Notice a blinking light from your air conditioning unit? That blinking light indicates an internal problem with your air conditioner. In Singapore’s tropical climate, where air conditioners are vital for daily comfort, a blinking light might mean trouble is brewing.
The indoor green operation light blinks to signal issues from one or more of its components. Thus, most internal parts of the air conditioner will need to be checked and fixed by a professional technician.
But don’t worry, our technicians at Luce are more than knowledgeable about their trade, and will be glad to check your AC unit for one or more of these common reasons for a blinking light!
Why Does AC Light Blinking?
If you’ve ever noticed your AC light blinking, it’s usually a sign that something is wrong with your unit. Many homeowners and businesses in Singapore experience this issue, especially given the heavy reliance on air conditioning due to our warm and humid climate. A blinking aircon light is often an error indicator, signaling anything from minor maintenance needs to more serious system failures.
5 Reasons for a Blinking AC Light
Reason #1 Refrigerant Leak
A refrigerant leak is the most likely culprit for older air conditioning units in Singapore, especially if the flashing light is accompanied by a lack of cold air. If your air conditioning system is not blowing cold air into the room, chances are there is a leak in the refrigerant lines that need to be fixed immediately.
Reason #2 Incorrect Installation
When the air conditioner is improperly installed, there are often problems that arise after the AC unit has been running for a while. There may be parts moving around in the interior, or the drain lines, coils, and drip trays may have issues from the installation. It is difficult to pinpoint the cause of the blinking light exactly, but poor installation is attributed to one of the causes.
Reason #3 Poor Air Circulation
An air conditioning unit may give off a blinking light if it has poor air circulation. Air conditioners, particularly window air conditioners, require adequate airflow to function properly, and a blockage, dust buildup, or debris might be hindering this, prompting the air conditioner to give off a flashing light.
Reason #4 Issues with Electrical Wiring or Circuit Breaker Box
Another problem may be with the power source. Check with appliances running under the same circuit breaker as your air conditioner to see if the issue is with the breaker box. If other appliances are also faulty, then you may need to take a look at your breaker box for any tripped circuits and reset it.
Reason #5 Frozen Evaporator Coils
There are a couple of reasons for frozen coils. One is the outdoor weather, but it may also be caused by dust buildup, a faulty condenser, or clogged drain lines. The blinking light indicates a problem with the evaporator coil, which will create a domino effect of malfunctioning parts as the problem goes unfixed.
How to Fix Blinking AC Light?
If your AC light is blinking, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take before calling a professional!
- Step 1: Try resetting your air conditioner by turning it off, unplugging it for a few minutes, and then turning it back on. Sometimes, a simple reset can clear minor errors.
- Step 2: Check the air filter—if it’s clogged with dust and debris, cleaning or replacing it may resolve the issue.
- Step 3: Check the power supply, because another possible cause of aircon light blinking is the power supply problems, such as voltage fluctuations or tripped breakers, so ensure that your AC is receiving a stable power source.
- Step 4: Weak batteries in your remote control can sometimes interfere with the system, causing a blinking aircon light—replacing them might solve the problem.
However, if the issue persists, it could be due to more serious problems like refrigerant leaks, sensor malfunctions, or compressor failure. If troubleshooting doesn’t work, it’s best to call an experienced technician to diagnose and fix the problem before it leads to costly repairs.
5 Tips to Prevent Issues with Blinking AC Light
Tip #1 Go for General Cleaning and Services Twice a Year
In Singapore, where air conditioners are used heavily, regular professional servicing once every six months can help prevent these issues. This way, you remove the dust buildup, and minimize the chances of experiencing an issue with your unit later on. The technician would also be able to catch minor problems before they further damage your unit.
Tip #2 Clean Your Air Filter
Take your air filter out of your AC unit, and give it a thorough vacuuming or washing. Wash the filter under running water, and brush soap over the mesh to remove dirt trapped within the fibers. Let the filter air dry before placing it back into the unit. This maintenance routine should be done every two weeks for the best AC care.
Tip #3 Familiarize Yourself with Error Codes
The codes for each model and brand of aircon unit will be different from another. A Mitsubishi aircon light blinking would indicate different problems from that of a Daikin AC light blink. You will often find a comprehensive list of codes in your manufacturer's guide when you first buy your unit, so we suggest familiarizing yourself with these codes to better understand them.
Tip #4 Check Your Breaker Box
Check your breaker box for any issues with the circuit breaker. If your air conditioning system has completely shut down, you may have problems with the power source. Have the circuit breaker replaced, or remove unnecessary appliances from the same socket if you notice the circuit breaker keeps tripping.
Tip #5 Clear the Vents
Clear away anything blocking the vents of your AC unit. There should be no wall, partition, or debris blocking air flow from going to and fro the unit. Check the outdoor unit as well for any leaves, dried grass, or other debris that may be blocking the vents. Clear them with a brush or vacuum cleaner.
Got Aircon Problems?
That flashing light is a warning for users to know about the issues within the aircon unit. Your unit is informing you of a problem with its parts so you can check on them before they further damage the rest of your aircon.
Always have an experienced professional check the internal aspects of your aircon for you. Our experienced aircon technicians in Singapore can quickly diagnose and fix your aircon blinking light problems to keep your home or office cool and comfortable!
Give us a call today, and let's see how we can get your unit back to its tip-top condition!
