Arctic King Air Conditioner Troubleshooting Guide

Common Problems with the Arctic King Air Conditioner

#1 Fan Won’t Turn On

You might not always want to be cooled down. Sometimes, you just want to have a nice breeze going around the space, but this can’t happen if your air conditioner fan isn’t working. Here are some common reasons that may be causing this:

The most common reason for this is an issue with the power source. Check and make sure that the power cord of your Arctic King air conditioner is securely connected to an electrical outlet.
Other electrical issues can also stop your fan from working properly, such as tripped or busted fuses in the circuit breaker box and blackouts.
A dirty condenser coil can also be the reason behind the issue. After powering down your unit and locating the coil, spray it with a homemade mixture of soapy water and leave it for around 10 minutes. If there are any stubborn stains, use a soft brush to remove them before rinsing the soapy residue away.
If all else fails, then it may be an issue with the internal components of your portable AC, such as a faulty motor switch, so have it professionally inspected by an HVAC technician or electrician.

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#2 Unit Won’t Turn On

If your Arctic King AC unit won’t turn on, then this is most likely due to an electrical issue. Here are some things to check for:

Make sure that your air conditioning unit is plugged in properly. It’s also worth checking that the electrical outlet your AC is plugged into is working, which you can check by plugging in another appliance or device.
Check for any issues with your home’s circuit breaker or fuse, as these can prevent your air conditioner from receiving enough power to turn on and start.

If neither of these things solves the problem, then it’s best to have your unit checked by a professional HVAC technician, who’ll be able to identify any underlying issues with the wiring and other components of your Arctic King unit.

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#3 Leaking Water

If your Arctic King air conditioner is leaking water, then this may point to a problem with the water drainage or collection of your unit. Here are some things you can do to resolve the issue:

The condensate line may have been blocked by mineral deposits, dust, dirt, and other debris. Should that be the case, then you can clear the drain line of any blockages with a wet/dry vacuum before flushing down the line with some soapy water. If needed, then you can also use a flexible brush to scrub the inside of the line further.
If your air conditioner has a pan, then simply empty the drain pan. But while you’re at it, make sure to inspect the pan for any possible cracks and dents that could be causing water to spill out of your unit.
There’s also the possibility that some ice has built up inside your unit and is thawing. The only thing you can do is power down your air conditioner and let the ice melt on its own. With that being said, this may be a sign that your air conditioner needs to be thoroughly cleaned.
In some cases, you might actually have a refrigerant leak on your hands, which is often mistaken and downplayed as a simple water leak. Have your air conditioner professionally serviced and checked to see if this is the case.

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#4 Freezing Up

There are many reasons why ice could be building up inside your Arctic King AC unit. Here are some common causes to keep an eye out for:

A dirty air filter can compromise the air circulation inside your unit, leading to a wide range of issues, including ice buildup. Make sure to check your air filter regularly and clean it to prevent dust and dirt from accumulating and blocking it.
A refrigerant leak can also be the culprit behind the ice in your unit. Aside from negatively affecting other parts of your AC like the evaporator coils, a refrigerant leak can also mess up the pressure in your system and restrict the airflow. The best thing to do is to let a professional take a look at the situation and fix it accordingly.
Dirty coils can also cause ice to form in your air conditioner. The layer of dirt and grime prevents the coils from absorbing the heat from the air, which can push your unit to work harder and lead to ice buildup. Remove any loose debris with a vacuum cleaner before applying a commercial coil cleaner and leaving it for 10 minutes. Then, rinse it away with some water, making sure to avoid wetting any electrical components.

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#5 Not Cooling the Room

You may have bought your Arctic King air conditioner to cool down your space, so it can be a problem when the unit doesn’t do a good job at it. Here are some possible reasons why this may be happening:

Your air conditioner may not have been set to cooling mode, which is the mode that allows your unit to lower the temperature of your space. Other modes, like fan mode and dry mode, aren’t exactly conducive to cooling.
Your air conditioner doesn’t have enough cooling power for the size of the room. A unit’s cooling capacity is often measured in British Thermal Units (BTU), and this amount is directly proportional to the size of the space you want to cool down. Each square foot requires around 20 BTU to cool down, so make sure to take that into consideration when purchasing a unit.
The air filter could be blocked by dust, dirt, and debris. A blocked filter messes up the entire cooling process and prevents your unit from functioning properly, so make sure to clean it regularly.
The coils may be dirty. These coils play a significant role in adjusting the temperature of the air to your preferences, but they can’t work well when covered in layers of grime and particles. Clean them with a commercial coil cleaner, making sure to follow the instructions printed on the back label.

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#6 Short Cycling

Short cycling occurs when the cooling cycles of your air conditioner have shortened without the use of a timer or the power button, resulting in your unit turning on and off more frequently than usual. There are a few reasons why this may be happening:

The cooling capacity of your air conditioner is incompatible with the size of the room. When your unit’s cooling power is too high for the size of the room, it can cool the room too quickly and result in short cycling. Make sure that the BTU rating of your unit is appropriate for the room that you want to cool down.
The thermostat may be unable to read the temperature of the room accurately. Whether because of improper placement or a fault, the thermostat can have an inaccurate reading of its surroundings, resulting in the compromised operation of your air conditioner.
Certain components in your air conditioner could be dirty. When left uncleaned for long periods of time, crucial parts like air filters, coils, vents, and more can negatively affect the overall performance and efficiency of your air conditioner, leading to unwanted short cycling.
There may be a bigger issue inside your air conditioner, such as a refrigerant leak, a malfunctioning control board, or a defective internal part. Regardless of the cause, it’s best to let the professionals at an air conditioner servicing and maintenance company handle it.

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How to Clean Arctic King Air Conditioner Filter

The filter is in charge of removing all the dirt and impurities from the air, but that means that it can quickly become blocked with dust and debris. Follow these steps to make sure that it remains as clean as possible:

Locate the air filter in your Arctic King air conditioner and carefully remove it. Feel free to consult your user manual for this step.
Remove any loose particles with a vacuum cleaner or a soft brush.
Add a few drops of dish soap or detergent to some water and submerge the filter for around 10 to 15 minutes.
After the time has passed, use a soft brush or sponge to gently scrub the filter to remove any remaining dirt and debris.
Rinse the filter and let it dry completely before reinstalling it in your unit.

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Common Arctic King Air Conditioner Error Codes

A great way to figure out what’s wrong with your Arctic King air conditioner is by referring to the error code, which may be displayed on the indoor unit or the screen of the remote control. Here are some common error codes that you can find on Arctic King air conditioners:

E1: Room temperature sensor error
E2: Evaporator temperature sensor error
E3: Condenser temperature sensor error
E4: Display panel communication error
P1: Bottom tray is full—Connect the drain hose and drain the collected water

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Maintaining Your Arctic King Air Conditioner

Maintaining your Arctic King air conditioner is made simple with cleaning, maintenance, and repair services at Luce. Our experienced technicians are well-versed in different air conditioning systems across various models, brands, and types of air conditioners, so you can be assured that our team will get your AC unit up and running again!

Luce is your partner for all your air conditioning needs, from purchasing and installation instructions to deep cleaning and upkeep. We'll keep those issues at bay, and lengthen the useful life of your AC unit.

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