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 Nashville, TN: 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 Nashville, TN
- AC Controls Heating & Air Conditioning · 621 Church St, Nashville, TN · (615) 549-6809
- Bonded Filter · 304 Oldham St, Nashville, TN · +16157240119
- Hitech PTAC Services Tennessee · 805 Division St 3rd floor, Nashville, TN · +14234604034
- Ed's Supply Company · 711 6th Ave S, Nashville, TN · +16152442600
- Purified Air Solutions · 200 11th Ave N, Nashville, TN · 6152784954
- Tom Smythe Plumbing · 1309 Calvin Ave, Nashville, TN · (615) 419-3925
- Nashville Heating & Air · 2431 Chapman Dr, Nashville, TN · +16159521988
- Air Comfort Heating and Cooling · 1024 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN · +16152594111
Get free quotes from Nashville, TN 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.