Grabbing a portable unit is a great compromise if you’re not fortunate enough to have a hefty, built-in air conditioning unit. The installation is easy, you can move the machine from apartment to apartment, and it actually works!
The little devices are great at cooling the circulating air in the room, grabbing any humidity from the air, and pushing it outside via a hose. But if your portable air conditioning unit starts acting up at an inopportune moment, you can begin to break a sweat.
A few common issues arise with Hisense portable air conditioners, and we’ve collated a few ways to fix them.
So keep reading to learn what the E5 error code means and other common issues with your Hisense portable air conditioner.

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Hisense portable air conditioners are super handy and work well. However, they are slightly fussy machines and can choose to stop working for a multitude of reasons.
One of the most common causes is because of an E5 error code. This code requires the user to empty the water collection basket because the unit indicates it is at capacity. Once you empty it, reset the machine and put the basket back in.
After that, the device should no longer display the error code and be back up and running. However, if this isn’t the case, there are a few other common causes and fixes.
So keep reading to find out what the issue may be and how to fix it.
7 Most Common Faults and Fixes with Hisense Portable Air Conditioner.
The unit is not blowing cold air.
If the unit isn’t blowing cold air, the machine is pretty useless. However, we want to help you avoid paying costly repair bills and help you fix the problem yourself.
So, to troubleshoot the problem, try these steps:
- Check that the temperature the unit is set at is lower than the room’s temperature. You may be misjudging the temperature and have the temperature on the air conditioning unit set too high; thus, it won’t be in operation.
- Check the rear side of the unit to ensure that warm air is being blown out. Additionally, check that the exhaust hose is fully positioned out of the window and is not constricted in any way.
- Listen to see if you can hear the compressor start working after you start up the machine. Sometimes the machine can delay by up to seven minutes, but it should be on after this time. If it’s not, you may need to try to connect it to a different outlet to test if there is a power issue.
The Front Display Isn’t Working.
Hopefully, this issue is simply caused by the dimmer button being accidentally pressed. Locate the remote, and press the dimmer button. Hopefully, the display will awaken.
If this doesn’t work, the issue might be more complex and caused by a computer error. Unfortunately, this isn’t easy to fix yourself, and you will need to consult Hisense for assistance.

The Hisense Unit isn’t Cooling Completely.
If the power is on, but the unit will not cool, first check that the conditioner is the right size for the space you are trying to cool.
Then, check that the window exhaust hose is properly connected to the window kit and your unit.
Afterward, ensure that the unit is set to ‘cool’ mode. To ensure the unit isn’t set to smart mode, press the mode button three times to quit this to exit, and reenter cool mode.
Thirdly, set the temperature to 61 degrees Fahrenheit by pressing the minus button, and set the fan speed to high.
It’s a good idea to service the machine regularly by cleaning the filter every two weeks to ensure proper functioning, so do this step if you haven’t cleaned the filter recently.
How to clean the filter:
- Open the back of the panel door, and remove the filter.
- Remove the tapping screw from the bottom filter panel door to remove the filter.
- Use a vacuum to clean the filter.
- If the filter is filthy, wash it with a gentle sponge, mild detergent, and warm water. Properly rinse the filter afterward to ensure no soap residue remains.
- Thoroughly air dry the filter before placing it back into the unit.
- Put the filter back into the machine.
Hisense air conditioner keeps turning off.
First, check to see if the unit is set to smart mode. In smart mode, the unit detects and responds to the room’s temperature instead of reaching the target temperature you have selected. So make sure it is set to cool mode.
You should also check that no objects obstruct the machine by moving the unit away from walls and furniture.
The unit may also have reached the target temperature, so try setting a lower target temperature.
Hisense portable air conditioner is showing error code E5.
Error codes never fill you with joy and can make you scared there is a more significant issue afoot. But worry not; the E5 code isn’t a bad one.
The E5 code on the Hisense portable air conditioner means the bucket is full and it needs emptying.
Simply remove the bucket, empty it into the drain, and place it back into the machine. Once you empty it, you need to turn the unit on and off again to reset the error light.
If the error code persists after emptying the bucket and restarting the machine, turn the device off once again. Then, unplug it and wait for at least 10 minutes. After some time, plug it back in again, and it should be gone.
If the E5 error code still persists, you may need to get the machine seen by a professional.
Hisense portable air conditioner compressor is not working.
One of the most common causes for a compressor not working is that it has gone into protection mode. If the ambient room temperature is lower than your target temperature set, the compressor will shut down.
Try lowering the target temperature, waiting 10-20 minutes, and see what happens.
Alternatively, you may have an issue with power. Try connecting the unit to a different electrical outlet to see if this is the problem.
If in doubt, to get the compressor running, always try these steps:
- Ensure the temperature is set lower than the ambient temperature of the room.
- Clean the filter.
- Ensure there is plenty of space around the unit for proper ventilation.
- Ensure that the vent hose is connected properly, with no kinks or leaks.

The remote control isn’t working.
Although the solution may seem obvious, the first thing to do is change the batteries. The remote uses very little power, and the batteries can last for months. So it can be easy to forget to change them until the remote fully stops responding.
If you change the batteries and the remote still doesn’t work, you can get in touch with Hisense to get a replacement remote control.
If in doubt, you should clean the filter, check the hose and reset the machine. To reset the machine, follow these steps:
- First, turn the unit off, and leave it for at least 30 seconds.
- Next, unplug the machine, and leave it again for another 30 seconds.
- Plug the machine back in.
- Finally, turn the machine back on.
To Summarize.
It’s pretty stressful when you need a powerful dose of air conditioning, and your machine decides to malfunction. If it’s hot in your home, and all you want is a blast of cold air, it can be difficult to calm down and think straight.
Fortunately, there are lots of common causes for a Hisense portable air conditioning unit to malfunction and stop working. We have provided most of the probable causes and the best fixes to get the unit back up and running.
The E5 code is simple; it means that you need to empty the water collection basket.
Once you do this, the machine should be back in working order, and the code should disappear.
Farah Zeb is a mother of five, including two children with special needs. She shares practical parenting tips and resources to help other families navigate daily challenges and create supportive, nurturing environments.