Gree air conditioner error codes: how to decipher the fault symbol and repair the unit
Climate technology from the Chinese company Gree has conquered the market a long time ago. It is the world's largest manufacturer of air conditioners.The variety of models produced in all market segments makes itself felt - it is impossible to understand how blocking systems work and how self-diagnosis mechanisms work without a general idea of their typical errors.
These air conditioners are not so complicated in comparison with equipment from manufacturers that claim to be high-tech and not mass-produced. After all, Gree air conditioner error codes are as unified as possible. You just need to know where, what to look for and how to interpret.
But it wouldn’t hurt to know whether it’s worth paying money to the technician immediately after the air conditioner turns itself off, wouldn’t it? Luckily for you and us, the manufacturer has made it so that in most cases the cause of a breakdown, or at least the “sick part” of Gree air conditioners, can be determined by learning how to use all their functions.
The content of the article:
The most common Gree air conditioners
The question is not idle, since in most cases the average person is rather poorly informed about the types of air conditioners. In addition, air conditioners of the same type often have several different names.
When people talk about household air conditioners, in most cases they mean two-block wall-mounted inverter split systems. Air conditioners without an inverter are already a thing of the past; they are starting to be banned for sale around the world.
To put it simply, split systems are air conditioners, one “box” of which hangs outside the window, the other in the room. Gree also produces multi-split systems. Multi-split systems are when there is only one “box” outside the window, but inside the house there are several “boxes” and they all literally create “the weather in the house.”
Have you taken a closer look? Did you see a box outside the window? Great, that’s enough, let’s continue with the diagnostics.
Griya air conditioners can use the following refrigerants to operate:
- freon R22;
- freon R410a.
The chemical formula of the first substance is difluorochloromethane, the second is a mixture of pentafluoroethane and difluoromethane. It is not necessary to remember the names; the main thing to remember is that errors of two- and multi-unit air conditioners of the Gria brand, operating on different refrigerants, are displayed the same way.
General diagnostic principles
The indicators of the external unit sensors are displayed on the control panel and the internal unit. Errors are displayed on the remote control, which are duplicated by blinking indicator lights. Their location and purpose are easy to remember; there are only three of them.
Or you don’t have to remember, on a number of models they are signed and their names are definitely in the instructions:
- Running indicator, its blinking is responsible for errors with the letters E And H6.
- Heat indicator (Heating mode), it “winks” if the Griya air conditioner produces errors with letters H0-H9, FA, FH.
- Cooling mode indicator, errors F0-F9, FF.
The lights flash in a certain sequence, thereby “giving” one or another error. Also, errors are duplicated on the unit itself and on the remote control. So counting the number of blinks that repeat every 3 seconds is not necessary. Moreover, there may be 9 or 11 of them.
A number of Gree air conditioner models have little or no information display. Therefore, the easiest way to diagnose is to use the remote control, which contains everything you need to know to determine the malfunction. Diagnostics are carried out based on data from numerous air conditioner sensors.
First steps if the air conditioner malfunctions
And then something terrible happened. The indicators are flashing, the “error” letter is displayed on the remote control, the air conditioning has turned off, can you start to panic? In any case, there is no need to panic. First you need to turn off the power to the internal panel of the air conditioner. If a multi-split system is installed in the house, then you need to turn off the power to all of them.
After this, you need to wait 5 minutes and turn it back on. If, after turning it on again, the same error is displayed again, then you should find out what you have to deal with. It is possible that the sensors are broken, but the system is fine. Or perhaps there is not one error, but several.
In this case, Gree air conditioners display the most potentially dangerous error. For greater ease of perception, it is better to conditionally divide the errors that arise according to the indicators responsible for them.
Errors on the air conditioning indicator (E)
Error E0 Gree indicates that the starting voltage is not high enough. That is, most likely, there is simply insufficient voltage “in the outlet”. This is potentially dangerous for an air conditioner, since prolonged exposure to inrush currents on its electrical network can cause overheating, which will “burn” the insulation of the wiring, and then the electrical appliance itself.
If the problem is “in the outlet,” then the problem is solved by purchasing a voltage stabilizer that will bring the voltage to the desired 220V.
But it may also be a problem with the wiring of the air conditioner itself.Therefore, if the network voltage is 220V, but the air conditioner still gives an error E0, then you need to check it.
Error E1 - This is a shutdown to protect the compressor from too high pressure. Error E3 means that the pressure supplied to the compressor is too low.
Sometimes to eliminate E1 It is enough to wash the air conditioner condenser well. If it is not blown enough, this leads to an increase in freon pressure. If the air conditioner has a water condenser, you need to check the water supply. Another possible reason is an excess of freon itself or an unregulated temperature control valve.
Just in case, you should check the valve immediately. It should at least be open. If visually everything is normal, then you will have to call a specialist to adjust the circuit. It is unlikely that you will be able to adjust the valve on your own, without the skills and a pressure gauge (you may also have to adjust the discharge valve) and refill the freon using the scale.
Too low circuit pressure can occur if the evaporator, fan or filter is dirty. That is, the algorithm of actions is exactly the same. First, dirt is removed, and then the contour is adjusted. You also need to check the tightness of the rolling joints. If traces of oil are visible on them, it means the mixture is leaking.
Error E2 means that the indoor unit of the air conditioner may begin to freeze or is already freezing.
Using this error as an example, we can explain the general principle for diagnosing problems related to the compressor (E1-E5):
- Some sensor is triggered, warning of a problem.
- We remove contaminants that can cause temperature extremes. Checking the fan impeller. Does the remote control still give an error?
- Most likely, the problem is in the freon level, loosely welded copper pipes are leaking, or the temperature control valve or discharge valve is incorrectly adjusted.
If this is the case, then most likely you will have to call a specialist. Since we are talking about either something initially wrong air conditioner installation (you will have to re-roll the pipes and refill the air conditioner with freon), or about more serious problems that require replacement of components.
Problems are solved using the same principle E5 (activation of the compressor overload protection sensor) and E4 (activation of the sensor protecting the compressor discharge tube from overheating).
Error E6 indicates that a phase is missing, that is, it is necessary to reconnect the commutations. It is also necessary to check the switching in case of an error H6. By acting consistently and slowly, you can find the problem in the electrical circuit.
Error E7 — the contradiction of the specified modes is typical for multi-split systems. One block of the multi-split system is configured to operate in a mode that contradicts another block of the same system. The air conditioner, to put it simply, is confused.
Error E8 means that the indoor unit motor sensor indicates evaporator overheating. Again, you need to check the temperature control valve and the discharge valve. If they are in order, then perhaps the evaporator is simply running out of freon. Or perhaps the evaporator tubes are clogged.
Disconnection due to error E8 protects against too cold air supply during heating mode. Cold air can lead to the formation of liquid, which, if it gets into the compressor, will almost certainly damage it.
And finally, the error F0 means that the pressure sensor is broken. Most likely, they are.
Errors on the air conditioner cold indicator (F)
Errors in the cold indicator indicate a malfunction of the sensors. But how can this be? After all, it was written above that almost all errors in the operation indicator can be associated with the fact that the sensor is not working correctly.
This is where the priority rule for potentially more dangerous faults comes into play. A compressor that fails as a result of overheating or overload means the final breakdown of the air conditioner. And a failed sensor is only a potential breakdown.
In addition, there are a lot of sensors on Gree air conditioners. Here are just a few of them:
- on the evaporator (error F1)
- on the capacitor (error F2)
- There is a sensor on the outdoor unit that measures outdoor indicators (error F3)
- discharge temperature sensor (error F4)
- compressor discharge tube sensor (error F5), the same tube that can overheat and give an error E4.
If the sensors do not work properly, then they need to be changed, there is no other way out. You can determine whether the temperature sensor is working or not using an ohmmeter or multimeter. They measure the resistance of the sensor. You will also need a thermometer.It measures the air temperature at the moment of measurement.
The standard resistance at a specific temperature of Gree thermisters can be found in the detailed description of the model. In order to measure the resistance of the sensor, it is necessary to remove it from the circuit, so it is better to adequately assess your knowledge of electrical engineering. If you have doubts about them, it is better to call a specialist. At the same time, his multimeter is calibrated.
Error F6 means that the condenser is overheating and the fan is running at low speed. In this case the error F6 does not always mean that the fan is not working well. It could be a freon leak.
Error F7 protects the air conditioner from oil leakage, triggering when it is carried away from the system. Errors F7 And F6 often occur almost simultaneously for the same reason - leakage of working fluid at the roller joints of copper pipes.
It is necessary to carefully inspect the connections; if there are traces of oil on them, you can begin to prepare at least for re-rolling all connections - the air conditioner was installed incorrectly.
Codes F8 And F9 talk about a threat compressor at low speed. F8 - the compressor is overloaded at low speed, F9 - at high discharge temperature and low rotation speed. The reasons for compressor overload in this case can be anything at all. From banal dirt to a burnt-out control board. Therefore, it is better to contact the service immediately.
Error FF indicates a lack of power on one of the phases; the switching needs to be checked.
Errors on the air conditioner heat indicator (H)
The most common problem is the code H1. It's also the easiest to fix.
The air conditioner stopped supplying heat because it turned on the defrosting mode of the external unit. The control sensor of the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit was triggered and the automation turned off the heat supply. It is supplied to the outdoor unit, defrosting it. Defrost - everything will work. If not, then you need to check the serviceability of the sensor and heat exchanger.
Error H2 means that the electrostatic filter, the one that collects dust and other particles circulating in the air, is at risk. This filter can be cleaned. Or replace it with a new one. According to reviews, Gree air conditioner filters are one of the weakest points. So it would be better to learn how to clean them in advance.
To do this, you just need to remove the filter from the air conditioner, rinse in a washing solution, rinse well under running water and dry thoroughly. And then put it back in.
An air conditioner with a dirty filter will be louder and may cause noticeable sparking. So you can take action without waiting for an error H2.
Error H3 protects the compressor from overheating. Overheating, as well as compressor overload, can occur due to leakage of oil, freon or freon and oil. First of all, you need to check the roller connections. Or maybe due to a faulty fan or capacitor.
If there are no traces of oil on the connections, the fan is working normally, and the external unit itself is clean, then you need to calibrate the circuit using the same discharge valve, temperature control valve and pressure gauge.
Error H4 indicates a malfunction. If after restarting the air conditioner does not work, the problem is either in the control board or in incorrect installation.
Code H5 indicates a malfunction of the IPM board of the outdoor unit. If the board is faulty, it needs to be replaced.
Litera H7 means that the compressor fault is indicated by the energy saving inverter (DC Inverter). It is he who is responsible for turning the compressor on and off in inverter split systems. Constant switching on and off will sooner or later affect the operation of the compressor. Error H7 rarely happens for reasons that can be eliminated on your own.
Error H8 means that the automation considers the drainage system to be full of condensate. It is necessary to check the external drainage system. If it is clogged, clean it.
H9 — the problem is in the electric heater. First you need to check if it works. If it does not work, then the reason may be an open circuit. Or the heater has burned out.
Problems H0 And FH clearly indicate the activation of the temperature sensor on the evaporator (H0) or on the evaporator and condenser at low speed. It is necessary to check the refrigeration circuit and the refrigerant level in the circuit as if there were errors E7 And E8. The reasons are exactly the same, only the inverter sensors indicated them.
Error under the letter FH means that the evaporator may freeze. A working air conditioner can solve the problem on its own. If necessary, it needs to be cleaned. Also, the evaporator may freeze due to a freon leak or a malfunction of the valve and circuit valve settings.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Instructions for eliminating error E4 - filling with freon on the scale and re-rolling helped solve the problem:
As is easy to see, some breakdowns can be noticed by all three indicators. The only question is which indicator will notice the breakdown first. Therefore, before you try to correct errors yourself, you need to have a general idea of how the internal and external units of the air conditioner are designed, the principle of operation of the circuit and the principle of connecting the air conditioner to the electrical network.
After this, many questions will disappear by themselves. It will be enough to look at the table and remember what exactly this or that letter means. And then act according to the circumstances.
Air conditioner GREE GWH09NA-K3NNB1A (Standard R410 series)
On the indoor unit: Error U8, the indicator flashes 17 times.
What does this mean and what to do?