On Rivacold Blocksystem monoblocks, E1, E2 and E3 are probe errors, E4 is a repeated heat alarm, E5 a repeated high pressure switch alarm and E6 a repeated low pressure switch alarm. HI and LO are high and low temperature alarms, Ec means the condenser needs cleaning and Od that the door has been open too long. E4, E5 and E6 stop the unit until it is switched off and on, but they mean the same fault has tripped repeatedly, so it needs an engineer.
Newer Rivacold units fitted with the XW470K controller use a different set, with P1 to P4 for probes and HA and LA for temperature alarms. The tables below come from Rivacold's own manuals for both.
At a glance
| Code | What Rivacold says it means | What to do first |
|---|---|---|
| E1 | Cold room probe temperature error | Call an engineer. The compressor runs on a cycle until the probe is fixed |
| E2 | End defrosting probe error | Call an engineer. Defrost ends on time |
| E4 | Repeated heat alarm | Call an engineer |
| E5 | Repeated HP pressure switch alarm | Check the condenser is clean and not obstructed, then call an engineer |
| E6 | Repeated LP pressure switch alarm | Call an engineer |
| HI, LO | High or low temperature alarm | Check the door, the load and the set point |
| Ec | Condenser cleaning alarm | Clean the condenser, or have it cleaned |
| Od | Door open timeout alarm | Close the door |
Source: Rivacold use and maintenance manuals for Blocksystem monoblocks and the RIVC000001 control card.
How Rivacold shows an alarm
According to Rivacold's manual for Blocksystem units with the RIVC000001 card, in an alarm the control alternates the alarm code with the temperature on the display, shows several alarms in succession if there is more than one, switches on the alarm LED and triggers the alarm relay. Some alarms only blink the LED.
Pressing any button deactivates the relay and makes the LED blink, but the code stays on the display. The LED and the code only clear when the cause has ceased.
Rivacold Blocksystem and RIVC000001 alarm codes
The same alarm table appears in Rivacold's manuals for the RIVC000001 card and for Blocksystem FA and FT monoblocks.
| Code | What Rivacold says it means | What happens and how it resets |
|---|---|---|
| E1 | Cold room probe temperature error | If the probe is used for control, the compressor is activated cyclically and defrost cycles are disabled. Resets automatically when the condition ceases |
| E2 | End defrosting probe error | Defrosting ends on a timeout. Resets automatically |
| E3 | Third probe error (condenser temperature, or second evaporator temperature) | Controls linked to that probe are disabled, or defrosting ends on a timeout. Resets automatically |
| E4 | Repeated heat alarm | Adjustment is disabled permanently. Resets at switch on |
| E5 | Repeated HP pressure switch alarm | Adjustment is disabled permanently. Resets at switch on |
| E6 | Repeated LP pressure switch alarm | Adjustment is disabled permanently. Resets at switch on |
| LO | Low temperature alarm | Resets automatically when the condition ceases |
| HI | High temperature alarm | Resets automatically when the condition ceases |
| EE | Data saving alarm | Default parameters are loaded. Resets at power-on or once the parameter has been stored |
| Ec | Condenser cleaning alarm | LED blinks. Resets automatically |
| Er | Network alarm | The alarm is passed from the master to the other units in a network. Resets automatically |
| Ed | Defrosting timeout alarm | LED blinks. Resets automatically at the start of the next defrost |
| Od | Door open timeout alarm | Normal operation is enabled again. Resets automatically when the door closes |
A single heat, high pressure or low pressure trip does not show a code: Rivacold's table notes that there is no reading on the display for the first trip, and adjustment is disabled until the condition clears. Only when it repeats does the unit show E4, E5 or E6 and stop permanently.
Several displays are signals rather than alarms: OFF means the unit is in standby, dF that defrosting is in progress, and dFu that a defrost was not performed because the evaporator was already cold enough. On networked units, codes such as Ux, u0 and nx relate to master and slave units losing contact or reporting an alarm.
Rivacold units with the XW470K controller
Rivacold's instructions for the XW470K controller, published in German by Rivacold, list these alarms. The descriptions below are our translation.
| Code | What it means | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| P1 | Cold room probe fault, check the connection | The compressor runs a cycle of 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off |
| P2 | Defrost probe fault, check the connection | Defrost duration follows the maximum defrost time parameter |
| P3, P4 | Probe P3 or P4 fault | The machine operates normally |
| HA, LA | High or low temperature alarm | The machine operates normally. Resets automatically |
| HA2, LA2 | Second high or low temperature threshold | The machine operates normally |
| PA | Lock-out by pressure switch, after repeated trips within a set period | All outputs switch off. The power supply must be interrupted to reset it |
| dA | Door open | Compressor and fans can switch off and the cold room light switches on |
| EA | Compressor motor protection breaker tripped | The compressor in alarm switches off. The breaker needs attention |
| EE | Faulty EEPROM memory | All outputs off. The board must be replaced |
| nod, noL | The keyboard cannot communicate with the controller | Check the wiring and call service |
On the XW470K, Rivacold says pressing any key switches off the buzzer, and each alarm resets automatically when the condition is restored, apart from those that need the power interrupted or a part replaced.
What you can do safely
- Keep the condenser clean. Rivacold's manual says to clean the condenser regularly, at least every month, removing all dust and grease, and more often in a dusty room. A dirty condenser is a common route to high pressure and heat alarms.
- Check the evaporator weekly. Rivacold says to make sure the evaporator is clean and free of ice, and if it is clogged with ice, to run a manual defrost by holding the UP key for more than 10 seconds.
- Close the door. HI and Od often have nothing more behind them than a door left open during a delivery.
- Switch off before cleaning. Rivacold is clear that all cleaning and maintenance must only be done with the unit switched off and disconnected from the power supply.
Rivacold also warns against restoring factory settings on the control card unless strictly necessary, and then only with a Rivacold technical engineer's help.
When to call an engineer
- E4, E5 or E6. Switching the unit off and on clears them, but the fault has already tripped repeatedly, and running again without a fix risks the compressor and the stock.
- Any probe error: E1, E2 or E3, or P1 and P2 on the XW470K.
- HI that returns with the door shut and the condenser clean.
- EE on the XW470K, or a PA lock-out.
Our cold room repair team works on Rivacold monoblocks and split systems across London. For a cold room that will not hold temperature, our cold room diagnostic guide walks through the checks an engineer makes, and our comparison of monoblock and split systems explains how Rivacold's monoblocks work.
Questions people ask about Rivacold error codes
What does E5 mean on a Rivacold unit?
On Rivacold Blocksystem units, E5 is a repeated HP pressure switch alarm: the high pressure switch has tripped more than once. Adjustment is disabled permanently until the unit is switched off and on, but the cause, often a dirty condenser or a fan fault, needs an engineer.
What does E1 mean on a Rivacold?
E1 is a cold room probe temperature error. The compressor runs cyclically and defrost is disabled while the probe is faulty, so the cold room keeps some cooling, but it is no longer controlled to temperature. It needs an engineer.
What does Ec mean on a Rivacold?
Ec is the condenser cleaning alarm. The condenser needs cleaning, which Rivacold recommends at least every month, and the alarm resets automatically when the condition clears.
How do I reset a Rivacold alarm?
Pressing any button silences the relay, but the code stays until the cause ceases. Most alarms then reset automatically. E4, E5 and E6 reset when the unit is switched on again, and on the XW470K a PA lock-out needs the power interrupting.
What does HI mean on a Rivacold cold room?
HI is the high temperature alarm. It resets automatically when the temperature returns to normal. Check the door is closing properly, the room is not overloaded and the condenser is clean, then call an engineer if it returns.
Where can I find a Rivacold manual?
Rivacold publishes manuals and catalogues on its downloads page. Use the model and control card printed on your unit to find the right document, because codes differ between controllers.
Keeping a Rivacold cold room running
Rivacold's own maintenance advice does most of the work: a clean condenser, an evaporator free of ice and a door that closes. When a code comes back, especially E5, call an engineer rather than switching it off and on again. Planned refrigeration maintenance keeps the condenser clean on schedule.
Last updated: 4 November 2026
Written by
Ali Elm
Ali is the Head of Operations at Be Cool Refrigeration with over a decade of hands-on experience in HVAC and commercial refrigeration. He oversees every installation, repair, and maintenance project, making sure the work meets the highest standards. Ali holds full F-Gas certification and has worked across residential, commercial, and industrial refrigeration systems throughout London and the South East. When he is not on site, he writes these guides to help business owners and homeowners understand their cooling systems better.