Short answer
Set the thermostat to "Off", then reset the AC breaker once: push it firmly to "Off" and then to "On". Replace a dirty air filter and, with the power off at the disconnect box, clear and gently rinse the outdoor unit. Wait about five minutes and set it back to "Cool". If the breaker trips again, leave it off and call a technician.
Safety first
If the breaker or the panel is hot, buzzing, smells burnt or shows scorch marks, do not touch it: leave it off and call. Touch the panel only with dry hands, standing on a dry floor. Never hold a breaker in the "On" position, tape it or swap in a bigger one.
What to do when the AC trips the breaker
1The AC breaker tripped
The AC stopped and its breaker sits in the middle, between "On" and "Off". It cut the power to protect the wiring.
Read all the steps
- The AC breaker tripped. The AC stopped and its breaker sits in the middle, between "On" and "Off". It cut the power to protect the wiring.
- Thermostat to Off first. Turn the system off so it does not try to start the moment the power comes back.
- Reset the breaker once. Push it firmly to "Off", then to "On". Only once: a breaker that trips again is telling you something.
- Replace a dirty air filter. A clogged filter makes the system work harder and draw more power. A dirty outdoor unit does too: clear and rinse it with the power off.
- Wait, then back to Cool. Give it about five minutes, then set the thermostat to "Cool". If the breaker trips again, leave it off and call a technician.
- Still not fixed? Call an HVAC contractor Especially if: the breaker trips again after one reset.
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Why an AC trips the breaker
- A dirty filter or a dirty outdoor coil that makes the unit draw more power.
- A failing capacitor, or a compressor that struggles to start.
- A fan motor going bad.
- A short or a loose wire in the unit, the disconnect box or the panel.
- An old breaker that trips too easily.
Right away, or after a while?
If it trips the moment the AC starts, suspect a short, a bad capacitor or a compressor problem. If it trips after running a while, it is often overheating from poor airflow or a dirty coil. Tell the technician which one you see.
What not to do
- Do not keep resetting it. Each try can damage the compressor or overheat the wiring.
- Do not swap the breaker for a bigger one. It is sized to protect the wires.
- Do not open the outdoor unit. Parts inside can hold a charge even with the power off.
When to call an HVAC technician
- The breaker trips again after one reset.
- It trips the moment the AC starts.
- The breaker, the panel or the disconnect box is hot, buzzing or smells burnt.
- The outdoor unit hums but the fan does not spin.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my AC keep tripping the breaker?
Common causes are a dirty filter or outdoor coil, a failing capacitor, a compressor that struggles to start, a bad fan motor or a wiring problem. If a new filter and a clean unit do not fix it, call a technician.
Is it safe to keep resetting my AC breaker?
No. Reset it once. If it trips again, something is drawing too much current, and more resets can damage the compressor or overheat the wiring.
Why does my AC trip the breaker after a few minutes?
Often the unit is overheating from poor airflow, a dirty outdoor coil or a weak capacitor. Replace the filter and clean the unit. If it keeps happening, call a technician.
Can a dirty filter cause the AC to trip the breaker?
Yes. A clogged filter makes the system run harder and draw more power. It is the first and cheapest thing to check.
Can I put a bigger breaker on my AC?
No. The breaker is sized to protect the wires and the unit. A bigger one can let the wiring overheat and start a fire.