Aircon keeps turning off: check the settings first
If the aircon goes off at about the same time each day, or right after you use the remote, check the settings first. Look on the remote's display for a timer or sleep setting you did not mean to leave on.
Daikin describes one timer case for its own units: with the ON timer set, operation starts up to 1 hour before the set time and stops if you use the remote during that time (Daikin's troubleshooting page). For a unit that will not run with the operation lamp off, Daikin's checks also include the remote controller batteries and whether the timer is set correctly. Its page is a global guide, so follow your own model's manual too. For other brands, check the timer and sleep settings in the manual, or ask the maker.
Power dips and protection stops
Daikin explains that on its units, when the voltage fluctuates largely, operation can stop to protect the aircon, and it restarts automatically in about 3 minutes (Daikin's troubleshooting page). This is Daikin's explanation for its own units, with the operation lamp on.
So if your aircon stops after a few minutes, watch the operation lamp. If it stays on and the unit restarts by itself about 3 minutes later, that matches the case above. If this keeps happening, note when, so you can tell a technician. If the lamp flashes or the unit does not restart, go to the next section. For other brands, check the manual or ask the maker.
Flashing lamp, filters and blocked units
For its units, Daikin says that when operation stops and the lamp flashes, you should check whether the air filters are clean, clean them and restart. If objects block the air inlet or outlet of the indoor or outdoor unit, remove them and restart. If the lamp still flashes, unplug the power cord or turn off the circuit breaker, and contact the place of purchase (Daikin's troubleshooting page).
- Check the filters. Switch the aircon off with the remote, open the front panel and check the air filters.
- Clean and restart. Clean dirty filters with water or a vacuum cleaner, refit them once dry and restart.
- Clear the inlet and outlet. Remove anything blocking the air inlet or outlet of either unit, if you can reach it safely, then restart.
- Switch off and get help. If the lamp still flashes, unplug the aircon or turn off its breaker with dry hands and nothing wet nearby, then contact the place of purchase. If the plug or breaker is wet or near water, keep away and call a Licensed Electrician.
For more detail, see how to clean an aircon filter and aircon blinking light. For other brands, follow your manual.
If the breaker trips
If the aircon switches off because the breaker trips, it is not a setting: follow our guide to aircon tripping the power. The Energy Market Authority (EMA) says a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB) cuts off electricity when it detects a current leakage that may lead to an electric shock, and lists faulty electrical appliances among the causes (EMA's electrical safety page).
If none of these applies, switch off or unplug what was running, then push the tripped switch back up once. If it trips again straight away, leave it off and call a Licensed Electrician. Do not reset it repeatedly, tape or hold it up, or open the DB box cover.
If nothing trips but the unit stops and starts often, technicians may call it aircon short cycling. Note any error code shown; for Daikin units, see Daikin aircon error codes.
What a check costs
FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY
Published aircon repair and inspection rates
For the most common unit (per job), the lowest published rates from 11 companies run from S$40 to S$100. Each figure is one company's own advertised rate with its conditions, not a market average or a quote.
See 21 published repair or inspection rates and sources
| Company | Service as listed | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skyzone Aircon Pte Ltd | Aircon diagnosis fee (residential) | S$27.25 per visit | skyzone.com.sg |
| Snowflake Services LLP | Diagnostic visit (waived if you proceed) | S$30 per visit | snowflakeaircon.sg |
| City Cooling Pte Ltd | Checking | S$35 per unit | citycoolingengr.com.sg |
| A-Max Aircon | Troubleshooting | S$40 per job | amaxaircon.com |
| Blossom Engineering & Construction Pte. Ltd. | Troubleshooting | S$40 per job | blossomaircon.com |
| Coolest Aircon Service Pte Ltd | Aircon Repair | S$40 per visit | coolestaircon.com.sg |
| Doctor Cool | Aircon repair or troubleshooting | S$40 per job | doctorcoolsg.com |
| SmartCool Aircon Servicing Singapore | Troubleshooting | S$40 to S$80 per job | smartcool.sg |
| Thetop Aircon Service | Aircon troubleshooting repair | From S$40 per job | thetop.com.sg |
| Goodcool | Aircon Troubleshooting | S$43.60 per job | bestairconservicing.com |
| Aircon Boon | Ttroubleshooting [sic] | S$50 per job | airconsg88.com |
| Sky Blue Aircon Engineering Pte. Ltd. | Troubleshooting & diagnostics visit (from; waived upon repair) | From S$50 per visit | skyblueaircon.com |
| Jiaxing Holdings Pte. Ltd. | Onsite inspection checking fee (waived if the repair proceeds within 1 month) | S$54.50 per visit | jiaxing-aircon.sg |
| Heng Aircon Pte Ltd | Diagnostic check | S$60 per visit | hengaircon.com |
| Same Day Aircon Servicing Repair | Repair troubleshooting (fix quoted separately) | From S$60 to S$80 per job | urgentairconservicing.sg |
| Vois Pte. Ltd. | Aircon troubleshooting | From S$60 per unit | vois.com.sg |
| Airple | Aircon Troubleshooting | S$60.60 per job | airple.com.sg |
| Lion City Air Conditioner Services | Gas troubleshooting | S$87.20 per job | lioncityaircon.sg |
| Joydom Engineering Pte. Ltd. | On-site troubleshooting visit | S$100 per job | joydom.com.sg |
| Cool-Aire Aircon Servicing | VRF Troubleshooting - On site survey / Transport charges | S$150 per visit | coolaire.com.sg |
| Homeone Aircon | Compressor replacement labour, split (<3hp), parts excluded | S$600 per unit | homeone.com.sg |
21 companies publish a repair or inspection line. 11 price it per job, at S$40 to S$100 per job as printed, with S$43.60 per job in the middle. That middle figure is one company's own published rate.
Other lines are priced per visit or per unit, such as a diagnosis fee of S$27.25 per visit, and some say the fee is waived if the repair goes ahead. The table also includes a compressor replacement labour line at S$600 per unit, parts excluded, which is a repair rather than a check. Ask what the fee covers and whether the fix is quoted separately. See aircon repair cost for repair prices, or compare companies for aircon repair.
NEXT STEP
See aircon companies in the directory with their published prices, the areas they say they cover and their sources.
Compare aircon companiesWhen to stop and call a professional
Call a technician or the place of purchase if:
- it keeps stopping after the settings, filter and blockage checks
- the operation lamp keeps flashing
- the breaker trips again after one reset (leave it off and call a Licensed Electrician)
- you notice a burning smell or an abnormal noise from the indoor unit: Daikin says to stop operation, unplug or switch off the breaker, and contact the place of purchase (Daikin's troubleshooting page); for fire or smoke, call 995
If a technician suggests condenser cleaning or a service, compare aircon servicing prices and other aircon companies first.
Questions
Why does my aircon turn off at night?
A timer or sleep setting is the first thing to check. Look on the remote for one you did not mean to leave on, and see how your model handles both in its manual. If none explains it, try the filter and blockage checks, and call a technician if it keeps stopping.
Can dirty filters make an aircon stop?
Dirty filters are one of the checks Daikin lists when its units stop with the lamp flashing: clean them and restart (Daikin's troubleshooting page). If the lamp still flashes, switch off at the plug or breaker with dry hands and contact the place of purchase. For other brands, follow your manual.
Is it normal for an aircon to stop and restart after a power dip?
Daikin says its units can: when the voltage fluctuates largely, operation can stop to protect the aircon, with the operation lamp on, and restarts automatically in about 3 minutes (Daikin's troubleshooting page). For other brands, check the manual. If it keeps happening or the lamp flashes, call a technician.
Should I keep restarting an aircon that switches off?
No. Restart it once after checking the settings, the filters and anything blocking the units. If it still switches off or the lamp keeps flashing, call a technician. If the breaker trips, reset it once at most, with dry hands, no water nearby and no burning smell; if it trips again, leave it off and call a Licensed Electrician.
Can a blocked outdoor unit make the aircon stop?
It can: Daikin lists objects blocking the air inlet or outlet of the indoor or outdoor unit among its checks when operation stops, and says to remove them and restart (Daikin's troubleshooting page). Only clear what you can reach safely; otherwise, ask a technician.
Does an aircon that keeps stopping use more electricity?
Daikin's troubleshooting page does not cover the electricity use of an aircon that keeps stopping. Find out why it stops first, using the checks above, and ask the technician whether the fault affects running costs.
Prices come only from the sourced company rates in the HomezyPro directory, shown with each company and its source.
Practical guidance for planning a home job in Singapore. Company prices come from the HomezyPro directory, each linked to its source; rules and safety points link to the agency or manufacturer that sets them. This is not a site inspection, a quote or professional advice for your home.
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