Is no airflow the same as weak airflow?

No. Weak airflow means the fan is still moving some air. No airflow means the fan path may not be running at all or a freeze-up is blocking airflow almost completely. The diagnosis order is different.

Can a dirty filter cause no airflow?

A dirty filter usually causes weak airflow first. In severe cases it can contribute to freezing, and that freeze-up can reduce airflow to almost none.

Should I keep trying different fan speeds?

You can test once in cool mode to see if fan speed changes make any difference. If there is still no airflow, stop testing and arrange a diagnosis, especially if noise or smell appears.

What is the fastest way to help you diagnose this?

Send a short video showing the display, remote input, and the indoor unit vent with no airflow. Include any sound the unit makes.

Aircon No Airflow From Indoor Unit

If the indoor unit is on but no air is coming out, the fault is usually in the indoor fan path or a protection condition. This is different from weak airflow and should be checked in a different order.

Common Causes

A symptom is just a starting point. The same problem could be a quick fix or a major failure. The paths below show the most common causes, but only a proper check can prove what is really wrong.

Fan Delay Or Command Condition

Usually Minor

Some units delay indoor fan airflow briefly at startup, especially during certain operating conditions. Wrong mode settings or timer behavior can also make the unit look on while no airflow starts.

Display is on and the unit responds, but airflow starts later.
The issue appears after setting changes or timer use.
Cooling mode may not be active during the no-airflow period.

The Fix: We confirm operating mode and startup behavior first. If the fan never starts in a normal cooling call, we move to fan-path diagnosis.

Watch out: Do not assume a motor failure from a short no-airflow delay. Confirm the unit is actually in a cooling call first.

Indoor Fan Motor Or Fan Control Failure

Needs Diagnosis

The indoor unit can power on and even respond to the remote while the fan motor does not run. The cause may be the fan motor itself or the control path that drives it.

No airflow continues even in cool mode.
Changing fan speed has no effect.
You may hear a hum, click, or uneven sound from the indoor unit without airflow.

The Fix: We verify fan command output and motor operation before naming the failed part. The repair depends on which point fails the checks.

Watch out: A control fault and a motor fault can look identical from the room. Part replacement should only follow testing.

Frozen Coil Or Protection Stop

Needs Diagnosis

Airflow can disappear after a period of operation when the coil freezes or the unit enters a protection state. This often follows weak-airflow or cooling issues before full no-airflow appears.

Airflow was present earlier and then stopped or fell to almost nothing.
Water drips after shutdown as the unit thaws.
Ice on pipe or cooling problems appeared before the no-airflow pattern.

The Fix: We check for freeze-up and the root cause behind it, then test the fan path after the unit is stable.

Watch out: Running a frozen unit repeatedly increases stress and can create more damage than the original fault.

Not Always A Fault - Startup Behavior Can Include A Short Delay

A brief delay before airflow starts can be normal in some units during startup. This is different from a true no-airflow fault where the fan never starts during a proper cooling call.

How to tell

Airflow starts normally after a short delay and then runs steadily.
No abnormal smell, sound, or error code appears.
The pattern is the same each time and cooling works normally after airflow starts.

If the fan does not start at all, or stops during operation, it needs diagnosis.

What To Note Before You Contact Us

Observe the indoor unit in cool mode during startup and operation:

Does airflow never start, or does it stop after running for a while?
Does the indoor unit respond to fan speed changes on the remote?
Any flashing light, beep pattern, or error code?
Any signs of ice on the pipe, water drip, or unusual indoor fan noise?

These details help separate fan-path faults from freeze-up and startup-delay patterns.

Stop Using The Unit If You Notice These

No airflow alone may not be urgent. These signs are.

Burning or electrical smell from the indoor unit
Breaker tripping when the unit is switched on
Loud scraping or metal contact noise from the fan area
Heavy water dripping near electrical points