[LG Air Conditioner] Why is water dripping or condensation forming on the air conditioner?

When you use the cooling mode, you may notice some condensation. This happens when the cool air from your AC meets the warm air in the room. It’s similar to how water droplets form on a cold bottle taken out of the refrigerator. When the indoor humidity is high, moisture in the air condenses more quickly, so you’ll see more condensation.

Clean the ultra-fine filter regularly.

If you haven’t cleaned it for over a month, turn off the air conditioner and clean the filter. Filter location and removal steps may differ by model, so check your user manual. After removing the filter, use a vacuum cleaner or gently clean it with a soft brush.

Use a dry towel to wipe off any moisture on the air conditioner’s surface.

As the room temperature gets closer to your set temperature, the water droplets will disappear. Leaving doors open during the rainy season can raise indoor humidity. When you use cooling mode in these conditions, moisture in the air can quickly turn into droplets, which may look like water forming on the vent or even mist coming out. Once the humidity drops, the condensation will go away.

Keep windows closed or turn off the air conditioner when cooking.

Heat and humidity from cooking or open windows can cause water droplets to form around the unit.

Keep the air outlet wide and the fan speed high.

On hot and humid days, avoid setting the air outlet to a narrow angle with low fan speed for long periods.
This can create greater temperature and humidity differences, which may lead to condensation and water leakage.
To reduce condensation, set the air outlet to a wider angle and increase the fan speed.

If the drain hose is loose or damaged, reconnect it securely.

If the hose is disconnected or torn, reconnect it securely and wrap the connection point with electrical tape.
If you are unable to perform this repair yourself, please contact LG Support for assistance.

Remove any blockage from the drain hose.

If the filter is dirty, dust can mix with water, which may clog the drain hose and cause leaks.
To prevent this, clean the filter at least twice a month and reinstall it properly according to your model’s instructions.
If you find a blockage, disconnect the hose at the middle joint or at the end, and clean it using compressed air.
If you are unable to disconnect or clean the hose yourself, contact LG Support for assistance.

Make sure the end of the drain hose is not submerged in water when connected to a container.

If the hose is underwater, water may flow back into the unit and cause leakage.
To prevent this, empty the water container regularly so that the hose does not become submerged.

Make sure the drain hose slopes downward.

If the hose is not angled downward or has bends, water may not drain properly and can flow back into the unit. Adjust the hose so it is straight and sloping downward for smooth drainage.

If your air conditioner is malfunctioning or low on refrigerant, the refrigerant may not circulate properly through the cooling coils, leaving some parts of the coils warm.
When this happens, water may drip onto the floor instead of flowing evenly.
This can cause weak cooling and water leakage under the unit.
To refill the refrigerant, we recommend contacting LG Support for professional service.

Check the drain pump power connection.

The drain pump needs its own power source, separate from the air conditioner.
If it’s not connected, plug it in.
Test the outlet by plugging in another device, such as a hair dryer, to make sure it’s working.

Ensure the drain hose is securely connected to the pump.

➔ Insert the drain hose firmly into the pump.

Gently shake the drain pump from side to side.

➔ The water level sensor inside the pump can sometimes get stuck and prevent the pump from working.

If this happens, gently move the pump side to side to free the sensor and resume normal operation.

If the drain pump still doesn’t work after you’ve tried the steps above, contact the installer.

The drain pump is a separate product purchased and installed by the installer, not by LG.
For issues such as water leaks or noise caused by pump failure, reach out directly to the installer.

When the outdoor unit is on a rooftop, if the connecting pipes don't have a rainwater trap(U-trap), rainwater can flow indoors through the wall opening for the pipes.

Check how the connecting pipes are installed.

If you recently installed or relocated the unit, contact your installer for assistance.
If you cannot confirm the installer’s information, please contact LG Support for an inspection.

This is completely normal on very humid days. It’s similar to condensation on a glass of cold water. When cool air from the air conditioner meets hot, humid air, moisture can form on the vent or look like white mist.

Close windows to keep humid air outside.

On hot and rainy days, when humid air gets in, it can cause water droplets to form because of the temperature difference. To avoid this, keep windows closed while the AC is running.

Adjust Your Fan Settings to Reduce Moisture.

If you’re using Comfort Air mode, the fan speed is too low and the airflow is directed toward the ceiling, condensation can build up around the unit. Set the fan speed to High and angle the vents downward. This helps reduce moisture buildup.

Clean the filter regularly.

➔ A dirty filter blocks airflow, which can increase temperature differences and cause condensation. Clean the filter regularly to improve airflow and reduce moisture buildup.

Keep Temperature Within 5°C (9°F) of Outdoor Level.

If you still notice condensation after following the steps above, it may be because the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors is too large. Set your desired temperature to be within 5°C (9°F) of the outdoor temperature. This helps minimize condensation.

Is your air conditioner installed near the kitchen?

➔ The mist you are seeing is typically just condensation, formed when warm, humid air from cooking mixes with the cool air from the air conditioner.

This error often occurs in ceiling-mounted units because they use a drain pump to remove water.
If dust or debris blocks the pump or a part fails, leaks and error codes can appear.
Clean the dust filter regularly to keep the pump working smoothly and reduce the risk of clogs and leaks.

If your air conditioner is malfunctioning or low on refrigerant, the refrigerant may not circulate properly through the cooling coils, leaving some parts of the coils warm. When this happens, water may drip onto the floor instead of flowing evenly. This can cause weak cooling and water leakage under the unit. To refill the refrigerant, we recommend contacting LG Support for professional service.

When the air conditioner is cooling, its pipes become cold.
Warm outdoor air meeting these cold pipes can cause water droplets to form.
This is normal in summer, and during humid periods like the rainy season, enough water may collect to drip onto the floor beneath the outdoor unit.

Why are the pipes on my outdoor unit wet?

That’s completely normal. If the dripping bothers you, simply place a small tray or container under the pipes to catch the water.

Unlike cooling mode, heating mode blows warm air indoors and releases cool air outdoors. During heating, moisture in the air can freeze on the outdoor unit’s heat exchanger, forming frost. To keep your system working efficiently, the defrost function automatically activates to melt this frost. While defrosting, you may notice water dripping or mist that looks like smoke coming from the outdoor unit. This is completely normal and not a sign of a malfunction.

What is the Defrost Mode?

Defrost mode is a normal, automatic function that temporarily pauses heating to warm up the outdoor unit, which melts away any frost or ice that has formed. During this cycle, it's common to see steam or mist rising from the outdoor unit, and you may also notice water dripping from it. During defrost mode, the indoor fan will stop to prevent any cold air from blowing into your room.

[Frost buildup on the outdoor unit]

[Defrosting]

[Frost cleared]

※ In humid weather, you may notice mist or water dripping from the outdoor unit during heating. This is normal and part of the defrost process.

※ If your outdoor unit is installed in a high-traffic area, water from defrosting can freeze in cold weather and create slippery surfaces. To prevent this, use a hose or drainage solution to redirect the water away from walkways.

On humid days, during rainy seasons, or while cooking indoors, warm air can mix with cool air from the air conditioner. This temperature difference may cause condensation near the vent or a light mist to appear.
Don’t worry, this is a normal condition and not a malfunction. It will disappear as the environment changes.

How to Install?

1. 1. Place the unit in the window opening. Make sure it extends 110mm to 118mm toward the indoor side, as shown in the diagram.
   
2. 2. Secure the unit firmly so it does not fall outside. Tilt the rear downward by about 10–15mm to allow condensate to drain properly to the rear.
   Note!

   When using a level, tilt the unit downward toward the rear until the bubble reaches the ¼ mark.
   If the unit is not tilted correctly, condensate can leak indoors and cause electric shock, fire, or property damage.

   
   
3. 3. Once the unit is secured, seal the gaps around it with the supplied insulation.
   

If the drain plug is missing or loose, water may leak.
To prevent this, insert the drain plug firmly into the drain hole at the back of the unit.

When heavy rain and wind blow toward the unit, water may collect in the drain pan and overflow indoors.
If the unit is not in use and the rear can be closed with a window, close it. Alternatively, connect a drain hose to the drain outlet to remove water from the drain pan to the outside.

On humid days, during rainy seasons, or while cooking indoors, warm air can mix with cool air from the air conditioner. This temperature difference may cause condensation near the vent or a light mist to appear. Don’t worry, this is a normal condition and not a malfunction. It will disappear as the environment changes.

If the product is installed at an angle, the water tray inside may tilt, causing water to overflow. Install the product on a firm, level surface.

If the drain plug is missing or loose, water may leak.
To prevent this, insert the drain plug firmly into the drain hole at the back of the unit.

During heavy rain, rainwater may enter the unit through the connected hose and cause leaks.
To prevent this, position the hose so it forms a high arc that is higher than the exhaust port at the back of the unit.