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 Miami, FL: 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 Miami, FL
- New Duct Service Company · 1851 Delaware Pkwy, Miami, FL · +15612698633
- AC Repair Miami Pros · 3580 NW 54th St, Miami, FL · +17866864127
- Barrios Air Conditioning Inc · 3461 NW 48th St, Miami, FL · +13056370109
- Tri-County Mechanical Inc · 3305 NW 37th St, Miami, FL · 3052561858
- Ice Team Corporation · 3274 NW 38th St, Miami, FL · 17862566371
- Og Ac Distributor · 3235 NW 37th St, Miami, FL · +13056335144
- Navas Multiservices Corporation · 3050 NW 40th St, Miami, FL · 13053251077
- Nicot Air Conditioning Inc · 2385 Nw 70th Ave Unit A02, Miami, FL · 17862831366
Get free quotes from Miami, FL 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.