Follett Ice Machine HI PRESSURE Light: Refrigeration Pressure Too High
The HI PRESSURE light on a Follett Horizon Elite machine means refrigeration pressure is too high, and the machine stops until it drops. Cool or ventilate the area to below 100 F and make sure hot air is not recirculating into the machine. Clean the condenser grille with the power off, and call us if the light returns.
High: the machine shuts down on pressure and repeated high pressure can shorten compressor life.
- Code
- HI PRESSURE
- Maker
- Follett
- Equipment
- Ice machines
- Applies to
- Horizon Elite 710 / 1010 / 1410 PC board
What does Follett error code HI PRESSURE mean?
An air-cooled ice machine gets rid of heat through its condenser. The board watches refrigeration pressure, and when heat cannot leave the condenser the pressure rises. Past the set limit, the control lights HI PRESSURE and stops the machine until pressure falls, so the compressor is not forced to run against excess pressure. The maker names four reasons: ambient air above 100 F around the machine, poor ventilation that lets hot exhaust air recirculate, a clogged air-cooled condenser coil, or a condenser fan that is not working because of blocked blades, no output from the board, or a bad motor. In a kitchen, ambient heat near the fryers can reach that range in summer, so room temperature is the first thing to check. After the pressure comes down the machine can restart, and the light often comes back if the room or the condenser has not changed.
Affected models and control systems
Follett Horizon Elite 710, 1010 and 1410 air-cooled machines with the PC board indicator lights.
Code numbers and their meaning can change between control generations. We match the full model and control before acting on a code.
What you may notice
- HI PRESSURE light on
- Machine stopped with no ice production
- Warm air or little air at the condenser grille
- Machine located near cooking equipment or in a closed space
Possible causes
Listed in Follett's documentation
- Ambient air above 100 F around the machine
- Clogged air-cooled condenser coil
- Condenser fan with blocked blades, no board output or a bad motor
- Poor ventilation that lets hot air recirculate
Other likely causes — what usually sits behind error code HI PRESSURE on this control. A technician confirms which one it is before any part is replaced.
- Shelving or boxes pushed up against the air intake side
- Grease-laden dust on the condenser from a nearby fryer or grill
Safe checks before calling for service
- Look at the room temperature; if the machine sits above 100 F, ventilate or cool the area.
- Move the machine or clear space so hot air cannot recirculate into the intake.
- With the power off, brush or vacuum the condenser grille.
- After the machine has cooled, restart it once.
- If the light returns, call us. Tell us the room conditions and whether the condenser fan was turning.
How a technician diagnoses error code HI PRESSURE
- Confirm the HI PRESSURE indicator and check ambient temperature and clearances.
- Inspect the condenser coil for dust, grease and restricted airflow.
- Check that the condenser fan turns freely and that the board sends it power.
- Measure the fan motor with a meter and verify voltage reaches it.
- Connect gauges and read actual refrigeration pressures to confirm the board reading.
- Correct airflow and cleaning first; replace the fan motor or board only after the tests.
- Reading refrigeration pressure needs gauges on a sealed system, which is work for a trained technician with the right tools.
- Testing the fan motor and board output means measuring line voltage behind the panels.
- Repeated high pressure shortens compressor life, so the cause has to be fixed, not just reset.
Technical reference
- Document
- Horizon Elite 710 User Guide p.14
- Edition
- 01266543R01
- Models / control
- Horizon Elite 710 / 1010 / 1410 PC board
- Section
- Troubleshooting, printed pp. 14-15 (nine numbered symptom rows: LED light states, possible causes, corrective actions). Our 1010/1410 guide 01252592R06 is a different document and is not in this PDF.
- Checked
- October 2026
We use the maker's document to read the code and do not reproduce it. Always confirm the complete model and control before applying these steps.
Related Follett ice machine error codes
Is HI PRESSURE only a hot room problem?
Heat is a common cause, but a clogged condenser or a stopped fan produces the same light.
Will it clear when the machine cools?
It can. If the cause is still there, it comes back.
Can I clean the condenser myself?
Yes, the grille with a brush or vacuum and the power off. Anything beyond that is for us.
Need help with Follett error code HI PRESSURE?
A technician confirms the cause on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.