Troubleshooting Guide: What to Do If Your Wall Unit Isn’t Heating or Cooling Properly

Hey there — Samantha here! 👋

If your Amana Through-the-Wall AC/Heat Pump suddenly stops heating or cooling like it used to, don’t panic. In most cases, the fix is simple and takes only a few minutes.

Maybe the air feels lukewarm. Or the fan’s running, but the temperature never changes. Or maybe it’s just… dead quiet. Whatever’s happening, this guide walks you through the most common issues — and how to solve them before calling a technician.

We’ll cover:
✅ How to reset your Amana unit safely
✅ What those blinking lights mean
✅ Battery and remote checks
✅ Airflow and filter fixes
✅ When it’s time to call support

Let’s get your comfort back on track.

1. Step One: Start With the Simple Reset 🔄

If your unit suddenly stops heating or cooling, a soft reset often clears up electrical hiccups or temporary lockouts.

🧭 Reset Process for Amana Wall Units

Turn the unit off using the Power button.
Unplug it from the wall outlet.
- Wait 2–5 minutes to allow internal capacitors to discharge.
Plug it back in and power on.
Press Mode until the desired setting (Cool or Heat) appears.

⚡ Tip: Some models have a small “Reset” button behind the front panel or near the plug. Press it once firmly — not repeatedly — and wait a few seconds before restarting.

If your Amana has a digital display, you might see error codes. Don’t worry — we’ll go through those next.

2. Decoding Error Lights and Common Indicators 💡

Your wall unit might “talk” to you using lights or short codes. These alerts can help identify the issue.

Light / Code	Meaning	What to Do
Power light flashing	Power interruption or surge	Unplug for 5 minutes, then restart.
Filter light on	Dirty or clogged filter	Clean or replace filter (see below).
E1 / E2	Room or coil sensor fault	Unplug → wait → restart. If it returns, call support.
E4	Defrost or heating protection mode	Wait 5–10 minutes — normal in cold weather.
E5 / E6	Communication or voltage issue	Check power cord connection; contact support if persistent.
FT / EH	Low refrigerant or coil freeze	Turn to Fan mode to defrost, then resume Cool mode later.

📖 For detailed codes, see your Amana unit’s model-specific manual on Amana’s Support Page .

3. Check Your Thermostat & Remote Batteries 🔋

This might sound obvious, but low batteries are one of the top causes of “non-responsive” units.

🔧 Try This:

Replace remote batteries with new, same-type batteries (usually AAA).
Point the remote directly at the sensor — within 15 feet.
Check that no bright sunlight or lamps are shining on the receiver.
If your wall unit has manual buttons, test those too — if they work but the remote doesn’t, you’ve found the culprit.

💡 Fun fact: weak batteries may still power the screen, but not the signal — so your commands never reach the unit.

If your wall unit uses a wired wall thermostat instead of a remote, double-check its batteries or fuse. Dead thermostats mean the system never gets the “turn on” command.

4. Airflow Issues: The Silent Performance Killer 🌬️

A clogged filter or blocked vent can make your unit sound like it’s running, but airflow is so restricted that it can’t cool or heat properly.

🧽 Check These Areas:

Front intake grille: Is dust visible? Wipe gently with a damp cloth.
Filter: Remove, vacuum, and rinse if needed. (Once a month minimum.)
Rear exhaust vents: Go outside — make sure the wall sleeve vents aren’t blocked by debris, lint, or leaves.
Curtains or furniture: Keep 2–3 feet clear space around the unit.

🌿 According to Energy Star , clean filters can reduce your unit’s energy use by up to 15%.

If airflow improves after cleaning, your problem was likely a simple buildup.

5. Check Your Mode and Temperature Settings ⚙️

Sometimes it’s not the hardware — it’s just the settings.
If your unit is blowing air but not changing temperature, double-check these basics:

Issue	Likely Setting Mistake	Fix
Air blows but no cooling	Set to Fan Only (💨) instead of Cool (❄️)	Press Mode → select ❄️ Cool
Air blows warm in summer	Set temp is too high (above room temp)	Lower temp by 2–4 °F
No heat in winter	Still in Cool mode	Press Mode → select ☀️ Heat
Short bursts of air only	Energy Saver mode cycling	Switch to Auto fan for steady operation

🧠 Remember: a heat pump switches refrigerant flow — so if the “wrong” mode is selected, you’ll feel the opposite of what you expect energysage !

6. Check Power Supply and Breakers ⚡

If your unit doesn’t turn on at all — no lights, no fan, no display — check your power source.

Verify outlet power: Plug in a lamp or phone charger to test.
Check your breaker box: Look for a tripped circuit. Flip it fully “off” then back “on.”
Inspect plug and cord: Look for fraying, scorch marks, or loose fits.

⚠️ Never use extension cords — they can cause voltage drops that affect compressor startup.

If power is fine but the unit still won’t respond, contact support — internal fuses or capacitors may need inspection.

7. Coil Frost or Ice? Here’s Why ❄️

If you notice frost on the coils or chilly air suddenly turning warm, don’t panic — it usually means restricted airflow or low refrigerant.

Try This:

Turn the unit to Fan mode for 20–30 minutes.
Check and clean the filter and coils (use a soft brush).
Restart on Cool after ice melts completely.

If frost reappears frequently, it could indicate low refrigerant or sensor issues — that’s a professional job. (HVAC.com )

8. When Heating Doesn’t Work Properly ☀️

In heat-pump mode, your Amana wall unit reverses refrigerant flow to pull heat from outside air. If it’s extremely cold outside, efficiency drops — that’s expected.

However, if your unit blows cold air even above 40 °F outdoor temperatures, check:

Mode: Ensure ☀️ Heat is selected.
Temperature: Set to 72–74 °F.
Airflow: Make sure rear grille isn’t iced or obstructed.
Compressor delay: Give it 3–5 minutes after mode change to kick in.

🔥 Pro Tip: If you’re in a region with winters below 35 °F, use a small space heater as backup. Heat pumps are most efficient in moderate cold.

9. Resetting After Power Outages 🌩️

After a power surge or outage, your Amana unit might enter “protective mode.”

Here’s how to clear it:

Turn off the unit.
Unplug it for 5 minutes.
Press and hold Power and Mode simultaneously for 5 seconds (on models that support manual reset).
Plug back in and restart.

⚡ If the display still shows blinking lights or codes, it may need a technician’s diagnostic tool — contact support.

10. When to Contact Support ☎️

You’ve done your part — now it’s time for the pros if:

The same error code returns repeatedly.
Unit trips breakers or smells like burning.
No airflow even after cleaning filters.
Coil keeps freezing despite warm conditions.
Heating or cooling performance drops dramatically.

🧰 Keep your model number handy (printed on the label inside the front panel).

11. Quick Recap: Fix-It Flowchart 🧾

If your wall unit isn’t heating or cooling:

Check Mode (Cool/Heat).
Verify Temp setting.
Replace remote batteries.
Clean filter and front grille.
Reset power (unplug 5 minutes).
Wait 3–5 minutes after switching modes.
If all fails → contact Amana Support.

12. Prevent Future Issues 🌿

Prevention beats troubleshooting every time.

Clean the filter monthly.
Vacuum the vents every season.
Avoid switching modes rapidly.
Keep the drain hole clear to prevent moisture buildup.
Inspect cords and plugs annually.

These habits keep your wall unit efficient, safe, and problem-free.

13. Real-Life Example: My Spring Startup

Last March, my Amana 9,200 BTU unit stopped cooling — right before a heatwave. After a deep breath (and a coffee), I:

Unplugged the unit.
Cleaned the filter and rear vents.
Replaced the remote batteries.
Waited 5 minutes, then restarted on Cool.

Within minutes, cold air was flowing again. No technician, no charge — just a simple reset and a little TLC for the maintenance your through-the-wall system needs to keep it running efficiently. Regular care like this can prevent most issues before they start, saving you both time and money while keeping your home consistently comfortable.

That’s why this guide exists: so you can do the same.

In the next blog, you will dive deep into "Can a Wall Unit Cool Multiple Rooms? Zoning, Circulation & Layout Hacks".