On a compact connected group $G$, consider the infinitesimal generator $-L$ of a central symmetric Gaussian convolution semigroup $(\mu_t)_{t>0}$. Using appropriate notions of distribution and smooth function spaces, we prove that $L$ is hypoelliptic if and only if $(\mu_t)_{t>0} $ is absolutely continuous with respect to Haar measure and admits a continuous density $x\mapsto \mu_t(x)$, $t>0$, such that $\lim_{t\ra 0} t\log \mu_t(e)=0$. In particular, this condition holds if and only if any Borel measure $u$ which is solution of $Lu=0$ in an open set $\Omega$ can be represented by a continuous function in $\Omega$. Examples are discussed.