An error code on your split AC isn’t a fault in itself: it’s the control board telling you that a protection has stopped the unit or a sensor has failed. On Gree units, E1 means high-pressure protection and E6 an indoor–outdoor communication fault; on LG units, CH38 means low refrigerant. Here’s what each code means, what you can safely do yourself, and when you need professional AC repair.
Before you start: codes vary by brand, series and model, so confirm in your manual or send a photo of the display to a technician.
First steps for any AC error code
These safe steps can clear codes caused by a power blip or restricted airflow:
- Photograph the display, noting the code, brand and model.
- Switch off with the remote, then at the circuit breaker. Wait a few minutes before switching back on.
- Give the outdoor unit time. Many ACs hold the compressor for about three minutes after switching off or changing mode, a normal protective delay according to Daikin.
- Check the filter. A clogged filter restricts airflow and can trigger protection codes such as anti-freeze.
- Clear the outdoor unit of anything blocking its airflow, from boxes to thick dust on the fins.
- Don’t keep resetting. If the breaker has tripped, reset it once; if it trips again, stop. Protection codes exist to save the compressor.
Safety first: never open the outdoor unit’s electrical cover or the control board. Capacitors can hold a dangerous charge even with the power off.
Gree AC error codes and what they mean
These meanings come from Gree’s official service manuals for wall-mounted splits. Some series differ: on the U-Match ducted series, H6 means the outdoor fan, not the indoor one.
| Code | Meaning | What you can do | Call a technician if… |
|---|---|---|---|
| E1 | High-pressure protection | Clean the filter; clear the outdoor unit | It repeats or follows a gas top-up |
| E2 | Indoor anti-freeze protection | Clean the filter; unblock the vents | It repeats or ice forms on the pipes |
| E3 | Low-pressure protection | Switch off | Always: low or leaking refrigerant |
| E4 | High compressor discharge temperature | Check outdoor airflow | It repeats: pressure and charge check |
| E5 | Over-current (some manuals) or low voltage (others) | Reset at the breaker | It returns: voltage and current check |
| E6 | Indoor–outdoor communication fault | Full reset at the breaker | It persists, especially after moving or installation |
| E8 | Overload protection | Clean the filter; check outdoor airflow | It repeats |
| H1 | Defrosting while heating (a status, not a fault) | Wait | Not needed |
| H3 | Compressor overload protection | Rest it; check outdoor airflow | It repeats |
| H5 | IPM (inverter module) protection | Switch off | Always: electrical testing |
| H6 | Indoor fan motor blocked or not running | Check the air outlet is clear | It persists: blower motor check |
| F1–F5 | Sensor fault: F1 room, F2 indoor coil, F3 outdoor ambient, F4 outdoor coil, F5 discharge | Reset only | Always: test or replace the sensor |
| C5 | Jumper cap fault on the board | Nothing | Always |
| U8 | Indoor fan zero-crossing circuit fault | Nothing | Always |
Gree E1 vs E3: high or low pressure?
E1 means refrigerant pressure has climbed above the safe limit. Gree lists overcharging, dirty or blocked coils and high outdoor temperatures as causes, so it can appear on a scorching Eastern Province afternoon when the outdoor unit is dusty or boxed in.
E3 is the opposite: low pressure, usually from low or leaking refrigerant. Refrigerant isn’t used up in a sealed system, so any shortfall means a leak. Read the signs your AC is low on gas before paying for a top-up.
Gree E5 and E6: power and communication
Gree’s own manuals disagree on E5: some say over-current, others low voltage. Either way it’s a power-supply or current-draw issue that only measurement can settle. E6 means the indoor and outdoor boards have stopped communicating; if a full reset doesn’t clear it, a technician checks the communication cable, its connections and both boards.
Gree H6 and H1: stalled fan or defrost?
H6 means the indoor fan motor (the blower) isn’t turning properly, so the AC shuts down to protect it. H1 isn’t a fault: the unit is defrosting its outdoor coil while heating in winter.
Not sure what your code means? Send a photo of the display and rating label to Ali at Mousa Workshop on WhatsApp with your neighbourhood, or call +966 54 372 8453.
LG AC error codes and what they mean
LG codes usually start with CH plus a number. Meanings are from LG’s official help library:
| Code | Meaning | What you can do | Call a technician if… |
|---|---|---|---|
| CH01 | Room air sensor fault | Reset at the breaker | The code returns |
| CH02 | Inlet pipe sensor fault | Reset only | Always |
| CH04 | Drain problem | Check the drain hose isn’t kinked or sitting in water | It persists, especially with a drain pump |
| CH05 / CH53 | Indoor–outdoor communication fault | Full reset | It persists |
| CH06 | Outlet pipe sensor fault (some older models: ‘6’ = DC peak) | Reset only | Always |
| CH10 | Indoor fan motor lock | Switch off | Always |
| CH21 | IPM fault or compressor over-current | Switch off | Always: electrical testing |
| CH38 | Low refrigerant | Switch off | Always: find the leak before any recharge |
| CH61 | Outdoor unit overheating | Clear space around the unit | It repeats: clean the unit, check its fan |
| CH67 | Outdoor fan fault | Power off, then look through the grille for obstructions | Nothing is blocking it |
LG CH38: don’t just top up the gas
CH38 means low refrigerant, but a refill alone isn’t the fix. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises repairing leaks rather than topping off, since added gas escapes the same way. The right sequence is to check pressures, find and repair the leak, vacuum the system, then weigh in the refrigerant shown on the rating label. That’s strictly technician work; see our AC gas refill with leak detection service.
LG CH04 and CH61: codes you can help with
CH04 means condensate isn’t draining: check the hose outside for kinks, cuts or a submerged end, and call a technician if it looks fine or the unit is a cassette or concealed type with a drain pump. CH61 means the outdoor unit is overheating. In the dusty shamal season, dirt clogs the condenser fins while the midday heat adds to the load, so clear the area and make sure hot exhaust air isn’t bouncing back off a nearby wall.
Why your code might not match these tables
The same code can mean something else entirely on another brand, and even within one brand it can change with the series or model age, as the H6, E5 and CH06 notes above show. Look up the manual for the model on your rating label, or send a photo to a technician. If your AC isn’t cooling but shows no code at all, start with the common reasons an AC stops cooling.
When to call a technician
Call without further resets if you see:
- Refrigerant and pressure codes: E3 and CH38, or E1 and E2 returning after a filter clean.
- Board, inverter and sensor codes (H5, CH21, F1–F5, C5, U8), which need test equipment and involve charged capacitors.
- Any code that returns after a reset and a clean filter.
- A breaker that trips more than once, a burning smell or loud humming from the outdoor unit.
- Ice on the pipes or coil: switch off cooling, run the fan only, and never chip the ice away.
At Mousa Workshop, Ali diagnoses the fault first and tells you the cost before any work starts. We cover Saihat and Anak, Qatif, Tarout, Dammam, Khobar, Safwa and Ras Tanura, every day from 8 am to 11 pm. Book AC repair or send a photo of the code on WhatsApp.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find my AC's model number to check a code?
Look for the rating label on the side of the indoor unit or under its front cover, and on the outdoor unit; it's also on the warranty card or invoice. Use that model number to find the manual, or send a photo of the label together with the display.
What do E7 or EL mean on an AC?
We haven't listed E7 or EL because their meaning changes from brand to brand and model to model, and the official sources we used don't give a single definition. Check your model's manual, or send a photo of the display so a technician can identify it.
My AC is still under warranty and shows an error code. What should I do?
Check the warranty terms and contact the dealer or authorised agent first, as repairs done elsewhere may affect your cover depending on those terms. Once the warranty has expired, any qualified technician can diagnose it.
Is fixing an AC error code always expensive?
No, the cost follows the cause. Cleaning a filter or clearing space around the outdoor unit costs nothing, while replacing a sensor or repairing a refrigerant leak or inverter board is a very different job. That's why Ali at Mousa Workshop diagnoses first and tells you the cost before any repair.