Why is my AC running but not cooling the house

Your compressor is cycling but warm air keeps coming out because the system has lost cooling ability somewhere in the refrigerant loop or the indoor coil is too dirty to exchange heat.Start by checking if your outdoor condenser unit is blocked by leaves, grass clippings, or debris within a foot of the fan. If it's clogged, turn off the system, carefully clear away visible blockage by hand, and try again after 15 minutes. If the condenser is clear but you still have no cooling, the problem is almost certainly a refrigerant leak or a frozen evaporator coil inside your home.

Quick checks you can do

Look at your indoor air handler (usually in an attic, basement, or closet). If ice is visibly coating the copper pipes or coil, turn off the system immediately and let it thaw for two hours with just the fan running. This prevents compressor damage. Once thawed, turn it off completely.

When to call a technician

If the condenser is clean and there's no ice, you have a refrigerant leak or internal blockage. These require specialized equipment to diagnose and repair. Refrigerant cannot be added without finding and sealing the leak first, so do not let anyone simply "top off" your system.