Error 36 in Hisense air conditioners

What error 36 means on a Hisense AC

Error 36 on Hisense air conditioners usually indicates a communication fault between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. In practice, the system detects that the signal is not being transmitted properly through the communication wiring (or that it is intermittent) and enters protection mode. That’s why it may keep running the fan without providing cooling/heating or stop shortly after starting.

This code often appears in situations such as:

• After a power outage or brief power interruptions
• When the outdoor unit has no power or doesn’t “wake up”
• If the communication cable is loose, damaged, or has an intermittent connection
• If there are crossed connections or terminals not tightened correctly (common after installation or any work on the unit)

How to clear 36 and what to check so it doesn’t return

The most efficient approach for error 36 is: do a full reset, confirm power to both units, and if it persists, check the communication line (usually by a technician, since it involves terminals/wiring).

1. Perform a complete electrical reset
   • Turn the unit off with the remote
   • Cut power at the breaker/isolator for the AC
   • Wait 5–10 minutes
   • Restore power and test cooling or heating

   If the issue was a temporary lockup after a brief outage, this reset often clears the fault state.

2. Confirm the outdoor unit has power
   • Check the breaker/RCD (make sure it hasn’t tripped)
   • If the outdoor unit shows no signs of life (no fan, no response), 36 may appear because the indoor unit can’t establish communication
3. Rule out operating/installation conditions that can trigger the warning
   • Make sure the outdoor unit isn’t “choked” and has proper airflow
   • Avoid repeated back-to-back tests: leave 2–3 minutes between start attempts
4. Observe whether the error is constant or intermittent
   • Constant from startup: usually points to outdoor power/communication
   • Intermittent: fits an intermittent connection (loose terminal/affected cable)
5. What NOT to do
   • Don’t handle terminals or open covers if you’re not qualified
   • Don’t “jumper” wires or change connections at random
6. When to call service/a technician
   • 36 returns after a full reset and with correct power supply
   • The outdoor unit has power but the system never starts in cooling/heating
   • The code appears on and off (a common sign of a loose terminal or a cable with an intermittent connection)

   In that case, the usual checks focus on the communication wiring between indoor and outdoor units, terminal tightening, cable continuity, and, if needed, the electronic boards involved in communication.

If error 36 was a one-off power event, it may clear with a full reset. If it returns, the real fix is typically ensuring reliable indoor–outdoor communication (power supply and wiring), since that’s the most common root cause for this code.