Kenmore Central Air Conditioner Not Cooling

Kenmore Central Air Conditioner Not Cooling — Common Causes & Straightforward Fixes

When your Kenmore air conditioner stops cooling, the problem is often something simple. A dirty air filter, a thermostat issue, or a failed capacitor can all shut down cooling performance. Here’s how each issue prevents cooling and what you can safely check yourself before calling a technician.

1. Dirty Air Filter

A clogged air filter restricts airflow, causing the evaporator coil to freeze and the system to lose cooling capacity. Sometimes the AC will run constantly but barely cool the home.

How to check and troubleshoot it

1. Turn off the system at the thermostat.
2. Locate the filter (usually in the return air grille or furnace cabinet).
3. Pull the filter out and inspect it. If it looks dusty or matted, it’s overdue for replacement.
4. Replace the AC filter with the same size and rating.
5. Restart the system and give it 15–20 minutes to stabilize.

If the old filter was heavily clogged, it may take a few hours for the evaporator coil to thaw and cooling to return. If cooling doesn’t resume, you may need to schedule HVAC repair service.

2. Thermostat Problems

Incorrect settings, low batteries, or wiring issues can prevent the AC from turning on or cooling properly.

How to check and troubleshoot it

• Make sure the thermostat is set to Cool and the temperature is set several degrees lower than the room.
• Replace thermostat batteries if the display is dim, unresponsive, or blank.
• Check that Fan is set to Auto, not On—otherwise warm air may blow constantly.
• Confirm that no one changed the schedule or turned on energy-saving modes that delay cooling.

If the thermostat doesn’t respond after fresh batteries and proper settings, the internal electronics or wiring may be failing. Schedule AC repair service.

3. Bad Capacitor

Your AC has capacitors that help the compressor and condenser fan motor start. When a capacitor fails, the outdoor unit may hum but not start, or it may start and shut off quickly.

How to spot the signs

• Outdoor fan isn’t spinning
• AC turns on but blows warm air
• A faint humming sound comes from the outdoor unit

Safe troubleshooting you can do

Capacitors store electricity even when the power is off. Do not open the outdoor unit or touch the capacitor.

However, you can do one safe check:

1. Turn off power to the outdoor unit at the disconnect box or house circuit breaker.
2. Look through the grille to see if the fan blades are obstructed or if debris is preventing the fan from turning. Clear any debris that you find if safely possible.
3. Restore power and restart the central AC system.

If the fan still won’t run or the unit only hums, a technician likely needs to replace the capacitor.

Other Problems That Can Stop Your Kenmore AC From Cooling

Clogged Condensate Drain & Tripped Float Switch

Most Kenmore central AC systems have a safety float switch that shuts off cooling when the condensate drain line backs up. This prevents water damage but also stops the AC from running or cooling.

Signs of a clogged drain

• AC won’t run at all
• Water dripping from under the air handler
• “No cooling” with no error codes

Basic troubleshooting

When you see water dripping below the inside unit and no water coming through the AC condensate drain hose outside you house, the drain line is likely clogged.

If you have a wet/dry shop vac, you can try vacuuming the drain line outside at the termination point. You may need to use a plumber’s snake to clear the drain line if it’s severely clogged.

View this troubleshooting video for more tips on clearing a clogged AC drain line and keeping it clear:

If the drain pan below the evaporator keeps filling and won’t drain, professional HVAC service is needed.

Low Refrigerant Level

If the system is low on refrigerant, the evaporator coil can’t absorb heat properly. Cooling capacity drops and the system might run continuously.

Signs of low refrigerant

• Warm air at vents
• Hissing or bubbling noises at the indoor or outdoor unit
• Ice on the refrigerant lines or evaporator coil

Refrigerant issues require a licensed technician because the system must be leak-tested, repaired, and recharged.

Frozen Evaporator Coil

Restricted airflow or low refrigerant can cause the coil to ice over.

What you can check

Turn off the AC but leave the Fan set to On to help thaw the coil.

Replace a dirty filter and let the system thaw completely before restarting cooling mode.

Failed Compressor or Fan Motor

If the outdoor unit isn’t running or is unusually loud, a failed motor or compressor could be the cause. These require professional diagnosis and repair.

Schedule Kenmore Air Conditioning Repair Service Now

When you're unable to resolve the Kenmore AC cooling problem on your own, schedule air conditioning repair service online or call us at 1-800-469-4663 to set up a repair appointment.