Everything runs, nothing cools: refrigerant or compressor
With both fans running, a clean filter and no ice, the problem is inside the sealed refrigerant system, which only a certified technician can open. Meanwhile the system is running up your bill for nothing.
What is probably happening
- Low refrigerant from a leak. The coil is not cold enough to cool the air.
- A compressor that is not pumping even though the outdoor fan spins. Listen for the compressor hum under the fan noise.
- A stuck valve or a failed contactor feeding only the fan. All of these need gauges to tell apart.
Do this in the next five minutes
- Put your hand over the outdoor unit's top grille. Cold-side working units blow air noticeably warmer than outside. If it is the same as outside air, the compressor is likely not running.
- Set the thermostat to OFF so the system is not running for nothing.
- Close blinds on the sunny side and run ceiling fans.
- Book an HVAC visit and ask for the readings listed in the questions below.
Do not
- Do not buy refrigerant or try to add it. Sales are restricted to EPA certified technicians, and the wrong charge damages the compressor.
- Do not sign a replacement contract on the same visit. A compressor quote is where scare pricing shows up. Get the readings and a second quote.
Who to call
A licensed HVAC technician with EPA Section 608 certification
Opening the refrigerant circuit legally requires Section 608 certification. Venting refrigerant is prohibited under federal law.
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What it should cost
$250 to $1,500
Refrigerant leak repair, national range. A compressor is $800 to $3,000
Source: Angi, HVAC repair cost, updated August 2026. View source
National published range, not a quote for your job. The full cost table for this trade is on the hvac page.
Ask this contractor, on the phone, before anyone comes out
Tap each one as you ask it.
- What were the suction and head pressures, superheat and subcooling, and what should they be for this unit?
- If refrigerant is low, where is the leak, and is fixing it in the price?
- If the compressor is dead, is it still under the manufacturer's parts warranty? Check the serial number.
- What refrigerant does this system use, and is the part you are quoting available for it?
End the call if
- A 'just needs a recharge' fix with no leak found and no pressures written on the invoice.
- A replacement pushed on an R-410A system solely because 'they do not make that refrigerant any more'. Existing R-410A systems can still be serviced; the 2025 rule restricts manufacturing new equipment, not repairing installed equipment.