- HVAC
- Air conditioner
HL
De'Longhi Pinguino HL code: internal condensate tray full
Risk level
Low
Usually safe to check without specialist tools.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
The HL code with the alarm icon means High Level (the internal condensate safety tray is full): switch the unit off with the ON/STAND-BY button, unplug it from the mains, and drain the rear discharge hose into a container.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Never turn the portable air conditioner upside down or onto its side to empty the internal tray, and never open the outer casing: the sealed system contains refrigerant and live electrical parts that must only be serviced by a manufacturer-authorised centre.
Safe checks you can perform
- Switch the Pinguino off via ON/STAND-BY and unplug it before moving or draining
- Drain the internal safety tray through the rear discharge hose into a basin or jug
- Confirm the unit remained upright and was never laid on its side while draining
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Book an authorised De'Longhi service inspection if HL recurs repeatedly in cooling mode
- Do not attempt this professional task: Replace damaged drain caps or arrange a workshop check after accidental tilting
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.
Book an authorised De'Longhi service inspection if HL recurs repeatedly in cooling mode
What they doIf the HL alarm keeps returning in cooling mode after you have emptied the internal tray following the end-of-season draining procedure, contact your local authorised De'Longhi service centre without opening the casing.
They must show youthe condition of the internal condensate evaporation system, the tray level sensor and a trouble-free cooling test run.
In writingthe authorised service job reference, the verified cause of the recurring HL alarm and written confirmation of the drainage test.
Replace damaged drain caps or arrange a workshop check after accidental tilting
What they doIf the outer screw cap or inner rubber stopper on the rear drain spout is missing or leaking, or if the unit fails to cool properly after being laid on its side and rested for 24 hours, have an authorised technician inspect it using genuine parts.
They must show youa leak-free seal on rear drain spout A10 or drain hose U and normal compressor performance after settling.
In writingthe part numbers of any genuine De'Longhi replacement caps or components fitted and the written service report.
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.
Switch the Pinguino off via ON/STAND-BY and unplug it before moving or draining
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- press the ON/STAND-BY button (C1 on PAC EX models or button 15/16 on Water-Air units) and wait a few minutes until the internal fan stops completely before pulling the plug from the wall socket; never shut the appliance down by pulling directly on the power cord.
- Result that matters:
- that the compressor and fan come to a safe standstill before any water is drained from the rear spout.
- If the unit powers down normally into standby:
- proceed to empty the rear drain hose.
- If the plug was pulled without using ON/STAND-BY first:
- leave the unit unplugged for a few minutes before handling.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the control panel showing HL and the alarm symbol prior to switching off.
Evidence: De'Longhi Pinguino PAC EX130 CST WIFI Instruction Manual (5715117753, self-diagnosis HL, PF, Lt and CF) · De'Longhi Pinguino Water-Air PAC WE112ECO Instruction Manual (5715111411, self-diagnosis Lh, Lt, PF and HL)
Drain the internal safety tray through the rear discharge hose into a basin or jug
- Who:
- you, with a shallow basin, jug or 2-litre bottle.
- How:
- position a basin, jug or 2-litre bottle beneath the rear water drain hose (A10 on PAC EX) or the total drain tube (U/G on PAC WE112ECO), unscrew the outer cap anticlockwise, remove the inner rubber stopper, let all water flow out completely, and refit both caps securely.
- Result that matters:
- that the internal safety tray is completely emptied and the HL alarm clears when power is restored.
- If collected water drains out and HL disappears on restart:
- the alert was simply due to accumulated condensate.
- If HL reappears repeatedly in cooling mode right after draining:
- contact your local authorised De'Longhi service centre.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the drained water volume and of the rear drain spout with both caps refitted.
Evidence: De'Longhi Pinguino PAC EX130 CST WIFI Instruction Manual (5715117753, self-diagnosis HL, PF, Lt and CF) · De'Longhi Pinguino Water-Air PAC WE112ECO Instruction Manual (5715111411, self-diagnosis Lh, Lt, PF and HL)
Confirm the unit remained upright and was never laid on its side while draining
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- check that the portable air conditioner was never tipped upside down or laid on its side to speed up draining; the PAC EX manual states that if the unit has been tilted onto its side, you must stand it upright and wait at least 6 hours (24 hours is recommended) before turning it back on.
- Result that matters:
- that compressor oil stays properly settled before the refrigeration circuit restarts.
- If the appliance stayed upright throughout the draining step:
- you can plug it back in and restart immediately.
- If the cabinet was accidentally laid on its side:
- leave it standing upright for 6 to 24 hours before pressing ON/STAND-BY.
- Evidence to keep:
- note of the time the cabinet was stood upright before reconnecting mains power.
Evidence: De'Longhi Pinguino PAC EX130 CST WIFI Instruction Manual (5715117753, self-diagnosis HL, PF, Lt and CF) · De'Longhi Pinguino Water-Air PAC WE112ECO Instruction Manual (5715111411, self-diagnosis Lh, Lt, PF and HL)
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
- De'Longhi
- Product type
- Air conditioner
Known code variants
- aire acondicionado portatil DeLonghi HL
- cuba interna llena DeLonghi HL
- DeLonghi HL alarm symbol
- DeLonghi PAC WE112ECO HL
- DeLonghi Pinguino HL
- DeLonghi portable AC HL error
- Pinguino High Level bandeja interna llena
- Pinguino High Level internal tray full
- Pinguino PAC EX130 HL
What it means
In official De'Longhi Pinguino PAC EX manuals (such as PAC EX130 CST WIFI, document 5715117753) and Pinguino Water-Air manuals (such as PAC WE112ECO, document 5715111411), HL shown alongside the alarm symbol stands for High Level (internal tray full). Display conventions can differ on other Pinguino generations. Under standard cooling conditions the appliance self-evaporates moisture through the air exhaust hose, but high ambient humidity, heating mode operation or switching to air-air mode after depleting the water tank fills the internal safety tray. Seeing HL alone never proves that a component has failed.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Higheditorial warning
Never turn the portable air conditioner upside down or onto its side to empty the internal tray, and never open the outer casing: the sealed system contains refrigerant and live electrical parts that must only be serviced by a manufacturer-authorised centre.
Evidence: De'Longhi Pinguino PAC EX130 CST WIFI Instruction Manual (5715117753, self-diagnosis HL, PF, Lt and CF) · De'Longhi Pinguino Water-Air PAC WE112ECO Instruction Manual (5715111411, self-diagnosis Lh, Lt, PF and HL)
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Condensate water filling the internal safety tray in high humidity or heating modeCommon
When room humidity exceeds the rate at which moisture can be expelled with the hot exhaust air, or when the appliance runs in heating mode on supported models, excess condensate collects in the bottom internal tray until the HL float switch triggers.
Evidence: De'Longhi Pinguino PAC EX130 CST WIFI Instruction Manual (5715117753, self-diagnosis HL, PF, Lt and CF) · De'Longhi Pinguino Water-Air PAC WE112ECO Instruction Manual (5715111411, self-diagnosis Lh, Lt, PF and HL)
- Continued operation in air-air mode after the main water tank runs dry on Water-Air unitsPossible
On Water-Air models such as the PAC WE112ECO, running out of water in WATER mode triggers three beeps and switches the machine to air-air operation; continued dehumidification of humid room air then fills the roughly 2-litre internal safety tank.
Evidence: De'Longhi Pinguino Water-Air PAC WE112ECO Instruction Manual (5715111411, self-diagnosis Lh, Lt, PF and HL)
- Recurring HL alarm in cooling mode immediately after draining the internal trayLess common
The official PAC EX self-diagnosis table notes that if the HL message keeps returning in cooling mode right after you have emptied the internal tray, the condensate evaporation path or level sensing assembly may need inspection by an authorised service centre.
Evidence: De'Longhi Pinguino PAC EX130 CST WIFI Instruction Manual (5715117753, self-diagnosis HL, PF, Lt and CF)
Virtual technician
Does HL 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
De'Longhi · 2026 · official_doc
- 2
De'Longhi · 2026 · official_doc
- 3
De'Longhi · 2026 · official_doc
- 4
De'Longhi · 2026 · official_doc
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