Heating and cooling

Why is my air conditioner running but not cooling the house?

An incorrect thermostat mode, dirty filter, blocked outdoor airflow, frozen coil, or refrigerant/equipment fault can reduce cooling.

Urgency: moderate

What this means

Confirm Cool mode, inspect the filter, and look for visible ice without opening equipment.

Set a reasonable target
replace a dirty same-size filter
clear loose debris around the outdoor unit while power is off at the normal disconnect.

Stop if a breaker trips, wiring is damaged, ice returns, or refrigerant work would be required.

Contact the matched licensed or qualified trade if safe checks do not resolve the issue.

This answer combines HomeSOS's structured triage with safety boundaries supported by a public source. It does not replace inspection.