The convenience of an LG portable AC product is unrivaled, and that’s what it promises – stable temperature and fan speed. The problem most people will tell you, nonetheless, is an LG portable air conditioner not cooling, fan speed, and you’ve to wonder why.
Often, an LG portable air conditioner product won’t cool because it’s the wrong capacity, lacks power, or due to heat exposure, an error code, a non-responsive remote, wrong temperature setting, a low-speed fan, or an air leak.
It could also be due to dirty filter or condenser coils, insufficient clearance, blocked vents, low refrigerant, frozen evaporator coils, a humid environment, clean water, stable temperature. But still, components like the fan, compressor, thermistor, thermostat, and temperature control board could be faulty, or the AC could be dead.
So, you’ve to look at about 17 performance issues, and this troubleshooting guide will help you do that.
Let’s jump into it!
In a rush? Below is a summary of the 17 issues for troubleshooting an LG portable air conditioner that won’t blow cold air back.
Quick Troubleshooting Guide for an LG Portable Air Conditioner Not Cooling
– Likely Cause Recommended Fix 1. Wrong AC Capacity Match the AC’s BTU with the recommended room size 2. Power Disruption Ensure the AC is ON, reset the breaker if it’s off, and replace the unit’s fuse if its blown-up 3. Heat Exposure Move the AC from direct sunlight and move away a nearby heat source (oven, microwave, heater, etc.) 4. Error Code Clear any error code present 5. Non-Responsive Remote Ensure the remote is working. If it’s not, fix or replace it 6. Wrong Temperature Setting Lower the thermostat’s temperature or better set the AC on Cool Mode 7. Low-Speed Fan Set the fan on a high speed 8. Air Leak Seal leaks on the windows, doors, walls, and AC vents. Replace the vent if you can’t seal it 9. Dirty Filter Clean the filter if it’s filthy 10. Dirty Condenser Coils Clean the condenser coils if they are dirty 11. Insufficient Clearance Create a 20-inch+ clearance around the AC 12. Blocked Vent Clean the air vent if it’s dirty and unkink it if it’s kinked 13. Low Refrigerant Request an expert inspection of the refrigerant leakage 14. Frozen Evaporator Coils Turn off the AC to allow it to self-thaw out 15. Humid Environment Install a drain tube or set the AC on Cool or Dry Mode 16. Faulty Component Replace the fan, capacitor, compressor, thermistor, thermostat, or temperature control board if faulty 17. Dead AC Replace the air conditioner ( as your last resort) Why Is My LG Portable Air Conditioner Not Cooling?
Generally, your LG portable air conditioner is not cooling back because of one of the performance issues shared below.
1. Wrong Unit Capacity
Sometimes the reason why a portable AC won’t cool is not that the AC is faulty but because it’s the wrong size. That also affects its ability to heat, and we are not just talking about a more undersized AC but also a bigger one that affects its performance.
You’ve to ensure it matches LG’s recommended room size.
Fix
Below is a table to match your room size with the correct air conditioner capacity (BTU rating) p2.
Room Size AC Capacity 200 sq.ft 7,000 BTU 200 sq.ft 8,000 BTU 300 sq.ft 10,000 BTU 450 sq.ft 11,000 BTU 400 sq.ft 12,000 BTU 500 sq.ft 13,000 BTU 600 sq.ft 14,000 BTU 2. Power Disruption
The AC won’t run or cool if there’s an abrupt power disruption while it’s ON. The disruption could be triggered by a power surge that blows up the fuse or trips the breaker. So, check the two and ensure the AC is ON.
Fix
Reset the breaker (if off) and replace the fuse (if it lacks continuity). Meanwhile, ensure your AC has power.
3. LG Portable AC Not Cooling Enough Due to Heat Exposure
If your AC is directly exposed to sunlight, it won’t cool. And even if it does, you won’t feel the cold air blowing because of the intense heat.
Similarly, if there’s a nearby heat source indoors, such as a burning stove, running computer, or powered heater, its high temperature will interfere with the AC’s cooling.
Fix
Distance the AC from an indoor heat source and direct sunlight.
4. Error Code
Several errors could prevent your air conditioner from cooling. Thus, you need to identify them and clear them. For example, the error code E3 or CH03 indicates a low refrigerant, and the AC won’t cool if the refrigerant is low.
Other error codes that could stop the AC from cooling include FL, E5, and P2.
Fix
Clear the error code first. Check out LG’s error code troubleshooting page for recommendations.
5. Non-Responsive Remote
If you are using the remote control to turn on the AC and adjust its cooling temperature, it’s essential to ensure the remote is working. Sometimes the problem could be the remote that is non-responsive and not the air conditioner.
Fix
Check the remote to ensure it’s working. Consider replacing the batteries if it’s not working and moving close to the AC when operating.
6. Wrong Temperature Setting
For your portable AC to blow cold air, it must run at a low temperature. That is part of the reason LG includes the Cool Mode on its air conditioner.
But once you choose a higher temperature setting or heat mode, your LG portable air conditioner won’t cool but will heat up instead.
Fix
Set your AC on Cool Mode if that’s not the case. Always ensure its set temperature is lower than your room temperature.
7. Low-Speed Fan
The air conditioner will also not blow cold air if its fan is spinning slowly. You need the fan to rotate fast to encourage good airflow and circulate the cooled air. So, you need to check the fan speed setting.
Fix
Raise the fan’s spin speed to ensure it blows cold air.
8. LG Air Conditioner Portable Not Blowing Cold Air Due to Air Leak
If openings are around the doors and windows or on the walls, hot air will leak (in) as cold air escapes. The same goes for a cracked, loose, or torn vent, which means you should inspect it too.
Fix
Seal up unnecessary openings around the doors and windows and on the walls. You can also try sealing a torn or cracked vent hose but if you cannot do it, replace it.
9. Dirty Air Filter
According to LG, you should routinely clean the air filter every two weeks. Overall, it’s essential to ensure adequate airflow, and once that’s the case, the air conditioner will blow cold air just fine.
But once your air filter becomes dirt-clogged, it restricts the flow of cold air. So, the AC won’t cool.
Fix
Clean the air filter and wash it with warm water with mild detergent. Allow it to dry before reinstalling it.
10. Dirty Condenser Coils
The condenser coils are other components that could interfere with the AC’s cooling if they are dirty. Their job is heat dissipation through the flow of the refrigerant.
If they are filthy, they won’t dissipate heat which means your indoor space will remain hot and not cold.
Fix
Inspect the condenser coils for dirtiness and clean them, preferably with an AC coil cleaner solution.
11. Insufficient Clearance
Your portable AC must have enough space around it to maximize airflow, reduce air blockage, and improve cooling. That’s likely when you maintain a clearance of 20 inches or more.
The air conditioner will generally struggle to cool your space if there’s insufficient clearance.
Fix
Create a clearance of 20 inches plus around your portable AC.
12. Blocked Vent
The air vent must be free of obstruction, especially dirt clogs. It should also be free from kinks as they obstruct airflow. Without proper airflow, your portable AC is unable to cool properly.
Fix
Clean the vent hose to get rid of possible clogs. And if the hose is kinked, straighten it out to do away with the kinks.
13. Low Refrigerant
Another common reason why air conditioners fail to blow cold air is a low refrigerant level. With the refrigerant’s job being to absorb heat, the extra heat will be in circulation in your room if the refrigerant is not enough.
So, check for possible refrigerant leaks, such as moisture around the AC and a hissing sound.
Fix
Unfortunately, trying and fix a refrigerant leak DIY is not a good idea. You should call an expert.
14. Frozen Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil’s job is to warm air from your room and transfer it to the refrigerant for cooling. The problem is that it can frost over when the surrounding temperature drops extremely low. Once that happens, it’s unable to do its job.
Fix
You may need to turn off your AC to allow the evaporator coil to thaw out the accumulated frost.
15. LG Portable Air Conditioner Not Cold Due to A Humid Environment
If there’s excess humidity, the air conditioner will have difficulty trying to cool your space. The water collection tank will fill up much quicker and prevent the AC from blowing cold air.
Fix
It’s advisable to try and empty the collected water. You can do that by fitting a drain tube. You can switch the AC to Dry or Cool Mode.
16. Faulty Component
Several components have a direct impact on the air conditioner’s cooling. Their failure means your portable air conditioner won’t blow cold air, and they include:
Fan – A broken fan is unable to spin and blow cold air. So, inspect it to determine if it’s faulty.
Capacitor – Once the run capacitor fails, the compressor won’t kick in, and the AC will not cool. Test its continuity to determine if it’s faulty.
Compressor – A defective compressor prevents proper airflow, so your AC won’t cool. You can run the compressor test to tell if the compressor is faulty.
Thermistor – The thermistor monitors the air temperature. So, if it fails, it’s unable to do that, and the AC might not blow cold. Use a multimeter to test it for fault.
Thermostat – If the thermostat is defective, it won’t detect when the AC’s temperature rises beyond a certain point. You can check it with a multimeter to determine if it’s faulty.
Temperature control board – A faulty temperature control board will fail to power on the compressor and fan, and thus the AC won’t cool.
Fix
Consider replacing any of the above six components once you find them faulty.
17. Dead Air Conditioner
Lastly, consider that your portable air conditioner might have seen better days. It might be severely worn out or damaged, or most of its components could be faulty.
Fix
Consider replacing your AC as your last resort, especially if it fails to work.
People Also Ask
1. But Why Is My Portable Air Conditioner Not Cooling?
Several issues could explain your non-cooling portable air conditioner. It could be due to power failure, heat exposure, an error code, wrong temperature setting, a low-speed fan, air leakage, or a dirty filter or condenser coil.
It could also be due to inadequate clearances, blocked vents, refrigerant leakage, frosty evaporator coil, or humid condition.
2. Why Is My LG AC Not Cooling?
Your LG AC is not cooling because it’s the wrong size for your space, has a dirty filter, is set at a high temperature and low fan speed, or is directly exposed to a heat source.
It could also be that it lacks sufficient clearance or refrigerant or its evaporator coil is frosty.
3. Are LG Portable Air Conditioners Any Good?
LG Portable air conditioners come in compact sizes for easy crying on the go. They come in various BTU ratings to suit a variety of rooms, and their noise level is pretty low.
Moreover, they are energy efficient, user-friendly, and reliable. So yes, LG portable air conditioners are good.
Closing Thought On an LG Portable Air Conditioner Not Cooling:
The above guide pinpoints the priority issues when your portable LG air conditioner doesn’t get cold. So, consider them before calling LG for technical assistance or taking the AC to a local HVAC expert.
After all, very few issues require a part replacement, which means you can do the majority yourself without buying anything.
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