Arctic King mini split error code EH 61
Evaporator coil temperature sensor (T2) open or short circuit. Also shown as EH61.
- TypeFault
- SystemTemperature sensor
- Can I fix it?Homeowner checks, then maybe a tech
- Applies toindoor unit display (four-character codes)
What EH 61 means on a Arctic King
The control board is reading the indoor evaporator coil temperature sensor (T2) as open or shorted, which means the thermistor (a small resistor whose resistance changes with temperature) is returning a value outside its normal range. The unit usually stops, or runs with the wrong output, because the control board no longer trusts that temperature reading.
On this platform, EH 61 is a fault: something has failed or is disconnected and needs diagnosis.
Common causes
- The indoor evaporator coil temperature (T2) thermistor has failed (they do drift and fail with age and heat cycling).
- Its plug has worked loose from the control board, or a pin has corroded.
- The sensor lead is chafed, pinched or chewed, giving an intermittent open or short.
- The control board's sensor input has failed (rare compared with the sensor itself).
How to fix it yourself
Work through the checks below first; they resolve most cases. If they do not, the repair itself may need a technician.
- Reset the system: switch the breaker (or the outdoor disconnect) off, wait a full five minutes so the boards fully discharge, then switch it back on and restart from the remote.
- If the code comes straight back after a reset, the fault is real and not a glitch.
- With power off, locate the indoor evaporator coil temperature sensor (T2) in a copper well on the evaporator coil, reachable with the panel and filters removed. Follow its lead back to the board and reseat the plug firmly.
- Inspect the lead for damage along its whole length, especially where it passes through the chassis.
- If you have a multimeter, unplug the sensor and measure its resistance. A reading near zero ohms (short) or infinite (open) confirms a bad sensor. Most mini split thermistors read roughly 5 to 20 kΩ at room temperature, so a value in that range with a steady drift as you warm it in your hand means the sensor is fine and the board is the suspect.
- Replacement thermistors are inexpensive and plug in. Match the part number from the parts list for your model.
Switch off power at the breaker before opening either unit. Capacitors in the outdoor unit hold a charge for several minutes after power is cut.
When to call a technician
Sensor swaps are a doable DIY job on most units. Call a technician if the sensor tests good and the code persists, because that points at the control board.
Which Arctic King units show EH 61
This page applies to Arctic King Arctic King single-zone and Arctic King multi-zone units on the indoor unit display (four-character codes). Arctic King's own documentation lists EH 61 as "Evaporator coil temperature sensor (T2) open or short circuit", the same definition used across the Midea platform (four-character codes) it is built on. If your unit shows a code with a different shape (for example a four-character code, or a plain number), it is from a different table; use the lookup with your exact code.
Where Arctic King shows this code
indoor unit display (four-character codes): The display shows a two-letter prefix and a two-character suffix, either together (EH60) or alternating (EH, then 60). Write both parts down; the suffix is what identifies the fault. EH and EL are indoor-side faults, EC is an outdoor-side fault, and PC is an outdoor protection: the unit stopped itself to prevent damage.
Other Arctic King codes
Same part of the system as EH 61:
EH 61 on other brands
The same characters do not always mean the same thing. Check the brand on your unit.
- Pioneer EH 61 Evaporator coil temperature sensor (T2) open or short circuit
Questions people ask
Can I reset a Arctic King EH 61 code myself?
Yes. Turn the system off at the breaker for five minutes, then restart it. If EH 61 comes back, the fault is real and needs the checks above.
Is it safe to keep running a Arctic King showing EH 61?
The unit will usually refuse to run, or run with reduced output, until the fault is cleared. Repeated resets do not fix anything and can mask a problem that is getting worse.
Do I need a technician for Arctic King EH 61?
Work through the checks below first; they resolve most cases. If they do not, the repair itself may need a technician. Sensor swaps are a doable DIY job on most units. Call a technician if the sensor tests good and the code persists, because that points at the control board.
Sources
- Arctic King mini split owner's manual (error code table)
- Midea residential split service manuals
Updated September 2026. Codes and definitions vary by model year. If your manual disagrees with this page, your manual wins. Send a correction.