Short cycling is when an air conditioner turns on and off in quick bursts instead of running steady cooling cycles. It is one of the clearest signs something is wrong, because a healthy system runs long enough to actually cool and dehumidify the house before shutting off.
The causes range from cheap to serious. A clogged filter or a frozen evaporator coil trips a safety switch that cuts the compressor; low refrigerant from a leak does the same; a thermostat in a bad location or a failing control board can mis-signal the system; and an air conditioner that was oversized for the home will cool too fast and cycle off before it can remove humidity. Each needs a different fix, so the cause has to be diagnosed — not guessed.
Short cycling is not just annoying; it is destructive. The compressor draws a large surge of current every time it starts, so frequent restarts cause real wear and can shorten its life dramatically, while the constant stopping wastes energy and leaves the house warm and humid. Because the symptom has so many possible roots, it is a case where a methodical tech earns their fee — and where 'you just need more refrigerant' without a diagnosis should make you pause.