What is the first thing you do when your electric appliance isn’t responding? You turn it off, then turn it back on. What if it still fails to respond? You reset it to solve the issue.
Like any other electric appliance, your air conditioner may malfunction and fail to respond after power cycling—that is, turning it off and then on again. This means it needs a reset to restore its functions or alarms you to call a professional for help.
The first step to get your air conditioner working again after it has stopped responding is to reset it. But do you know how to reset the air conditioner?
Resetting an air conditioner is tricky. It’s not something to do regularly with your air conditioner. There are specific reasons when you’d need to reset your air conditioner.
Before you learn how to reset the air conditioning system, you must know why to reset the air conditioning system, what precautions you must take before resetting the air conditioner, and a step-by-step guide in helping our customers how to reset the air conditioner.
Why To Reset An Air Conditioner?
While resetting the air conditioner is not a routine practice, it is often a quick fix your air conditioning system might need to come back in order. Resetting may also help you save money you’ll pay to professionals to resolve simple issues.
Here are some reasons why you should consider resetting an air conditioner.
1. Thermostat Errors:
The thermostat is the brain of the air conditioning system. Thermostat errors disrupt the air conditioner’s functionality and cause damage to the system. You can simply overcome the thermostat errors by learning how to reset air conditioning and implementing the steps.
Resetting clears the incorrect or misfigured settings and modes, and conflicting commands in the thermostat settings allowing the thermostat to start new or refresh, by bringing the system back to factory settings or default mode. You can reprogram the thermostat and set a clean schedule after resetting the air conditioner for error free cooling experience.
2. After A Power Outage Or Surge:
Power outage or surge can disrupt the internal electronics and control system of the air conditioner. The common problems associated with power outage or surge cause false error codes, unresponsive codes, and system lockouts.
Resetting restarts the air conditioner safely, resynchronizes the control system and thermostat and gets the system working again.
3. Sensor Glitches:
Resetting brings positive effects on temperature, pressure and humidity sensors to regulate cooling and overcome the emerging problems. Resetting the unit removes temporary glitches that arise due to power fluctuations or incorrect stored values. Resetting lets sensors take fresh readings and assess the room’s condition, forcing sensors to calibrate and reboot with fresh input.
4. Compressor Issues:
Resetting helps remove minor compressor issues, specifically issues related to sensor, system overload or electrical glitches.
Restarting the air conditioner helps calibrate the temperature or pressure sensors which may give false signals of the system being overloaded or overheating.
A simple step will clear out electrical faults which result in communication loss between thermostat and compressor by rebooting the internal circuit or reinitializing the system for proper command.
5. Error Codes:
Error codes appear due to many reasons and may persist even when the issues have been resolved. Resetting the air conditioner can help clear or resolve error codes and restart normal operations without calling a technician. It will also clear away false error codes from the system and verify if the error is due to an underlying problem or a one-time technical glitch.
6. Short Cycling Or Temperature Inconsistencies:
Resetting helps overcome the issues of short cycling or temperature inconsistencies where AC turns off and on rapidly and is unable to maintain stable temperature control. These errors are often caused by minor software glitches that resolve on their own upon resetting.
7. Routine Maintenance:
Some manufacturers recommend resetting the air conditioner after routine maintenance to calibrate and reboot the system and make the system as good as new at the start of new season for optimum performance.
What Precautions Must You Take Before Resetting The Air Conditioner?
Air conditioner is an electrical appliance using high voltage. You must take precautions and follow the safety instructions before doing any activity with them.
Before resetting the air conditioner, you must take the following precautions.
1. Read The Instruction Manual:
The instruction manual has all the details about dos and don’ts of the air conditioning system you are dealing with. It must also contain information about how to reset the air conditioner. Refer to the manual and follow the instructions unit unit-specific guidelines to reset air conditioning unit.
2. Check For Debris And Hazards:
Check the area surrounding indoor and outdoor units for debris and hazards like water that can interfere with maintenance procedures or cause safety issues. Clean the area of any debris and hazards before proceeding.
3. Turn Off The Power Supply:
Switch off or unplug the unit from the power supply to eliminate the risk of electric shock.
4. Ensure The System Is Safe To Handle:
Before resetting, make sure your air conditioning system is safe to handle. It doesn’t have any visible damage, especially in the electrical system, like frayed wires or visible sparks. There must be no burnt smells, too. Contact a professional technician if you notice any of these problems.
5. Check The Circuit Breaker:
Check the circuit breaker for any tripped switches.
Troubleshooting Made Easy: How to Reset the Air Conditioner Step by Step
Here we have shared a detailed step-by-step process of how to reset the air conditioning system. The process is different for AC units with out without a reset button.
How To Reset An Air Conditioner Without A Reset Button? (Manual Way To Reset Your Air Conditioner)
Turn off the Air Conditioner:
Turn off the air conditioner using the power (on/off) button on your AC’s remote. This step ensures the air conditioner turns off safely and is not interrupted in the midcycle.
Disconnect The Power From The Plug Or Circuit Breaker:
Turn off the switch from the power socket to turn off the electric supply to the air conditioner or turn off the circuit breaker of the room/zone to ensure the AC unit has no power supply.
Wait:
After unplugging the air conditioner unit from the power source wait for 5-10 minutes. Leave the units disconnected so the internal components get time to discharge residual energy, clear the internal memory and reboot the printed circuit board (PCB).
Some experts recommend leaving the AC unit disconnected for at least 30 minutes after a complete reset.
Reset The Thermostat And Clean The Filters (Optional But Recommended Step):
Reset the thermostat using the reset button on the thermostat. Press and hold the button for 3-5 seconds to reset the thermostat.
Also clean and change the filters if they are dirty to avoid any operational problems after resetting the air conditioning unit.
Turn The Power Back On:
Plug in the power cable and turn on the switch or flip open the circuit breaker to restore the power supply to the air conditioner. You will hear a beep sound as an indication that power connection has been restored.
Use The Remote To Power On The AC:
Use the remote to turn on the air conditioning unit. Reset the temperature and select the suitable mode before turning on the AC for use.
How To Reset An Air Conditioner With A Reset Button?
A reset button anywhere in your air conditioner unit simplifies the answer to how to reset air conditioning unit. Pressing this single button will help you reset the air conditioner easily.
The reset button also helps reset the AC units with a memory retention feature.
Locate The Reset Button:
Locate the reset button on your air conditioner unit. The position of the reset button varies from model to model. It might be present on the remote, near the display screen or at the back of the front panel. You can refer to the user manual to find the exact location of the reset button in your AC model.
Turn Off The AC Unit:
Turn off the AC unit using the remote control.
Unplug The Power Supply:
Unplug the power source from the switch or circuit breaker to ensure power has been cut off. Wait for 3-5 minutes to ensure complete energy discharge from the internal components.
Press And Hold The Reset Button:
Press and hold the reset button or use a paperclip or pin if the model has a recessed button for at least 5 seconds, and then release. A beeping sound or blinking of the LED panel indicates successful resetting of the AC unit.
Turn on The AC Unit:
Restore the power supply to the AC unit and turn it on using the remote control. Enter the temperature settings and select the mode to use your air conditioner.
If your air conditioner doesn’t work even after resetting, it indicates a serious problem, and you must contact an air conditioner technician to inspect and repair the system.
Preventative Tips To Avoid The Need For Reset
Although resetting the air conditioner fixes the problems promptly but manufacturers and air conditioning experts do not recommend this practice. Here are some preventative tips to avoid the need for a reset.
1. Clean Or Replace Filters Regularly
Clogged or dirty filters cause stress on the air conditioning system and become the primary reason for a malfunctioning system. Keeping the filters clean saves the system from stress, breakdown and unnecessary need for reset.
2. Keeps Vents And Ducts Unobstructed
Obstructed or clogged vents and ducts cause pressure imbalances and cooling inefficiency. When vents and ducts are clogged, AC can’t circulate air properly, it issues error signals and requires a reset.
3. Use A Voltage Stabilizer Or Surge Protector
Power outage or surge, both are equally damaging to the air conditioner’s control board. Errors in the control board lead to system errors and require a reset to restore the function. Using a voltage stabiliser or surge protector overcomes the issue of power instability and protects the AC unit from frequent resets.
4. Take Care Of The Thermostat
A malfunctioning thermostat is one of the most common reasons for a reset. A malfunctioning thermostat sends incorrect signals to the system and causes performance issues. To avoid the problems, place the thermostat away from the direct sunlight, keep it clean and replace batteries whenever required.
5. Avoid Frequent On-Off Cycling
Frequently turning on and off the AC system confuses the internal circuit and may lock up the compressor. At least wait 3 to 5 minutes between turning on and switching off the system so it can stabilise.
6. Pay Attention To Early Warning Signs
The AC units give warning signs to tell users that something isn’t right. The early warning signs from the system include short cycling, temperature inconsistency, weak airflow, unusual noises and blinking error codes. Resolve the issues at the earliest to avoid the need for a manual reset.
7. Schedule Regular Maintenance
Scheduling regular maintenance provides the advantage of fixing small errors before they turn into big problems for the air conditioning system. Experts advise scheduling maintenance at least once a year to ensure your system’s efficiency and longevity.
When To Call A Professional For Help?
If you have taken measures to fix the problems in the air conditioning system yourself and they are persisting even after the reset, it’s time to call a professional for help.
Professionals have technical knowledge and vast experience to inspect, find and fix the issues and bring back the air conditioner into its finest shape.
At Surrey Air, we offer reliable and affordable air conditioning repairs, servicing, and replacements across Melbourne. We have been offering these services for 45 years and have many trusted customers in the area. Our licensed technicians are trained to handle all major brands and models. If you’re unsure how to reset air conditioning systems or think the issue is not resolving after resetting, contact our experts to help you out.
Final Verdict
Resetting the air conditioner brings many benefits to the air conditioner and gives it a fresh start. This article provides an answer to how to reset the air conditioner and provides step-by-step guidelines to reset your air conditioner successfully.
Now that you’ve learned how to reset your air conditioning, you must know it’s not good to reset the air conditioner frequently. If the problem in the air conditioner unit persists after resetting, you must call a professional for help.
