E961 on a Viessmann Vitocal 100-A: Abnormal condition (blocks: Compressor)
Short answer
On a Viessmann heat pump, E961 means: Abnormal condition (blocks: Compressor). The heat pump stops until the fault clears or is reset. An engineer is needed to fix the cause.
Reviewed 23 September 2026 · 1 source
What it means
The manual says: Abnormal condition (blocks: Compressor).
Part involved: Abnormal condition.
When it shows: Inverter alarm (s.13.7: "The inverter has its own list of alarms"); compressor blocked.
Likely causes:
- Inverter alarm (s.13.7: "The inverter has its own list of alarms"); compressor blocked.
Is it safe?
| Does the heat pump stop? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Engineer needed? | Yes |
The heat pump stops until the fault clears or is reset.
Resetting itself: Not stated.
Manual reset: Placing the controller in OFF mode resets alarms and hour counters (6167577 s.13, printed p.34); if alarms persist when switched on, contact technical assistance.
What you can check
- Note the E-code (e.g. E006) shown on the Vitocal 100-A controller display and give it to your installer.
- Per 6167577 s.13, switching the controller to OFF resets alarms; if the alarm is still present when switched back on, stop and contact your installer/Viessmann technical assistance (do not keep cycling it).
- Check the heat pump breaker/isolator in the consumer unit is ON and the outdoor unit is not blocked by leaves, debris or snow.
What the engineer will check
- Inverter fault: check inverter/compressor driver per Viessmann service documentation; E801 = no communication between controller and compressor driver board.
- Read alarm log (Hist) on controller; contact Viessmann technical assistance if alarm persists.
Who to ask for: Viessmann-trained heat pump engineer with F-gas refrigeration certification.
Certification: F-gas certificate (UK F-gas Regulations; Viessmann: refrigerant work by authorised refrigeration engineers only).
Sources
- Installation/service instructions Vitocal 100-A outdoor unit controller (6167577, 9/2020) ↗ · 6167577 VSA00001 · page 36 (PDF p.38) table 13.2 · Reviewed 23 September 2026
A code explains what the controller detected, not a confirmed root cause.
Reviewed: 23 September 2026