- HVAC
- Air conditioner
E3
Daikin E3 on an air conditioner: high pressure switch tripped
Risk level
High
Professional inspection is recommended.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
On Daikin splits, E3 means the outdoor unit high pressure switch has actuated, a protection of the refrigerant circuit. Confirm the code, check without opening anything that the outdoor unit can breathe and call a certified refrigeration technician.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- The FTXJ-A guide points out that the R32 in these units is mildly flammable and that refrigerant circuit parts must not be pierced or burned. With E3, do not open the outdoor unit or try to clean the exchanger from inside.
- Daikin leaves resetting a code like E3 to a licensed installer or your dealer, once it is understood why the pressure switch actuated.
Safe checks you can perform
- Confirm E3 on the remote
- Look around the outdoor unit
- Note when E3 trips
- Circuit and switch diagnosis (technician)
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Measure pressures before blaming the switch
- Do not attempt this professional task: Clean the outdoor heat exchanger
- Do not attempt this professional task: Work on the circuit with recovery
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Measure pressures before blaming the switch
What they doThe technician fits gauges and compares high side pressure with the switch trip before proposing a replacement.
They must show youthe pressures read in the mode where E3 tripped and the result of the switch test.
In writingE3, measured pressures, switch condition and the part replaced with the reason.
Clean the outdoor heat exchanger
What they doIf the outdoor heat exchanger is dirty, cleans it following Daikin's instructions without damaging the fins.
They must show youthe outdoor heat exchanger before and after cleaning.
In writingthat the exchanger was cleaned, how and on what date.
Work on the circuit with recovery
What they doIf the refrigerant piping is blocked, recovers the refrigerant, repairs, evacuates and recharges the amount on the nameplate.
They must show youthe refrigerant recovery and the vacuum before charging.
In writingkg of refrigerant recovered and charged, refrigerant type and the repair done.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Confirm E3 on the remote
- Who:
- you, with the remote of the unit that stopped on E3.
- How:
- find the remote's self-diagnosis (on the FTXJ-A series, from the software version screen with the button held for 5 seconds) and step through the codes with the remote aimed at the indoor unit until a long beep sounds.
- Result that matters:
- making sure the long beep goes with E3 and not with a similar code such as E1 or E5.
- If the long beep goes with E3, leave the unit off and continue with these E3 checks.
- If the long beep goes with another code, leave this E3 page and read the page for that code.
- Evidence to keep:
- a photo of the remote with E3, the date, time and mode it stopped in.
Evidence: Daikin FTXJ-A installer reference guide — English
Look around the outdoor unit
- Who:
- you, from outside without opening panels or touching the fins.
- How:
- with the unit off, check that no leaves, plastic, boxes or plants are covering the outdoor unit air inlet or outlet; Daikin asks for enough space for servicing and air circulation and for ventilation openings to stay clear.
- Result that matters:
- knowing whether something outside was stopping the outdoor unit from rejecting heat.
- If something was covering the outdoor unit, remove it by hand and tell the technician before using the unit again.
- If the surroundings are clear, internal dirt on the exchanger, the switch or the piping are left to the technician.
- Evidence to keep:
- photos of the outdoor unit and of whatever was covering it, with the date.
Evidence: Daikin simple self-diagnosis U4 malfunction code · Daikin FTXJ-A installer reference guide — English
Note when E3 trips
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- write down whether E3 appeared in cooling or heating, at roughly what outdoor temperature and how long the unit had been running.
- Result that matters:
- a history that helps the technician link the switch tripping to mode and workload.
- If E3 appears on the hottest days in cooling, mention it, because it points to heat rejection at the outdoor unit.
- If E3 appears in any conditions, say so, because it points more to the switch or its connector.
- Evidence to keep:
- a list of E3 trips with date, mode, temperature and run time.
Evidence: Daikin simple self-diagnosis U4 malfunction code
Circuit and switch diagnosis (technician)
- Who:
- certified refrigeration technician with gauges for the R32 circuit.
- How:
- with power off, checks the high pressure switch connector and continuity; then measures pressures with gauges, inspects the outdoor heat exchanger and looks for blockages in the refrigerant piping.
- Result that matters:
- finding whether the cut-out comes from real high pressure, a faulty switch or poor contact.
- If pressure is normal and the switch opens for no reason, the switch is replaced or the connector fixed.
- If pressure really is high, the exchanger is cleaned or the circuit blockage is dealt with.
- Evidence to keep:
- a report with measured pressures, exchanger condition, switch test and work done.
Work on an R32 refrigerant circuit, mildly flammable, and with mains voltage, reserved for an F-gas certified technician.
Evidence: Daikin simple self-diagnosis U4 malfunction code · Daikin FTXJ-A installer reference guide — English
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- HVAC
- Brand
- Daikin
- Product type
- Air conditioner
Known code variants
- Candy 3 flashes
- Candy 3 parpadeos
- Candy dishwasher 3 flashes
- Candy dishwasher E3
- Candy dishwasher error E3
- Candy dishwasher not draining
- Candy dishwasher water left in bottom E3
- Candy lavadora E3
- Candy lavavajillas E3
- Candy washer E3
- Candy washer not draining
- Candy washing machine error E3
- Daikin E3
- E03
- E 3
- error E3 lavadora Candy
- error E3 lavavajillas Candy
- error E3 lavavajillas Haier
- Haier dishwasher E3
- Haier dishwasher error E3
- Haier dishwasher not draining
- Haier lavavajillas E3
- lavadora Candy no desagua
- lavavajillas Candy 3 parpadeos
- lavavajillas Candy agua en el fondo E3
- lavavajillas Candy no desagua
- lavavajillas Haier no desagua
What it means
In the Daikin FTXJ-A installer reference guide, E3 is "Outdoor unit: Actuation of high pressure switch". Daikin's self-diagnosis table for room air conditioners (RA) links E3 to a dirty outdoor heat exchanger, the switch itself, clogged refrigerant piping or poor connector contact. The switch cuts out to protect the circuit. On other Daikin models E3 may stand for another protection. E3 is not enough to prove that a specific part is faulty.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Highsource verified
The FTXJ-A guide points out that the R32 in these units is mildly flammable and that refrigerant circuit parts must not be pierced or burned. With E3, do not open the outdoor unit or try to clean the exchanger from inside.
Evidence: Daikin FTXJ-A installer reference guide — English
- Mediumsource verified
Daikin leaves resetting a code like E3 to a licensed installer or your dealer, once it is understood why the pressure switch actuated.
Evidence: Daikin FTXJ-A installer reference guide — English
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Dirty outdoor heat exchangerCommon
Daikin names a dirty outdoor unit heat exchanger first, which makes it harder to reject heat and raises pressure.
Evidence: Daikin simple self-diagnosis U4 malfunction code
- Faulty high pressure switchPossible
The high pressure switch itself may be defective and cut out without excessive pressure; the technician tests it.
Evidence: Daikin simple self-diagnosis U4 malfunction code
- Clogged refrigerant pipingPossible
Daikin's table includes a blockage in the refrigerant piping, which only a refrigeration technician with gauges can diagnose.
Evidence: Daikin simple self-diagnosis U4 malfunction code
- Poor connector contactPossible
A connector with poor contact between the switch and the PCB is also among the E3 causes in Daikin's table.
Evidence: Daikin simple self-diagnosis U4 malfunction code
Virtual technician
Does E3 still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
Daikin simple self-diagnosis U4 malfunction code
Daikin · manual
- 2
Daikin FTXJ-A installer reference guide — English
Daikin Europe N.V. · 2022 · official_doc
- 3
Daikin FTXJ-A — guía de referencia del instalador
Daikin Europe N.V. · 2022 · official_doc
Was this entry useful?