Start with the remote
It sounds obvious, but check the mode first. Make sure it says Cool (a snowflake), not Fan, Dry or Auto, and set the temperature a few degrees below the room. On many inverter ACs, eco or sleep modes reduce cooling on purpose.
Dirty filters are the most common cause
Turn the AC off, open the front panel and look at the filters. If they are grey with dust, wash them in plain water and dry them in the shade. Blocked filters stop air from passing over the cold coil, so the room never feels cold even though the AC is working.
Look at the outdoor unit
- Is its fan spinning when the AC is on? If not, the capacitor or fan motor may be faulty.
- Is it in direct afternoon sun with no air around it? Heat makes cooling weaker.
- Is the coil covered in dust or blocked by things kept nearby?
Low voltage and load
In the evening peak, voltage can drop in many areas. A non-inverter AC may keep tripping or cooling weakly when voltage is low. If cooling improves late at night, voltage is likely part of the problem. A stabilizer of the right size can help.
When to stop and call a mistri
- Ice on the pipes or indoor coil
- Burning smell, sparks or the breaker trips again and again
- An error code on the display
- Outdoor fan not running at all