Frigidaire Air Conditioner Reset & Troubleshooting
When there’s an issue with your Frigidaire air conditioner, sometimes a quick reset or some simple troubleshooting can resolve the situation easily. If you need help with your unit, these Frigidaire air conditioner reset and troubleshooting instructions can help you maintain your unit on your own so you can avoid a service call unless absolutely necessary.
This guide is for window, portable and wall-mounted models.
How to Reset a Frigidaire Air Conditioner
Resetting an air conditioner can be a good way to quickly resolve issues that don’t have an obvious cause, such as when the unit isn’t blowing cold air or doesn’t kick on after a power outage. There are two ways to reset a unit: the standard method and the alternative method.
Standard Method
- Step 1. Find the RESET button - In most Frigidaire air conditioner models, the RESET button is located on the power cord plug. If you can’t find the RESET button, use the owner’s manual to locate it.
- Step 2. Unplug the air conditioner - Cut power to the unit by unplugging the power cord from the outlet and then keeping it unplugged for at least 15 seconds. Using a timer can help you keep time accurately.
- Step 3. Plug in the air conditioner - After at least 15 seconds have passed, plug the power cord back into the outlet.
- Step 4. Press and hold the RESET button - Press and hold down the RESET button for at least 3 seconds. Once again, using a timer will help you measure time accurately.
- Step 5. Release the RESET button - After holding the RESET button for at least 3 seconds, release it. Your air conditioner should then kick on by itself.
- Step 6. If necessary, hold the RESET button again - If your unit doesn’t kick on, press and hold the RESET button again for 5 seconds. Then, release the button, and your unit should operate normally. If the issue persists, call a licensed technician to service the unit.
Alternative Method
- Step 1. Locate the unit’s circuit breaker panel - Refer to the unit’s manual if needed.
- Step 2. Turn off the circuit breaker - Flip the circuit breaker panel to the “OFF” position.
- Step 3. Wait 10 minutes - Leave the circuit breaker in the “OFF” position for 10 minutes.
- Step 4. Turn the circuit breaker on - Once 10 minutes have elapsed, flip the circuit board to the “ON” position. This should reset the unit. If the issue continues, schedule an appointment with a technician to remedy the issue.
Frigidaire Air Conditioner Filter Reset
When the filter reset light comes on, it’s time to clean your unit’s filter so you can extend its longevity and avoid the cost of replacing the filter.
- Step 1. Turn off the air conditioner - Use the ON-OFF button to power down the unit.
- Step 2. Unplug the air conditioner - Disconnect the power cord from the outlet.
- Step 3. Take out the filter - Open the filter compartment, grab the filter by the tab and then remove it from the unit.
- Step 4. Clean the filter - Clean the filter by vacuuming it and then wiping it with a cleaning cloth and warm water.
- Step 5. Dry the filter - Allow a few hours for the filter to air dry completely.
- Step 6. Reinstall the filter - Return the filter to the unit.
- Step 7. Plug in the unit - Plug the power cord into the electrical outlet.
- Step 8. Power on the air conditioner - Turn the unit on using the ON-OFF button.
- Step 9. Press the RESET button - Press down and hold the RESET button until the light goes off. This should reset the unit; if the filter reset light doesn’t turn off, make an appointment with a service technician.
Frigidaire Air Conditioner Troubleshooting
Air Conditioner Not Working
- Unit is unplugged - Plug power cord into the outlet.
- Unit is turned off - Use the ON-OFF button to turn the unit on.
- Plug current device is tripped - Press the RESET button.
- House fuse is blown or circuit breaker is tripped - Replace the fuse with a time delay fuse or reset the circuit breaker.
- P1 error code appears in the display window (Portable Models) - Drain the unit. Refer to the manual for detailed instructions.
Heat Mode Not Working (Portable Models)
- Air outlet is overheated due to a blockage - Remove the blockage and let the unit cool down. If the heating function still doesn’t work, contact a licensed technician to service the unit.
Air Conditioner Not Cooling
- Ambient air temperature of the room is below 60°F (16°C) for portable models and 62°F (17°C) for window and wall models - Cooling may not occur until the air temperature in the room rises above 60°F (16°C) for portable models or 62°F (17°C) for window and wall models.
- Air conditioner is set to a high temperature - Reset the unit to a lower temperature so that the air will be cooled sufficiently.
- Compressor was shut off by changing modes - The compressor doesn’t switch on right away when the unit is switched to COOL mode. After turning on COOL mode, wait 3 minutes for the compressor to restart.
- Temperature-sensing element is touching the cold coil (Wall and Window Models) - Locate the coil behind the air filter and straighten it away from the coil.
Unit Is Cooling, But Room Is Too Warm (Ice On Cooling Coil)
- Outdoor temperature is below 60°F (16°C) for portable models or 62°F (17°C) for window and wall models, freezing the coil - To defrost the coil, set the unit to FAN ONLY mode.
- Air filter may be dirty - Clean the filter. Refer to our Frigidaire air conditioner cleaning guide for instructions.
- Air filter may be frozen - Set the unit to FAN ONLY mode to defrost the filter.
- Temperature is set too low for nighttime cooling - First, set the unit to FAN ONLY mode to defrost the coil. Then, set the unit to a higher setting.
- Exhaust duct is not connected or is blocked (Portable Models) - Call a licensed technician for service.
Unit Is Cooling, But Room Is Too Warm (No Ice On Cooling Coil)
- Air filter is dirty - Dust and other particles are restricting airflow through the filter. To improve circulation, clean the filter.
- Temperature is set too high - Set the unit to a lower temperature.
- Air directional louvers are not positioned properly - Adjust the vents for better air distribution.
- Front of unit is blocked - Drapes, blinds, furniture and other household items may prevent cool air from distributing into the room. To facilitate the movement of cool air into the surrounding space, make sure the front of the unit is free of items that may impede airflow.
- Cooled air is escaping from the room - Make sure that doors, windows and other openings are closed so cooled air doesn’t flow out of the room.
- Unit was recently turned on in a hot room - Give the unit time to cool down the room.
Air Conditioner Turns On And Off Rapidly
- Air filter is dirty - Dust and other particles are restricting airflow through the filter. Clean the filter to improve circulation.
- Outside air temperature is extremely high - On exceedingly hot days, increase the fan speed to bring air through the cooling coils more frequently.
Air Conditioner Making Noise When Cooling
- Sound of rushing air - It’s normal to hear the movement of air through the unit during normal operations. If you find the noise level uncomfortable, put the fan speed on a lower setting.
- Gurgle or hissing - This is the sound of refrigerant passing through the evaporator and is part of normal operation.
- High-pitched chatter - This noise is the result of the high-efficiency compressor running during the dehumidification cycle. This sound is part of normal operation.
- Pinging or swishing - The sound of water droplets hitting the condenser is part of normal operation.
- Window is vibrating excessively (Window Models) - If the window is vibrating excessively, the unit wasn’t installed properly. Call an authorized technician to remedy the issue.
- Excessive vibration on the floor (Portable Models) - If the unit is placed on an uneven floor or surface, it will vibrate excessively and make an unpleasant noise. To solve this, place the unit on a flat surface.
Water Dripping Inside When Unit Is Cooling (Window Models)
- Improper installation - Schedule an appointment with a licensed technician to solve the issue.
Water Dripping Outside When Unit is Cooling (Window Models)
- Unit is removing moisture from a humid room - On excessively hot and humid days, it’s normal for window models to drip water on the outside.
Remote Control Not Working
- Remote is out of range - Use the remote within 20 feet and a 120° radius of the front of the air conditioner.
- Batteries are dead - Check the batteries and replace if needed.
Room Is Too Cold
- Temperature is set too low - Change setting to a more comfortable temperature.
Room Is Too Hot
- Temperature setting is too high - Lower setting to the desired temperature.
- Remote control is in a warm location (some models) - If remote sensing is activated and the remote control is placed in a warm location, the air conditioner will not cool. So, either deactivate remote sensing or place the remote control in a cooler area.
Air Conditioner Reset Button Keeps Tripping
- Electrical issue - Contact a licensed service technician to remedy the issue.
For more information on maintaining or troubleshooting your Frigidaire air conditioner, take a look at the extensive collection of Frigidaire manuals on our site.