Mitsubishi Electric Mini-Split: 3 Flashes
Code 3 blinks: Indoor fan motor error
Soft lockoutShown as: Upper OPERATION INDICATOR lamp blinks 3 times, then 2.5 seconds off, repeating
Indoor fan motor error. The control board is not receiving the rotational speed feedback signal from the indoor fan motor while the fan is supposed to be running.
Manual wording: “Indoor fan motor - The rotational frequency feedback signal is not emitted during the indoor fan operation.”
Documented for: MSZ-GL and MSY-GL indoor units
Likely causes, most common first
- Something is physically blocking the line-flow fan wheel from turning
- Defective indoor fan motor
- Defective indoor electronic control P.C. board
- Loose fan motor connector
What you can safely check yourself
- Turn the system off at the breaker and check that nothing has fallen into the indoor unit air outlet
- Remove and clean the air filters
- Restore power at the breaker once and see if the fan starts
When to call a technician
The indoor fan motor connector carries high voltage. Testing the motor or the board is a technician job.
A Mitsubishi Electric mini-split throwing this code repeatedly has a reason — clearing the code without fixing the cause just hides it.
Source
- Indoor Unit Service Manual No. OBH732 Revised Edition-D - MSZ-GL/MSY-GL Series (Mitsubishi Electric, MSZ-GL06NA/GL09NA/GL12NA/GL15NA/GL18NA/GL24NA and MSY-GL09NA/GL12NA/GL15NA/GL18NA/GL24NA wall-mounted indoor units) · checked 2026-08-25