Indoor unit shows E3 and stops cooling; outdoor unit may shut down

Safety first: Switch OFF the breaker to the air conditioner before working on the outdoor unit.

• Step 1 – Clear airflow around outdoor unit: Remove leaves, plastic bags, and debris from the condenser coil and surrounding area. Maintain at least 30–60 cm clearance on all sides and above the unit.
• Step 2 – Clean condenser coil: Remove the top grille (if accessible) and gently clean the coil fins with a soft brush or low-pressure water from the inside out. Avoid bending fins.
• Step 3 – Check outdoor fan operation: Restore power and run COOL mode. Confirm the outdoor fan starts and runs at normal speed. If it does not start, hums, or runs slowly, the outdoor fan motor or its capacitor may be defective and should be replaced.
• Step 4 – Check for overcharge or blockage (technician): If airflow and fan are normal but E3 persists, a technician should measure system pressures. Overcharged refrigerant, a blocked expansion device, or non-condensables in the system can cause high pressure and must be corrected professionally.

Warning: High-pressure refrigerant circuits are dangerous. Do not open service valves or connect gauges unless you are trained and certified.