An AC needs both fans running — the indoor blower to move cold air into the room, and the outdoor fan to reject heat. If either stops, cooling collapses. The common causes are a failed fan capacitor, a burnt-out fan motor, a seized bearing, or a control/relay fault.
Indoor fan not running
If the indoor blower is dead, you get little or no airflow even though the unit is on. Causes include a failed blower capacitor or motor, a control-board fault, or a tripped float switch from a blocked drain cutting power.
Outdoor fan not spinning
If the outdoor fan stops while the compressor runs, head pressure spikes and the system trips on high pressure within minutes — and can damage the compressor. A failed capacitor or motor is the usual cause; do not keep running it.
Safe checks first
Confirm power and thermostat settings, and look for obvious obstructions or debris jamming the outdoor fan blade (power off first). A fan that tries to start then stops usually has a weak capacitor.
How AGM fixes fan faults
We test the capacitor and motor windings, check bearings and the control relay, and replace the failed part. A fan capacitor is a quick, low-cost fix; a seized motor is replaced. Regular maintenance catches worn bearings before they fail in peak heat.
Frequently asked questions
Usually a failed fan capacitor or motor. Because the outdoor fan rejects heat, running the AC without it spikes pressure and can damage the compressor — switch off and call a technician.
The indoor blower fan may have failed, its capacitor may be weak, or a blocked-drain safety switch may have cut power. A frozen coil can also block airflow entirely.
No. Running with a dead outdoor fan overheats the compressor, and a dead indoor fan can freeze the coil. Turn it off until the fan is repaired.
A capacitor is inexpensive; a full fan motor replacement costs more. AGM diagnoses the exact fault and quotes a fixed price before any work.