Tempstar mini split error code F9
High discharge temperature frequency limiting (protection).
- TypeProtection
- SystemCompressor / inverter
- Can I fix it?Usually a homeowner fix
- Applies toDLC4 / DLF4 series, 2013 to 2015 (Gree-built)
What F9 means on a Tempstar
The compressor is being slowed because its discharge temperature is climbing. The unit keeps running at reduced output.
On this platform, F9 is a protection: the system stopped or throttled itself to prevent damage; many clear on their own once conditions return to normal.
Common causes
- Low refrigerant charge.
- A dirty outdoor coil.
- Extreme heat.
How to fix it yourself
You can almost always clear this yourself with the steps below.
- Look at the outdoor unit: clear leaves, cottonwood fluff, snow or ice from the coil and make sure the fan can spin freely and nothing is stacked against the cabinet.
- If it happens often in mild weather, suspect low charge (see E4).
- Anything inside the refrigerant circuit (sensors are fine, but valves, compressors and leaks are not) needs EPA-certified refrigerant handling. That is a technician job.
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
Frequent F9 in mild weather should get a charge check.
Which Tempstar units show F9
This page applies to Tempstar DLCSRA / DLCSRB / DLCLRA outdoor with DLFSHA / DLFSFA indoor (2015 and later) and DLC4 / DLF4 (2013 to 2015) units on the DLC4 / DLF4 series, 2013 to 2015 (Gree-built). Tempstar's own documentation lists F9 as "High discharge temperature frequency limiting (protection)", the same definition used across the Gree platform 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 Tempstar shows this code
DLC4 / DLF4 series, 2013 to 2015 (Gree-built): The code shows on the indoor unit's display in place of the temperature. If the display is off, press the Light button on the remote. Some models also count out the code as indicator blinks. E codes are system protections and faults, F codes are mostly sensor faults, H codes are outdoor and compressor protections, U codes are motor and valve faults, and P codes are power-supply faults.
Other Tempstar codes
Same part of the system as F9:
F9 on other brands
The same characters do not always mean the same thing. Check the brand on your unit.
- Blueridge F9 High discharge temperature frequency limiting (protection)
- Zone Air F9 Module test circuit temperature fault
Questions people ask
Can I reset a Tempstar F9 code myself?
Yes. Turn the system off at the breaker for five minutes, then restart it. If F9 comes back, the fault is real and needs the checks above.
Is it safe to keep running a Tempstar showing F9?
Not repeatedly. A protection code means the unit stopped itself to prevent damage, and resetting it over and over can turn a cheap repair into a compressor failure. Reset once, check the basics, and stop if it returns.
Do I need a technician for Tempstar F9?
You can almost always clear this yourself with the steps below. Frequent F9 in mild weather should get a charge check.
Sources
- ICP DLCSRA Outdoor Unit Single Zone Ductless Service Manual 32808000801 (error code table)
- ICP ductless installation instructions IM-KSAIC04-04 (DLCPRA / DLCSRB / DLCERB / DLCLRA error codes)
- ICP R-410A Ductless Split System Service Manual 421 01 9204 00 (DLC4 / DLF4, 2013)
Updated September 2026. Codes and definitions vary by model year. If your manual disagrees with this page, your manual wins. Send a correction.