Midea U-Shaped Air Conditioner Teardown & Repair: Blower Clean, Fan noise fix, Motor replacement 

Ahhhh man, THANK YOU. Whirring noise is finally gone. I really appreciate the time you took to make the video and the tons of research that you have saved everyone that watched this video. You should leave a link to your venmo or something for those like me who would like to buy you a coffee or beer for the effort and knowledge share.

Thank you for making this video with your step by step instructions. It reassured me that it was the motor that I needed to replaced. You also gave me the confidence to tackle this myself. I really like the quietness and the cold air of this Midea air conditioner. I was going to by another new one. You saved me a lot of money. As I was removing everything apart I realized that there were three more screws on the left side and three on the right side that also could be removed. This allowed me to remove the whole motor housing straight up and out. It came out so easy. I didn't break a single tab off. It also was very simple to slide back in. I hope this helps everyone tackling this repair project. It was definitely worth the effort. Thanks again Nick.

Thanks for the video. I broke my blower fan by putting a thermometer to far into the opening. I was able to buy a new one for 19.99 and with this video had it up and running within an hour. One tip I have is that I did not have to remove the entire plastic housing around the fan blade. I took all the screws out and was able to open in enough from the top to remove old fan and install replacement. This saved a lot of trouble of having to get the bottom of the housing lined up and probably knocked 15 minutes off the job.

I just finished the motor replacement and this video was very helpful. Especially with the link to the correct motor on Amazon and the hidden screw that comes in from the back side of the blower housing. I'd would have never found that screw without your help. The fan shaft setscrew was a bear but my drill-driver got it out with the light impact.

You are a legend, this video is more helpful than anything Midea shared with me. I was quoted $300 for someone to clean it and able to do it on my own thanks to you! Really appreciate that you took time to share all of that with us.

Super Super Helpful! I just watched this 4 times stopping and going backward and then forward as I worked. I kept you playing while I worked so I didn't feel alone with this annoying task. You didn't miss a single part! The slow pace was perfect for me to work along side you and pause and resume. Thanks for the close ups of the clips and other ways to separate the electronic connectors. I am so thankful for all of the time you took to make this video. Thank you for doing such a kind service for all of us of sharing what you have learned! And you were totally right, you do have to push so hard, that you think you are going to break it when removing the white case. So now 3 hours later I have a better smelling and completely working AC! I am proud of myself! (But I could not have done it with out you!). The one thing I added was WD40, on the end of the drive shaft for the blower wheel axle before putting back the axle into the rubber end. I did this because I noticed that the axle had grease on it when I took it out so I wondered if it was important to grease it. Anyone else need to re-grease the axle?

This video helped me take mine apart just yesterday to clean in out. One note I wanted to mention. It's possible to take out the whole plastic unit that surrounds the front radiator if you remove 3 more screws. Then it becomes much easier to take apart and clean the whole area.

Thanks for the video. It helped me understand how to get the unit apart better so I could properly clean out all the mold growth. I saw another comment and would like to second it that the whole grey plastic assembly can come out as a single unit that's screwed to the evaporator coil. Only need the screws on either side of the evaporator and the white cable holder piece. The one you missed to get it all out is under that foam piece on the left side of the unit. Pull the unit as a whole, and them disassemble on a bench from there. Makes it much easier to get at the screws in the back and that one screw that's hard to get at on the left. The hardest part of disassembly was getting the front panel clips undone. Now that some of mine are broke or looser it will come off much easier next time I clean. Cleaning in itself took much longer of course, it takes time to clean all those individual fins on the blower.

Lifesaver!! Bought one of these from a colleague for $100 bucks because of an annoying whirring sound, thanks for making my summer cooler and quieter!!!

For tight spaces, they make screwdrivers that are under 3 inches long at any hardware store. Phillips head/driver tips come in at least three weird hole sizes. For those tight spaces, if you use a magnetic driver, and the screw is aluminum or plastic, take a tiny piece of tape, wrap it around the screw and the driver, so it holds the driver tighter than the screw. When you screw it in, the tape will stick to the driver. I discovered that idea while working in tight, deep computer spaces. That damn noise! It sounds like Cicadas! ~~ THANK YOU!! ❤

Awesome achievement! I'm exhausted (also watched it at 2x speed). Thanks!

Wow! Thank you so much for this video. Saved my sanity when I had to perform a full breakdown for mold/mildew ablation. One thing I noticed (and perhaps it is unique to my particular model) is that the wires coming from the motor actually have a notch in the cover below both of the top and bottom ventilation holes. If they are fed through this notch instead of the bottom hole, they are not pinched up against the motor as much and have more slack to wind them back into the “coffin.” Thanks again for your great service to Midea owners!!

Thank you for this video. Considering you had to record by yourself while working - you did an awesome job AND you showed everything I was hoping to see AND gave many useful tips. A+ DIY

I haven't even bought the unit yet but thank you for this. Good to know that it's repairable by a layman like myself.

I am planning to buy a aircon myself and this video came up. What a great way of showing what could go wrong with buying the unit and being able to fix it DIY. Thanks for the info!

HUGE thank you for this breakdown. I didn’t have a motor issue but I did need to do a really deep clean. When I finally got to the fan, it was covered in mold 🤢 But your vid helped so much, especially your tips on the tabs and wires. Really appreciate it!

This video helped me take apart my unit and get to the Blue Roller. It was covered in mold and mildew. Following the steps, I was able to get it done in 3 hours today (half the time was cleaning and most of the time was just getting the front cover off). 10/10 Thank you for your help. With all said and done, I only broke 2 tabs and lost one screw behind the "Coffin" cords

thanks man, I had a mold problem and I was trying to clean the inside with cotton swaps and after getting so tier through reddit I found these video and wow it was so helpful! thanks a lot

Good video, was looking to see how you cleaned the fan blades.... Qtip and pipe cleaners DOES take forever. One tip I'd give for taking this apart, might make it easier for you..... The screws you removed on the right side (ones going through the confessor). If you remove only those on the left side and the screw holding the box the connectors go into. You can then unplug the motor and remove the entire fan-duct with fan and motor inside. If you do this before it's installed, you can clean the condenser with simple green and a hose outside. Using a hose from the motor side and flushing water toward the filter side (reverse of airflow). Next year I'll video myself doing that and the rear section, already did it 2 years in a row. The evaporator gets filthy and clogged up, cleaning it helps it cool drastically better, but it is work, a lot of work.

I’m considering buying a used b Windmill WhisperTech used and it has a vibrating noise that seems to come from a rotating component. The frugal engineer in me can’t let it go. It’s a bit of a drive to get and we have a Midea at home so I wanted to open it up and see if I could get some confidence to tackle the Windmill one. I got stuck at the front cover and probably would’ve gotten stuck at the blower assembly as well if it weren’t for this video. I see screws and I think “oh yeah duh it’ll come apart”… then there’s the clips… thanks injection molding engineers :) You’ve done a great service to many people. Thank you!

That was an excellent video breakdown brother. Exactly what I needed to tackle this to clean the fan blade. Thank You.

Great DIY video, with 19k views it seems you helped a lot of people with what is most likely a common failure on those units. Congrats! A tip I would like to share with everyone regarding the lubrication of parts encased in plastic - Only use pure silicone grease when lubricating plastic parts, or plastic parts with metal shafts. Pure silicone grease is completely inert to the majority of plastics and rubber, that is it will not erode or harden them. Petroleum based grease will cause damage to plastic over time, and the damage will be irreparable. Lithium and white lithium grease is petroleum based as well. You can find pure silicone grease in many places. The plumbing aisle of any hardware store will have food grade silicone grease for faucet O-ring grease. A 1/2 ounce tube will cost maybe 5 dollars and last a long time for homeowner use. Use it grease plastic gears, that shaft of the fan where it enters the plastic bushing, and you can even put a small amount on every electrical connector in that AC unit to make sure water dirt and moisture will never contaminate those connections, making them easier to remove in the future. You can use food grade silicone grease on hose connections for garden hoses, washers and what not ensuring they will come apart easily years from now. Also, while you have everything open, a good quality can of coil cleaner can be bought for less than 10 dollars. While working on an AC unit take the time to hit the inside and outside coils with coil cleaner and a light rinse, the coil cleaner will remove fine dirt that starts to reduce the unit efficiency, and has corrosion inhibitors that will prevent/treat all the different metals and solder of a coil assembly against oxidation.

Very well done--I love when a gutsy hack succeeds! I have one of these installed waiting for summer temps. I got an asurion 3-year plan but if they ever tell me to "get bent" I now feel comfortable I can get to the squirrel cage for mold abatement or motor replacement in a pinch. I know I'll break some clips and strip a screw or two but you've helpfully shown here it's doesn't seem to be an issue.

Just bought one of these a few months ago. It's good to see know that it's easy to source a replacement blower fan.

Thanks for this! Cleaned two, took me a solid 6 hours [the fan cleaning part is not fun], but only took 30 mins to take one apart and put it back together thanks to you! Didn't break one tab :)

I used your video to clean my unit and the instructions are very clear. Thank you.

Thank you so much for this video and the link to the replacement motor. We are now enjoying cool quiet air again after being driven mad by the noise since last summer! You rock!

Thank you so much! Just finished the motor replacement and I'm so relieved to have my quiet a/c back!

Thank you for the video very helpful. A few things to point I didnt have to rip the side protector nor break the top tabs. Pro tip use some toothpics to stick on all the tabs after pushing them, starting with the top ones. Then you just pull the whole backpannel off in one go.

Thank you, we wouldn't have been able to do it without you!

You are funny and entertaining!! I appreciate your sacrifice, hopefully I won't break too many of my own tabs and stripped screws. Also not need to use a fire extinguisher. Very good detailed video so hopefully I can get through all the hard steps after seeing you do it. After all, you did everything using only one hand.

Thanks. I will now be able to replace the motor, in the future, if it fails. I have two Midea U-Shaped units, one in my 2nd Floor office for about a year, and one in Bedroom #1, that I just got this month, They both work great so far. The newer one has touch controls, instead of physical buttons.

Hi,... Nice job, thanks for doing that. I just bought mine and love it too. I know I will have to get into it sooner or later... Hopefully later... One comment, was waiting to hear the new motor just after old noise motor , sort of a side by side comparison.... Overall fantastic job.... Thank you sir!!!

Very well done. Thankyou for taking the time to make this video!

Thanks much for sharing,, thats a heck of an effort to open and put back together but its worth it. You are correct today repair of these unit is costly

Thank you so much for your video! After much research I bought one of these used, and after hearing the noise when turned on I know why they sold it(supposedly moving to central air apt). Your video was fantastic, and such a huge help while I replaced the motor yesterday. You saved me a lot of worry and money as I am a do it myself person. Also a thumbs up for videoing this at the same time as the repair. Very talented. 😊

Thank you very much. Watching from the Philippines. I got the same problem with the blower noise.

thanks, very helpful and clear instructions

Thank you for the complete break down. Just what I needed . Thank you again.

You saved me! thank you so much for this, I have my AC back in perfect working order again!

Discovered today that to get to those two angled screws, you can disconnect all the other side screws from the grey inner part and just tilt the whole thing back. Also a lot easier to re-assemble that inner part with the fan and then put it back on the unit.

I'm thankful that I purchased by mistake the standard Midea air conditioner now.

Thanks men, mine has been growing mold. I gonna try to take it apart to clean this weekend It should go ok😅 i worked installing mini split Ac for a bit, but never done repairs/taking units apart, so im still a bit worried

This unit is such a pain in the ass to take apart. And like most mini split systems, they accumulate way more mold and debris than a standard unit. I blame the squirrel cage blower and how close it is to the coils, picking up moisture. I know most people will frown upon this but I’ve cleaned the blower and coils without taking the unit apart fully, and using a hand steam cleaner. Just need to be careful with the blower and the motor but it works when it’s mid summer and 95 degrees and you don’t want to take the unit apart completely. Thanks for this video though!

Thank you sir, its started a funny vibration on month 13, and guess I'm on my own, so this is gonna be helpful for sure!

Awesome job on the video man! After 3 years mine is making the exact same noise. Now I know where to get the motor. I did clean the blower last year by taking off the front flap and reaching inside, but you can't reach all of it. It was pretty coated with crap because I live in a dusty area. I think this is what causes the motor to start whistling due to the blower getting out of balance. In the app you can manually set the fan speed and I found that around 40% helps it to be less noisy. Also a ratcheting screw driver will help get to the tight places like in the back. A putty knife and some plastic wedges will help with the separation at the tabs. Cheers!

For cleaning the blowers, there's an easier way without removing the blades. Just get yourself a large nylon straw cleaner and some pressurized water bottle. Remove the blower louvers (large one is attached at the sides and small ones pop right off), then use a flat head to remove the metal grate (note remove the bottom attachments first and then slide up. The top middle grate is really hard to remove). Once you have access to the fan blades, spritz with soapy water (maybe some Oxygen bleach) and then mechanically remove mold with the straw cleaners. Once done, rinse off with more water and let air dry with the front open. Be sure to catch the water that comes out the from the bottom.

Curses it’s also the blower motor for me. But at least I know what the problem is now! And thanks for the link! It’s the same model for me.

I helped my girlfriend install her Midea-U today, but a minute after the unit was turned on, error code 07 appeared on the display. Midea does not list error messages online or in the instruction manual, but Amazon explains the problem that many people have had. A piece of black vibration dampening material is wrapped around the 2 copper pipes next to the condenser coil fan (the section of the unit outside the window). If the material extends too far, it will prevent the condenser coil fan blade from turning, causing an error code 07 . In order to make the unit functional and prevent the error code 07, remove the top cover from the outside portion of the unit (3 screws on top, 2 screws on each side and 3 screws in the front. To remove the 3 front screws, a stubby screwdriver is necessary). On the left side, by the compressor are 2 copper pipes with the black material between the pipes. Trim or push the black material away from the fan blade so it spins freely, then install the cover and screws. It is easiest to test the unit before installing it in the window to be sure it functions properly so you can make the repair if needed. The fan on the inside part of the unit did not have a problem and worked normally.

Thank you so much! Cheers!!

seeing lots of people complain about these things after only a few years... and those plastic clips man.. those wont last 4 servicings before they are all busted up and the things rattling.... great build quality

Its not to bad. They grate thing is now screwed down in center and they have 2 didderent types of foam I think to help with noise. There are more screws I think.... I bought two units one for my living room and one for my bedroom. I've had them less than 4 months and both of them have mold. So I've had to take them apart and clean the system up. I didn't find that (I forgot what you called it) white bladder thing that you showed in your video.

Thank you so much for this vid! planning to try this one to!

Thank you for the information! I do have a question though. Mine was full of mold and when cleaning it out, I dropped a Qtip behind the coil and can’t get it out. Is that a fire hazard now?

Great video, well done DIY project.

Thank you very much. Super helpful!!!

Bro, you saved me 600$ plus from buying 2 new ones. thank you

Regardless of the warranty, is it recommended to drill holes or not to drain the water? It makes no sense of leaving the water standing in the pan when leaving the machine turned off. Please advise.

U Used The 13W or 20W Motor ??? Got The 12K BTU Version Of This AC, So Far So Good. Thanks For The Awesome Video.

Your video was very helpful. But I bought one in 2024 and they've put a lot more stuff on there. The little metal grate is actually screwed down. They have insulation kind of stuff around the motor box and they have screwed down the blower so you can't get it out without taking the screw out. So if you changes but so far I'm a broken anything Thanks for your help

The rubber piece on the end of the squirrel cage fan is not a stopper, it is a bearing that supports the fan shaft. When the lubricant in the bearing is depleted, it will start to make noise and the shaft may stop spinning. You can add oil to some bearings or just install a new one.

Thats y i all for indoor standing units its easy to clean

I have three of them i just bought a new one it doesn’t have buttons now its touch screen now.but im scared to open the AC. So far in 5 yrs never had a problem thank God.😂

Not crazy about that unit, both my neighbor and I bought a 12k unit. I don't think it blows enough air for the btu rating. Mine started to make a whining noise more detectable at low speed. I was luckier than you, they asked me to send a sound file and the engineers who listened said it was abnormal and they let me get a refund. I had wanted to keep it and I contacted them saying is there anything I can do to fix this thing? I had it in so securly. I have to say, I have installed many many ACs and this was by far the harderst. What a pain. First they told me to take it back to Home Depot, HD said what? Even though I had authorization from Midea. So Midea refunded and I am donating the unit. Replacing it with an LG dual inverter which is not a U shape. The U shape supposedly lets you use the window but no one is going to use that feature, you have to put insulation around it to keep critters and drafts out.

I was surprised when you pointed out the WOLONG dc motor was the actual motor that came with the a/c. Because WELLING motor is a company fully owned by Midea group. It makes a lot more sense to source parts within their own systems for their own products after all. But also that says this motor should be a genuine part and the concern over its reliability shall be minimal.

Excellent video. Have you attempted to disassemble the outside chunk? I believe that is the condenser, it's gotta get filthy with all the pollen and dirt we have. How often do you clean the squirrel cage fan?

Good video

Those U shaped units are cool looking. I have a question. Why does the top vent have a flap covering it?

The video is wonderful. But you talk to much. 😮

my ac isnt blowing out as strong as it did when i first got it and is also making this noise if i take it apart like this will this also fix the air blowing in problem seems very weak

You can straighten the bent aluminum fins by using a fin comb. They are available online. The combs are color coded to match the number of fins per inch, so be sure the comb you use matches the fins on your unit.

I just did a cleanup with the Midea Duo portable AC (I haven't done it yet on my U shape yet... but will soon). It's more involving on that unit compared to the u-shape model when i look at the vids online. It took about 5 hours I'd say, maybe longer. Just my opinion for anyone reading this but if you're going to go through all the hassle of tearing this down I think you really should go blade by blade on the squirrel cage cleanup. I ran mine for just 2 summers and it was really gross. There's no way, NO WAY, that simple water with no pressure is going to clean that up. It's really embedded on the blades. The undersides as well will likely be filthy. Compressed air does nothing as well. It really needs agitation and something physical hitting it and brushing it off.

Wonder why these motors don't last? I've had other window air conditioners last 5 years or more without one single issue!

nice work man!

does this ac pull outside air inside? or does it recirculate inside air?

Nice

Thank you! I looked at recent Amazon reviews and they are all bad. Returned and broken units are the norm. I have a 20 year old Kenmore window unit that works as well as the day I bought it. It’s as loud as it is reliable. I’m looking at the GE saddle unit too. You could have unplugged or crushed the beeper while you were in there like I’ve had to do to both of my window units since the dog hates beeping! 😂

Last night I had arrived at the decision NOT to buy a unit like this.. I just knew it would be a cluster to get apart and clean the blower and the evaporator coils. Mold is not something you want to be breathing. Now I will save this video for later because A/C season is almost over around here.. I know you said that you didn't know about the outside portion, but when it gets cool outside you might want to explore (and video for us) that to see how much dirt / dust / pollen is packed into the condenser, I do not know if you can see into the back part well enough to really know what it looks like.. Thanks for taking the time to do the video.

Hey Nick, any thoughts on an EL03 code i'm getting from the same midea ac. My ac is out of warranty and really would feel terrible having to toss it out. Midea was unhelpful to say the least. thanks!

Thank you for this video! After enduring months of noise, I finally repaired my AC this weekend using it as a guide. There was some other video that I had bookmarked a while back which suggested using a washer to remediate the motor noise issue but it was pulled by the poster. Also, I couldn't remove the squirrel cage fan from the motor without fear of damage so I replaced it as well. Maybe some Liquid Wrench would help with that.

I cleaned my own unit took a while but these are awful I’ll never purchase again so.much mold on the fan wheel it’s lottery made me sick now I’m having breathing problems , this sucks but I used vinegar and water peroxide spray it’s just a process. But they do need to be cleaned one every 6 months

Those darn tabs. LOL!

hello Nick - so helpful - quick question; i have dust caked on the coils (front unit) what is the best way to clean it?

Fire extinguisher... lol. What confidence.

What about cleaning the outside part? Mine is really rusty and it always have water sitting in the bottom of it

How did you get the blower disconnected from the rotor when you put it on wrong? I'm running into this problem now because it decided to move just the tiniest bit when I was putting them back together and now it's stuck, and i mean really stuck. I tried hot water (gently) and wd40. Nothing is helping. And it was going so well, everything is so clean....i just wanted to get it back together. :( Edit: I just left it and put the screw in right where it sat. I put it back together with your video help and it is quiet, cool, and clean. Thank you SOOOOOOO much for your video. It is insanely appreciated.

If its safe silicone spray is SUPER slippery. I got that to lube up some fans that seized up and i have never experienced anything that slick ever. Couple sprays on a fans rotor and it got spinning right now.

My downstairs one i got 3 years ago does this, I have 2 more upstairs that are perfectly quiet. It is also one thats been ran more then the rest though...

Mine is making a noise and then it trips the breaker 😭 I can’t find any trouble shooting videos . Thank you for this video

How long did it take for this to happen. I want it to last at least 2 years.

wow this was great thankx for this video good job :-)

I think I'm just gonna get a Mr cool mini-split.

That bottom left tab makes it impossible to close. I am gonna have to break mine too

Is this a resolution for the EH03 error message I am getting for this model? It seems to be but no one mentions this error in the comments and I am seeing nearly nothing on Google.

WAY TOO HARD TO TEAR DOWN, AND EVERYONE WILL NEED TO B/C IT COLLECTS SO MUCH GRIME ON THE BLOWER WHEEL AND STARTS SMELLING LIKE MOLD/MILDEW AND IT IS NASTY. WOULDN'T RECOMMEND THIS UNIT FOR THAT REASON.

Mine doesn't want to turn on.

Tip, you don't need to remove the screw from inside the blue blower fan, just loosen it a bit

HELP! My unit is not blowing really cold air... does this mean it needs refrigerant?

This looks easy compared to replacing the condenser motor. Have to take the front off to get to the plug for the motor.

6:06 i know DIY repair voids warranty. Does just opening that void warranty?