Hisense air conditioner error codes appear on the display to tell you exactly what’s wrong, most point to a temperature sensor, the indoor fan motor, the control board, or, on portable units, a full water tank. The most common consumer codes are sensor faults (E1/E2/E3), an indoor fan-motor fault (E4 on many models), an EEPROM/control-board fault (EE), and a full-tank shutdown shown as FL, P1, or E9 on portables. Older split units also report numeric fault codes via the indoor LED. Use the reference tables below to match your code to its meaning and the right fix. Because codes vary by model line, always confirm against your unit’s manual before replacing parts.

Common Hisense air conditioner error codes (quick reference)
This table covers the codes most Hisense owners see on mini split, window, and portable units. Codes differ between standard and inverter model lines, so treat this as a guide and verify with your manual.
| Code | Likely meaning | What to do |
| E0 | Control board (PCB) fault | Power-cycle the unit at the breaker. If it returns, the indoor control board likely needs service. |
| E1 | Room (ambient) temperature sensor fault | Check the sensor connection; replace the sensor if faulty. A licensed tech can confirm with a meter. |
| E2 | Indoor coil (evaporator) temperature sensor fault, or evaporator over-temperature protection | Reseat the indoor coil sensor; replace if defective. May also clear on its own once the coil cools. |
| E3 | Outdoor coil temperature sensor fault | Check the outdoor sensor connection; replace if faulty. |
| E4 | Indoor fan-motor fault (low/no fan speed) on many models; some lines use E4 for an outdoor ambient sensor | Clear any obstruction at the fan, reseat the fan-motor connector; replace the motor or board if it persists. |
| E5 | Compressor discharge sensor fault (splits); on some portables, a full water tank | For splits, have the sensor checked. For portables, empty the tank. |
| EE | EEPROM / memory fault on the control board | Power-cycle; if it returns, the control board likely needs replacement. |
| FL / P1 / E9 | Portable unit: internal water tank is full and the unit has shut off for safety | Empty the tank via the drain plug, or set up continuous drainage. Clean the float/water-level sensor if the code returns after draining. |
Detailed Hisense split-unit fault codes (LED display)
Many standard Hisense split systems report faults as codes on the indoor display, including the numeric codes below. These come from Hisense service documentation and include the specific protection temperatures and root causes for each. Note that several “protection” states are normal self-protection, not a broken part, the unit restarts itself once conditions return to range.
| Error Code | Meaning | Root Causes | Solutions |
| E2 | Evaporator pipe temperature higher than 63 ℃. | – Normal protection mode: The outdoor fan motor stops when the indoor pipe temperature is between 53℃<T<63℃. If the indoor coil temperature exceeds 63℃, an error code is displayed. After the indoor pipe temperature drops below 49℃, the air conditioner restarts. – Loose indoor coil temperature sensor. – Failing indoor coil temperature sensor. – Failing indoor control board. | – Check and secure the indoor coil temperature sensor. – Replace the indoor coil temperature sensor if it is faulty. – Replace the indoor control board if necessary. |
| E4 | Indoor fan speed below 200 rpm. | – Obstruction in the indoor fan motor – Loose connection in the fan motor cord. – Failing fan motor. – Failing indoor control board. | – Inspect and remove any obstructions in the indoor fan motor. – Secure the connection in the fan motor cord. – Replace the fan motor if it is failing. – Replace the indoor control board if necessary. |
| EA | Communication trouble between display and control boards. | – Loose connection between display and control boards. – Failing indoor control board. – Wiring failure in the display board. | – Check and secure the connection between display and control boards. – Replace the indoor control board if necessary. – Inspect and repair any wiring issues in the display board. |
| 1 | Failure of outdoor coil temperature sensor (Heat pump). | – Loose outdoor temperature sensor. – Failing outdoor temperature sensor. – Failing indoor control board. | – Secure the outdoor temperature sensor. – Replace the outdoor temperature sensor if faulty. – Replace the indoor control board if necessary. |
| 33 | Failure of indoor room temperature sensor. | – Loose indoor room temperature sensor. – Failing indoor room temperature sensor. – Failing indoor control board. | – Check and secure the indoor room temperature sensor. – Replace the indoor room temperature sensor if faulty. – Replace the indoor control board if necessary. |
| 34 | Failure of indoor coil temperature sensor. | – Loose indoor coil temperature sensor. – Failing indoor coil temperature sensor. – Failing indoor control board. | – Check and secure the indoor coil temperature sensor. – Replace the indoor coil temperature sensor if faulty. – Replace the indoor control board if necessary. |
| 38 | Indoor EEPROM failure. | – Loose EEPROM chip. – Failing indoor control board. | – Secure the EEPROM chip. – Replace the indoor control board if necessary. |
| 39 | Indoor fan motor abnormal operation. | – Obstruction in the indoor fan motor. – Loose fan motor cord. – Failing fan motor. – Failing indoor control board. | – Inspect and remove any obstructions in the indoor fan motor. – Secure the connection in the fan motor cord. – Replace the fan motor if it is failing. – Replace the indoor control board if necessary. |
| 41 | Failure of indoor grounding protective. | Failing indoor control board. | – Replace the indoor control board. |
| 42 | Overcooling protection. Indoor pipe temperature below T<-1℃(-7℃). | Failure of indoor grounding protection. | – Check and secure the indoor coil temperature sensor. – Replace the indoor coil temperature sensor if faulty. – Replace the indoor control board if necessary. |
| 43 | Overheating protection. Indoor pipe temperature between 53℃<T<63℃. | – Normal protection mode: When indoor pipe temperature is between 53℃<T<63℃, outdoor fan motor stops. If indoor coil temperature exceeds 63℃, error code displays. After indoor pipe temperature drops below 49℃, the air conditioner restarts. – Loose indoor coil temperature sensor. – Failing indoor coil temperature sensor. – Failing indoor control board. | – Check and secure the indoor coil temperature sensor. – Replace the indoor coil temperature sensor if faulty. – Replace the indoor control board if necessary. |
The most common fix: a full water tank (portable units)
If you have a Hisense portable AC and it shut off showing FL, P1, or E9, the internal condensate tank is full. The unit stops on purpose to prevent overflow. To clear it:
- Place a shallow pan under the lower drain plug at the back/bottom of the unit.
- Remove the drain plug and let all the water drain out, then reinsert the plug.
- Power the unit back on. The code should clear.
- To avoid repeat shutdowns in humid weather, attach a hose to the continuous-drain port and route it to a floor drain with a downward slope.
- If the code returns even though the tank is empty, gently clean the float/water-level sensor with a cloth dampened in white vinegar to remove mineral buildup.
Key points to remember about Hisense error codes
- The system flags a sensor failure when a temperature sensor reads an open or short circuit lasting more than about 5 seconds.
- The same applies to the heat-exchanger (coil) temperature sensor: a break or short over roughly 5 seconds triggers a fault.
- An EEPROM fault is flagged when the stored settings don’t match after the self-check runs twice.
- A grounding fault is detected if the grounding signal isn’t seen shortly after the unit powers on.
- Several codes (E2/43/42) are protective and clear automatically once temperatures return to the normal range, they don’t always mean a broken part.
How to read the error code on a Hisense air conditioner
- On units with a screen, the code shows directly on the display. On LED-only indoor units, you can query stored faults: with the unit in standby, press and hold the Emergency button on the indoor unit for about 5 seconds.
- The indoor display LED will indicate the fault after about 10 seconds, then return to its normal state.
- If there are multiple faults, the unit cycles through each code in turn. Many models retain the codes through a power loss, so you can re-query after power is restored.
- Note each code, then match it to the tables above before deciding on a repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does E9 mean on a Hisense portable air conditioner?
On most Hisense portables, E9 (also shown as FL or P1) means the internal water tank is full and the unit has shut down to prevent overflow. Drain the tank via the bottom drain plug, or set up continuous drainage. If it returns after draining, clean the water-level sensor.
Can I reset a Hisense AC error code myself?
For protective codes and full-tank codes, yes, fix the cause (let the unit cool, empty the tank, clear an obstruction) and power-cycle at the breaker. Sensor and control-board faults usually need a part replaced, which is best handled by a qualified technician.
Do all Hisense models use the same error codes?
No. Standard splits, inverter splits, window units, and portables use overlapping but not identical codes, E4, for example, means different things across model lines. Always confirm the code against the manual for your specific model before buying parts.
When should I call a professional?
Call a licensed HVAC tech for any code that points to the control board, the compressor, repeated sensor failures, or anything involving refrigerant. Those repairs need proper tools and, for refrigerant, EPA certification.
Next steps
Match your Hisense code to the tables above, start with the simple fixes (empty a full tank, clear a fan obstruction, reseat a sensor connector, power-cycle), and verify against your model’s manual. If the code points to the control board, compressor, or refrigerant, bring in a qualified technician rather than guessing at parts.
