Lg Air Conditioner: not starting

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your LG air conditioner not starting? You may be experiencing issues like a tripped breaker or a malfunctioning remote control. This guide covers common causes and DIY fixes for your AC unit that won't power on, helping you diagnose the problem effectively.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Lg Models

  • Official support notes checking the dedicated circuit breaker for LG AC is important as tripping stops unit from powering entirely.
  • Some LG units have manual reset buttons on power cable or unit to reset safety circuits.

Possible Causes

Power supply issue (breaker tripped, no power)

How to Identify: Check if circuit breaker for the AC has tripped or if there is no power at the outlet; unit shows no lights or response.

Part: Electric power circuit/circuit breaker

Remote control or control signal issue

How to Identify: AC does not respond to remote commands; remote batteries may be dead; manual button on unit may work.

Part: Remote control/sensor

Safety shutdown due to clogged filter or airflow restriction

How to Identify: Filters visibly dirty; unit overheats and shuts down or refuses to start until airflow restored.

Part: Air filter/airflow path

Clogged condensate drain triggering float safety switch

How to Identify: Standing water in drain pan, unit prevents start until drain cleared.

Part: Drain line/float switch

Faulty internal electrical component (control board, capacitor, motor)

How to Identify: Humming or brief attempt to start; no full operation; visible component damage or no response after basic checks.

Part: Control board, capacitor, fan motor

DIY Solutions

Reset power and check breaker

Easy 10 minutes
Tools Needed: none
  1. Go to electrical panel and locate the breaker labeled for the air conditioner.
  2. Switch the breaker fully off and then back on to reset.
  3. Try powering the AC again.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure hands are dry and stand on dry ground when accessing breaker.

Replace remote batteries and test manual start

Easy 5 minutes
Tools Needed: new batteries
  1. Open the remote control battery compartment and install fresh batteries.
  2. Point remote directly at unit and press power.
  3. If fails, locate the manual power button on indoor unit and try starting directly.

Clean or replace air filter

Moderate 15 minutes
Tools Needed: soft cloth, water
  1. Turn off AC and disconnect power.
  2. Open front cover and remove air filter.
  3. Clean with lukewarm water and mild soap; dry completely and reinsert.
  4. Reconnect power and try starting unit.
⚠️ Safety First: Do not operate unit without dry filter installed.

Clear condensate drain line

Moderate 20–30 minutes
Tools Needed: wet/dry vacuum or long brush
  1. Turn off unit and disconnect power.
  2. Locate drain line and use vacuum or brush to clear debris.
  3. Check drain pan and remove standing water.
  4. Reconnect power and test startup.

Professional Repairs

Control board or electrical component replacement

Estimated Cost: $150 - $600+

HVAC technician diagnosis for refrigerant or compressor issues

Estimated Cost: $500 - $2000+

When to Call a Professional

Unit attempts to start (hums) but fails repeatedly
Visible electrical damage
No response after all basic DIY steps

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean or replace air filters: Airflow restriction and safety shutdowns
    Frequency: monthly during heavy use
  • Annual professional inspection: Internal component failure and ensures safe operation
    Frequency: annually

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my LG Air Conditioner not starting?
Common reasons include a tripped breaker, remote control issues, or safety shutdown due to airflow restriction.
How do I fix LG Air Conditioner not starting myself?
Try resetting the power, replacing remote batteries, or cleaning the air filter and condensate drain.
How much does it cost to fix not starting?
Professional repairs can range from $150 to $600+ for parts like the control board.
When should I call a technician for not starting?
If DIY fixes don't work, or if you suspect compressor or refrigerant issues, it's time to call a professional.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

75%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Faulty capacitor preventing the fan from starting
  • Tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse
  • Malfunctioning thermostat not sending a signal to start the unit

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Check and replace the capacitor: Disconnect power, remove the access panel, locate the capacitor, test it with a multimeter, and replace if faulty.

  2. Inspect the circuit breaker or fuse: Check the electrical panel for tripped breakers or blown fuses and reset or replace as necessary.

  3. Test and recalibrate the thermostat: Ensure the thermostat is set to the cooling mode, check the batteries, and replace if necessary.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. LG 5K window AC - retrieved from storage and Fan will not st...

Community Discussions

Fan will not start - fan is energized, but no go

The capacitor is likely bad and may need to be replaced.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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