- HVAC
- Air conditioner
PF
De'Longhi Pinguino PF code: probe failure on the display
Risk level
Medium
Proceed carefully and stop if the check is unclear.
Urgency
High
Quick answer
The PF code with the alarm symbol indicates Probe Failure (a damaged or out-of-range temperature probe): switch the Pinguino off via ON/STAND-BY, verify room temperature and airflow clearance, and contact an authorised De'Longhi service centre.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Do not open the cabinet or attempt to bypass, splice or replace the temperature probe yourself: the manual warns that repairs performed by unauthorised personnel or with non-original parts are hazardous, void the warranty and risk exposure to mains voltage and the sealed refrigerant circuit.
Safe checks you can perform
- Verify that the room temperature is within the operating range stated in the manual
- Check the air intake grille, BioSilver dust filter and air outlet for obstruction
- Perform a single ON/STAND-BY shutdown and 5-minute mains power reset
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Arrange probe testing and replacement by a local De'Longhi authorised service centre
- Do not attempt this professional task: Submit a warranty claim or request a quotation through De'Longhi Customer Support
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.
Arrange probe testing and replacement by a local De'Longhi authorised service centre
What they doWhen PF remains on the control panel, book an inspection with your local De'Longhi authorised service centre so a qualified technician can test the temperature probe and wiring using genuine parts.
They must show youthe measured resistance of the temperature probe, the condition of its plug on the control board and confirmation that PF clears during a full test run.
In writingthe authorised service centre job number, the genuine De'Longhi part reference fitted or re-terminated, and the completed self-diagnosis test result.
Submit a warranty claim or request a quotation through De'Longhi Customer Support
What they doIf the portable air conditioner is within its warranty period or requires a main control board replacement, arrange service through official De'Longhi support with your model and rating plate details without opening the cabinet.
They must show youthe model and serial details on the rating plate and confirmation of whether the probe or PCB fault is covered under the manufacturer warranty.
In writingthe official service case reference, the serial number logged on the job sheet and a written cost estimate before any out-of-warranty work begins.
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.
Verify that the room temperature is within the operating range stated in the manual
- Who:
- you, checking a household room thermometer.
- How:
- check that the ambient temperature lies within De'Longhi's specified operating window (18 to 35 °C for PAC EX series, or 21 to 35 °C for the Water-Air PAC WE112ECO) and that direct sunlight or nearby heat sources are not overheating the cabinet.
- Result that matters:
- ruling out an extreme room temperature pushing the sensor reading outside normal limits.
- If the room was outside the rated temperature window:
- bring the room within range and test a single restart after a few minutes.
- If room temperature is normal and PF stays on the display:
- continue with the external filter check and single power reset.
- Evidence to keep:
- note of the measured room temperature at the time PF appeared on screen.
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)
Check the air intake grille, BioSilver dust filter and air outlet for obstruction
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- with the appliance switched off, ensure the air intake grilles (A6/A8) and air outlet louvre (A1) have at least 50 cm of clearance, and pull out the rear grille to vacuum the dust filter A5 or rinse it in warm water below 40 °C if clogged.
- Result that matters:
- confirming that airflow across the internal heat exchanger and probes is not restricted by dust.
- If dust filter A5 was heavily clogged:
- let it dry completely before refitting it behind the intake grille.
- If the filter and grilles are already clean and unobstructed:
- proceed to a single standby and mains reset.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the cleaned BioSilver filter A5 and clearance around the appliance.
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)
Perform a single ON/STAND-BY shutdown and 5-minute mains power reset
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- press the ON/STAND-BY button, wait a few minutes for the internal fan to stop, unplug the power cord from the wall socket for 5 minutes, and plug it back in once; if PF and the alarm icon return immediately, switch the unit off and leave it unplugged.
- Result that matters:
- determining whether PF was a transient reading glitch or a persistent probe circuit fault.
- If PF clears and cooling resumes normally:
- monitor the display over the next operating cycles.
- If PF and the alarm symbol return right away:
- do not keep resetting the unit and contact an authorised De'Longhi service centre.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the display showing PF and of the appliance rating plate.
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
- codigo PF aire acondicionado DeLonghi
- DeLonghi PAC WE112ECO PF
- DeLonghi PF sensor damaged
- DeLonghi Pinguino PF
- DeLonghi portable AC PF code
- error PF DeLonghi Pinguino
- Pinguino PAC EX130 PF
- Pinguino Probe Failure probe damaged
- Pinguino Probe Failure sonda danada
What it means
In the official self-diagnosis tables for De'Longhi Pinguino PAC EX models (such as PAC EX130 CST WIFI, document 5715117753) and Pinguino Water-Air units (such as PAC WE112ECO, document 5715111411), PF displayed alongside the alarm icon stands for Probe Failure (probe or sensor damaged). Other De'Longhi portable air conditioner families may use different fault codes. The onboard controller monitors the internal temperature probes and halts normal operation when a sensor reading is open-circuit, short-circuit or outside valid limits. The PF code alone never proves the probe itself is defective, as wiring or board connections can produce the same fault.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Higheditorial warning
Do not open the cabinet or attempt to bypass, splice or replace the temperature probe yourself: the manual warns that repairs performed by unauthorised personnel or with non-original parts are hazardous, void the warranty and risk exposure to mains voltage and the sealed refrigerant circuit.
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
- Internal temperature probe reading open-circuit, short-circuit or out of rangeCommon
The Pinguino self-diagnosis system illuminates PF and the alarm symbol whenever an internal temperature sensor signal falls outside the resistance window expected by the electronic controller.
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)
- Loose sensor plug or damaged harness between the probe and the control boardPossible
Rolling the portable air conditioner across floors or moving it between rooms can loosen the probe connector on the main circuit board or chafe its lead without the thermistor capsule itself having failed.
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)
- Electronic control board input fault or operation outside rated room temperature limitsLess common
A fault in the sensing circuit on the main PCB, or attempting to run the unit outside the ambient temperature limits specified in the manual (18 to 35 °C on PAC EX or 21 to 35 °C on PAC WE112ECO), can trigger abnormal probe readings.
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)
Virtual technician
Does PF 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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