Air is coming out of the vents, but it's warm instead of cold. Here's what's usually causing it.
Sounds obvious, but it's worth double-checking the system is actually set to "Cool," not "Fan Only" or "Heat."
If the coil ices over — often from restricted airflow or low refrigerant — the system can blow warm air until it thaws, then cycle right back to the same problem.
Similar to a no-cooling scenario — low refrigerant means less heat is being pulled out of your indoor air.
The compressor is what actually moves refrigerant through the system. If it fails, the outdoor unit may still run, but no real cooling happens.
Sometimes the indoor fan runs (blowing air) while the outdoor condenser isn't — meaning only unconditioned air moves through the house.
Intermittent warm air often points to a coil that's freezing and thawing in cycles, or a component that's failing under load rather than completely dead. Worth having diagnosed before it becomes a full breakdown.
Checking the thermostat mode and replacing a dirty filter are safe DIY steps. Refrigerant, electrical, and compressor issues need a licensed technician — refrigerant handling specifically is regulated and requires certification.
See our full AC Repair service or browse other common symptoms.