated and sealed, doors are closed and windows are closed, it shouldn’t overwhelm the AC to the point it stops working. If there’s a leak or ambient temperatures are alarmingly high, your unit might not be able to combat these factors to cool off the room. Sunlight coming through windows can greatly increase temperatures as well; try closing windows and blinds to limit heat. Check for leaks, cracks or faulty windows or doors to see if any of these things could be creating an issue.

Your Unit Is Dirty

Portable AC units require regular cleaning to prevent a build up of dust and dirt. A dirty unit no longer functions properly until it is cleaned. Even the smallest particles can bind together and create a damaging layer on your unit’s motor, causing the entire system to clog up. As a result, you could be faced with mechanical and electrical problems. Keep up with regular cleaning and maintenance to prevent these issues from arising.

The filters on your unit may also be dirty and in need of replacement. Regularly cleaning out filters can help extend how long they last before they need to be replaced. When cleaning filters, refrain from using detergents or soaps, as they create a residue that can clog the system.

Your unit’s pre-filter is another important area you shouldn’t neglect to clean. If the pre-filter accumulates layers of dust and dirt it’ll mix with moisture and form a layer of dirt on the evaporator coil. If this build up continues to grow it’ll eventually cause the entire unit to overheat.

Tip: By keeping the outside of the unit clean, the inside of the unit stays cleaner as well.

The Room Is Very Humid

If your portable AC unit is in a humid location, or you live in a humid environment, you’ll need to empty out the unit more frequently to compensate for additional moisture absorption. Installing a drain tube can help prevent this problem, providing a bucket for excess liquid to travel. This bucket can be easily dumped as needed.

Your Unit Needs To Be Replaced

If your unit is old and outdated or broken beyond repair, Cooling Power can hook you up with one of our state-of-the-art portable spot coolers. We have units for rent and sale, as well as air-cooled or water-cooled spot coolers ranging from 1 ton to 12 tons. In other words, no matter what you need we have the right unit in stock!

When the temperature rises during the summer months, a malfunctioning or inefficient portable air conditioner can be a serious concern.

Not only would you be uncomfortable in a hot and humid setting, but you may also have to bear a higher electricity bill. When a portable AC unit is not functioning properly, it is almost certainly drawing more power to make up for its inefficiency.

Unless your air conditioner has stopped working completely and it is not a result of a power failure or electrical connection problem, you don’t always have to call a technician to get it fixed.

There are common portable air conditioner problems and solutions that can be attended to and completely remedied without any help from a specialist.

Here is a comprehensive portable air conditioner troubleshooting guide that sheds light on the most common issues that you will come across and how to repair them at home.

Sale

BLACK+DECKER 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Remote Control

This compact air conditioner will keep you cool and comfortable all summer. An adjustable fan speed cools the air to 65°F at the coolest setting. Sleep mode makes it extra quiet while you rest.  Combines 3 energy-efficient functions for all of your cooling & ventilation needs with cool, fan, & dehumidifying modes all in one machine. Over thirty thousand 5 star reviews can't be wrong, check it out.

$309.99

Note: When All Else Fails

As you will see below, most of the common problems that you will face with a portable air conditioner can be fixed relatively quickly and easily.

However, there will come a time when your device has reached the end of its life or costs too much money to have repaired by a professional.

If that is the case, then you should probably replace the appliance with a new one. Take a look at our free guide on the best stand up air conditioners. It shows you what features to consider and how to find the best one for any size room.

We also have another guide with cheap portable air conditioner reviews for those of you who are budget conscious.

Portable Air Conditioner Problems and Solutions (Troubleshooting)

The Portable Air Conditioner Isn’t Starting

Have you turned on the portable AC unit will not start?

This could be due to a lack of power.

If every other appliance or the lights in the room are working, then you should check the specific power outlet of the air conditioner. Check if the socket has power, check the cord to see if it is damaged, check the circuit breaker to see if it is functioning properly, reset the circuit or use another outlet to see if the appliance starts.

If there is no problem in any of those components then there is something wrong with the portable air conditioner, which can be as simple as a blown internal fuse.

Consult the manual to see if you have access to the fuses. If not, this task is better left for a professional since the entire appliance will have to be opened up to replace a fuse.

Portable Air Conditioner Has Suddenly Stopped Working

A portable air conditioner may suddenly shut down if a timer was active. Restart it again and see if it stops again without the timer being active.

Some models of portable AC units shut down when the temperature set by the user is achieved and the room is just a notch cooler than the outside or ambient temperature.

When the temperature in the room rises up too or is higher than the outside or ambient temperature, the system will work again.

Portable AC Compressor Not Turning On

If your portable AC compressor is not turning on, then the most likely explanation is lack of power. First, make sure sure the power cord is plugged in and it is not damaged. Next, check the wall outlet with a voltage to tester to make sure it is working. If not, the circuit may have overloaded.

Check the electric panel or fuse box and reset the breaker or replace the fuse. If that is not the solution, then replace the outlet.

Another reason the AC compressor is not turning on the portable AC unit is because it doesn’t need to run at that moment. The compress in a portable air conditioner cycles on and off as necessary to cool the room. Once the set temperature is met, the compressor will turn off and not come back on until the unit senses that the room air has raised in temperature.

Lack Of Airflow Coming Out of the Air Conditioner

Limited or lack of air flow can often be the result of a dirty or clogged filter.

When troubleshooting this portable air conditioner problem, first clean the filter to get rid of any dust or dirt that has been trapped inside it. Use a vacuum or brush.

If the filter is washable (see the owner’s manual to find out), rinse it under running water and air dry it before reinstalling.

Frost build up can also limit airflow. Check for frost in the cooling or evaporator coils. Debris in the system, frost or any kind of obstruction will adversely affect airflow. Many portable air conditioners come with a defrost feature. Use this to get rid of frost.

An overheated compressor may also lead to a lack of airflow. Inspect the window section of the portable AC unit and the hose to see if there is adequate ventilation.

Depleting refrigerant can also affect air flow. If all of the other solutions fail to fix this problem, have a technician check for a refrigerant leak and if the compressor is on the fritz.

See all of Amazon's Best Selling Portable AC Units

Portable Air Conditioner Not Cooling Room

The most common cause of a portable AC not cooling a room is lack of adequate airflow. If the air filter is dirty or clogged, there may not be enough air flowing over the evaporator coils and the coils can become too cold and frost over. This restricts airflow and a portable AC won’t cool the room.

Similar to the last problem mentioned, to diagnose the problem of the portable AC not cooling enough, first check the filter and see if it is clogged or dirty. If it is, clean it.

Then, look for any air intake obstructions and remove them.

Inspect the exhaust hose and see if there is any obstruction here. An excessively long exhaust hose could also be a problem. If it is too long then it won’t vent hot air efficiently. Try to ensure that this hose is as short as possible.

Check if doors or windows have been mistakenly left open and ensure the fan speed is high or at its highest. At times vents or gaps in doors and windows can let cool air escape, making it feel like the portable air conditioner is not providing enough cooling.

If all of those things check out, the solution may be one or two other things:

• Improperly sized unit
• Ambient temperatures too high

Portable cooling systems are designed and meant to cool small to medium sized areas. Common places include a living room, bedroom, basement, a study or lounge.

For that reason, portable air conditioners are often used for supplemental cooling and most often used in areas where centralized air conditioners do not cool a space inside a home or office evenly.

Being small units, portable AC units can have insufficient cooling if they are used in too large of areas or rooms, if there are too many people inside a room or if there is some issue with the system.

If the unit is too small for a given room and if the outside temperature is too high for the appliance, then it will struggle to cool the place to the desired extent.

Make sure that you have the right sized appliance for the intended space. Details on how to find out follow.

Determining the Right Sized Unit for a Space

You need to calculate the square footage of a room in order to get the right size for an air conditioning unit, unless the ceiling height is unusual, in which case you need to factor in the cubic footage or volume of the room.

To do this, measure the length and width of the room, then multiply the two numbers to get the square footage. Match this number up to the appropriate British Thermal Unit (BTU) in the chart below to find the right size portable air conditioner for the space.

For example, a 10′ x 40′ room would equal 450 sq. ft. (10×40=450). The chart below indicates that a 10,000 or 12,000 BTU portable air conditioner would be ideal for this location.

Adjusting for Ambient Temperatures

When it is too hot outside, a portable air conditioner will struggle to cool a room quickly or be able to attain low temperatures.

If this is the case, then ambient temperature adjustment is necessary.

The set temperature for a portable AC unit should not be more than ten degrees below the outside temperature. Always go for room temperature when in doubt. Ensure your rooms are well insulated. Look for leaks or gaps. Even a small opening in a door or window can cause the unit to draw in warm air from other rooms and limit its cooling capacity.

If a room is exposed to direct sunlight, this can be very problematic for the portable air conditioner to compensate. The best options are to install blinds or double glazed glass for windows and doors to prevent the room from getting too overheated.

Portable Air Conditioner Overheating Causes

The most common cause for a portable air conditioner overheating is an overheated compressor. Check the hose and to make sure it is venting air properly. If the portable AC is unable to exhaust the heat generated by the compressor, then it will build up inside the unit and cause the compressor to shut down.

A few quick fixes for this problem are straightening the hose, clean and removing any blockages, and positioning the portable air conditioner further away from the window.

If the portable AC unit is too close to the window, then the hose will sag and this can restrict airflow.

After adjusting the air conditioner, let the unit cool for 15-30 minutes and then turn it back on. Normal operation should resume if these troubleshooting steps worked.

If it doesn’t work properly and the portable air conditioner is still overheating, then it’s best to call a qualified professional.

The problem may be a malfunctioning fan motor, low refrigerant charge or leak, or a blown compressor that needs to be repaired.

There is a Musty Smell in Air Conditioner

A musty smell in your house coming from your AC unit is one of the easiest portable air conditioner problems and solutions to fix.

This odor often indicates the growth of mold or mildew and should be addressed as soon as possible as mold and mildew can cause a wide variety of respiratory illness.

When an air conditioner retains water, mold spores find it to be an ideal breeding ground. If you get rid of it, the smell will go away and your air will be cleaner. mold

Inspect the drain pan and drain line, evaporator coils and filter for any discolorations. If discovered, wear a mask and clean all reachable areas with a cleaner that is made specifically for mold and mildew.

Why is my portable AC running but not cooling?

Why is my GE air conditioner not getting cold?

How do I fix my portable air conditioner not cold?

How do I reset my GE portable air conditioner?