Should you turn off AC if it's not cooling?

Yes, you should turn your air conditioning system off immediately at the thermostat or circuit breaker if it has completely stopped cooling your home, to prevent severe mechanical and electrical damage. Continuing to run an air conditioner that is failing to cool often means the compressor is operating continuously under extreme thermal stress without producing any temperature reduction, which risks internal motor burnout, seized bearings, and total system destruction. Furthermore, if the failure is caused by a frozen evaporator coil, restricted airflow, or low refrigerant, keeping the unit running will exacerbate the damage. You can troubleshoot by checking thermostat settings and filter cleanliness. You can verify that your equipment is protected when you keep it turned off until you can perform diagnostic checks, thaw frozen coils, or contact a licensed HVAC professional for repairs.