The invention discloses a method for detecting the lack of a refrigerant in an air conditioner, and the air conditioner. The air conditioner comprises a compressor, a heat exchange, a throttling piece, a wind wheel and a controller, wherein an inlet refrigerant temperature sensor for detecting the refrigerant inlet temperature of the heat exchanger is arranged at an inlet of the heat exchanger; an outlet refrigerant temperature sensor for detecting the refrigerant outlet temperature of the heat exchanger is arranged at the outlet of the heat exchanger; when the absolute value of the difference between the refrigerant inlet temperature and the refrigerant outlet temperature is greater than or equal to a set value, the controller displays the lack of the refrigerant in the air conditioner. According to the invention, through detection by the relevant temperature sensors, the lack of the refrigerant in the air conditioner can be displayed timely and accurately, and the corresponding alarm information about the lack of the refrigerant can be given, therefore, the problem that the conventional household air conditioner cannot automatically detect the leakage or lack of the refrigerant is solved; and further, the method and the air conditioner have the characteristics of economy, practicability, and convenience and accuracy in operation.