The invention discloses a defrosting method of a three-pipe heating recovery system. An outdoor unit of the three-pipe heating recovery system comprises more than two outdoor heat exchangers, more than two three-way valves, more than one compressor, a high-pressure liquid pipe, a low-pressure air pipe and a high-pressure air pipe; and in a heating mode or a mixed refrigerating/heating mode, one outdoor heat exchanger is in a condenser defrosting state, and the other outdoor heat exchanger is certainly not in a condenser defrosting state. In the defrosting process, the defrosting sequence of the outdoor heat exchangers can be adjusted at will according to the actual condition. In the defrosting method, the defrosting time of all the outdoor heat exchangers of the outdoor unit of the three-pipe heating recovery system is staggered, therefore, the capacity of an indoor machine for continuously supplying heat towards indoor is maintained, the influence on indoor heating effect is reduced, and the using comfort of an air conditioner is improved, so that the defrosting method achieves the characteristics of simpleness and flexibility for control, no need of additional electric-heating defrosting equipment, high defrosting efficiency, less influence on heating effect of the indoor unit in the defrosting period, and the like.