Freeze-Up or High Pressure Control (Indoor Heat Exchanger)

Home Appliance Error Codes Daikin Split AC

Can you still use it? With care until repaired

Who can fix it? Needs a technician

Typical repair time 30 minutes – 4 hours

Typical cost SAR 80 to 1,100

What it means

This code appears on Daikin split, ducted and cassette air conditioners and means the indoor heat exchanger temperature has left its safe range: in cooling it drops so low that ice starts forming on the evaporator, and in heating it rises and pushes pressure up. The unit stops the compressor for protection and then tries to resume. The same code can mean something else on other brands.

Models covered: Daikin split air conditioners and Daikin ducted/cassette (SkyAir) units, which share the same error code system; the code shows on the wired remote or via the wireless remote check function.

Symptoms4

Weak cooling, then the compressor stops and A5 appears.
Frost or ice on the indoor unit pipes or evaporator.
Water dripping from the indoor unit as the ice melts.
Clearly reduced airflow from the indoor unit.

Possible causes6

Very dirty air filters or a dust-clogged evaporator reducing airflow.
Low refrigerant charge caused by a leak.
A weak indoor fan or dirty fan blades.
Running the unit at the lowest set temperature and lowest fan speed for long periods.
A faulty indoor heat exchanger thermistor giving a false reading.
An electronic expansion valve fault or a restriction in the refrigerant circuit.

How to diagnose5

Switch the unit off, let the ice melt fully, clean the filters and restart.
Make sure the indoor air inlet and outlet are not blocked by curtains or furniture.
A technician checks the evaporator for dirt and the indoor fan speed.
The technician measures system pressures and pipe temperatures against Daikin specifications to confirm the charge.
The technician measures the heat exchanger thermistor and compares it with the manufacturer table.

How to fix5

Clean or wash the filters, and use a higher fan speed with low set temperatures.
Wash the evaporator and indoor unit fully if they are dirty.
Repair the indoor fan, or replace the heat exchanger thermistor if it is proven faulty.
If the charge is low, a licensed technician must find and repair the leak, then recharge to the correct amount.
Run and test the unit and confirm no ice forms and the code does not return.

Repair cost

0–200

200–600

600–1,500

1,500+

In Saudi riyals; the highlighted part is the expected range for this fault.

Dirty filters are a common cause and cheap to fix; the cost rises when a refrigerant leak must be repaired and the system recharged.

Prices are rough estimates including the part and the technician’s fee, and vary with brand, model and part source.
Prices last updated: September 2026

Frequently asked questions

Is cleaning the filter enough to fix A5?

Often yes, because a blocked filter reduces airflow over the evaporator so it gets too cold and freezes. If the code returns after cleaning, the refrigerant charge and fan should be checked.

Can I just top up refrigerant without fixing a leak?

No. A low charge means a leak, and recharging without repairing it brings the problem back quickly. Leak repair and recharging are for a licensed technician only.

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This guide is for information only and does not replace an inspection by a qualified technician. If the fault involves brakes, steering, engine temperature, electrics or refrigerant, do not attempt the repair yourself.

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