Why is my AC running but not cooling?
An AC that runs without cooling is most often a dirty filter choking airflow, a failed capacitor, or low refrigerant from a leak. The filter you can fix in two minutes; a frozen coil means shut it off and let it thaw before a tech comes, or the real problem can't be diagnosed.
Likely causes
- Clogged filter — Starved airflow freezes the coil and kills cooling — check this first, always.
- Failed capacitor — The outdoor fan or compressor won't start properly; a common, relatively cheap repair.
- Refrigerant leak — Ice on the refrigerant lines plus weak cooling. Refilling without fixing the leak buys weeks, not years.
- Dirty outdoor condenser — Cottonwood, grass, and debris insulate the coil so heat can't escape.
What you can check yourself
- Replace the filter. If the indoor coil is iced, turn the system off (fan on) for 3–4 hours to thaw.
- Clear debris from around the outdoor unit — 2 feet of clearance on all sides.
- Check that the thermostat is on 'cool' and below room temperature (it happens more than anyone admits).
Typical cost
Typical repairs in Atlanta, GA: capacitor $150–$350; refrigerant leak repair + refill $450–$1,200; fan motor $300–$600.
When to call a pro
Ice keeps returning, the breaker trips, or it blows warm after a filter change and thaw — those need a tech, and running it meanwhile can kill the compressor.
HVAC pros in Atlanta, GA
- A&K Heating and Air Conditioning · PO Box 162849, Atlanta, GA · 7709616016
- Aerotech Smart Solutions · 201 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA · +14694284079
- A.d. Campbell Hvac Services · 260 Peachtree St Nw Ste 2200, Atlanta, GA · 14048828226
- Apollo Ducts Services · 81 Walton St NW, Atlanta, GA · +19432211840
- Johnson's Heating & Air · Atlanta, GA · +16788732451
- Best Handyman · 41 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA · +14043820686
- Maintenance Unlimited Heating & Cooling · 165 Courtland St NE, Atlanta, GA · +14044542686
- Tom Bunch Inc. · 82 Richardson St SE, Atlanta, GA · 7703168390
Get free quotes from Atlanta, GA pros →
Data by Servik — verified local pros from official license records and public sources. Cost figures are typical ranges, not quotes; a pro's written estimate is the real number.