Option and Memory Data
Samsung E163 Error Code
The Samsung E163 error code means the indoor board has found a problem with its stored option settings. These settings tell the board exactly which model it is fitted to and how to behave. Displays may show it as E1 and then 63. When that data is missing, damaged or mismatched, the unit refuses to run normally.
The Basics
What Does E163 Mean in Everyday Terms?
A Samsung indoor board is not built for just one model. Instead, the same board design can serve a range of capacities and styles. What makes it behave correctly for your particular unit is a set of stored values, usually called option codes or option data.
Those values live in a small memory chip known as an EEPROM. The chip keeps its contents even when power is off. It holds details such as the unit’s capacity, fan characteristics and which features are enabled. Each time the unit starts, the board reads that data and checks it makes sense.
E163 appears when that check fails. Samsung’s own support material describes the fault as incorrect or deleted data in the EEPROM of the main control board. Technical lists call it an option setting error. In short, the board does not know how to drive the unit safely, so it stops.
What You Will See
How Does E163 Show Up on the Display?
On a wall split with a two character display, E163 is shown in two halves. Expect E1, a pause, then 63, cycling repeatedly. The halves together make E163.
Samsung’s support pages list this code as C1 or 63 on a loop for certain model years. Therefore, C163 and E163 refer to the same fault. On ducted and cassette systems, the wired controller usually shows the full four characters at once. Some controllers may add an indoor unit number for multi unit installs.
When Does It Usually Appear?
Very often at power up, especially after a board replacement, a power event or other repair work. It can also appear out of the blue on an ageing board.
Does the Unit Do Anything?
Usually not. The unit may light its display and show the code, but it will not run the compressor or fan normally.
Why It Matters
Why Does the Board Need Option Data at All?
Option data is how the board knows what it is controlling. Without it, the board cannot set fan speeds correctly, cannot judge how hard to push the system, and cannot coordinate properly with the outdoor unit.
Imagine fitting the same engine computer into a small hatchback and a large four wheel drive. The hardware might be identical, but the settings must differ. Samsung handles this with stored option data, so one board design can serve many models efficiently.
As a result, a wrong or missing value matters. An incorrect capacity setting could, for example, lead the system to run the indoor fan at speeds unsuited to the coil. Rather than risk that, Samsung designs the board to stop and raise E163.
Causes Ranked
What Can Cause a Samsung E163 Fault?
This list runs from the usual triggers to the least common. Unusually for an air conditioner code, many E163 cases follow some kind of work or event rather than gradual wear.
After a Repair
- A replacement indoor board was fitted without the correct option data being entered
- A generic spare board was supplied with default or blank values
- The wrong replacement board for the model was fitted
After a Power Event
- A surge during a storm corrupted the stored data
- Repeated brownouts disturbed the memory during start up
- A power cut while the board was writing data
Hardware Problems
- The EEPROM chip itself has failed with age or heat
- Moisture or corrosion around the memory circuit
- A plug in EEPROM module on some models has worked loose
Configuration Mismatch
- Indoor and outdoor units that are not an approved pairing
- Settings changed during commissioning that do not suit the model
- Option data entered for a different capacity
Owner Actions
Is There Anything You Can Safely Try?
Option data is entered with special procedures and service tools, and it is not something a homeowner can or should change. However, a few simple steps can rule out a temporary glitch and help the technician.
Write Down the Details
Record the code as displayed and when it first appeared. Note any recent repairs, power cuts or storms in the days before.Try a Single Full Power Cycle
Switch off at the dedicated breaker, wait several minutes for the boards to discharge, then restore power. A one off read error can sometimes clear.Do Not Press Hidden Button Combinations
Online videos sometimes show remote button sequences for entering settings. Avoid these, as wrong entries can make the problem worse.Find Your Paperwork
Locate the installation documents and any recent repair invoice. If a board was replaced, the invoice helps the technician identify the part.Photograph the Model Labels
Take clear photos of the labels on both the indoor and outdoor units. These confirm the exact pairing and capacity.
If E163 returns after a power cycle, the data or memory genuinely needs attention. At that point, leave the unit off and book a licensed technician.
Technician Work
How Does a Technician Clear E163?
Resolving E163 is partly electrical diagnosis and partly configuration. The technician needs to know the exact model, have access to the correct option values, and confirm the hardware is healthy.
- Confirm the indoor and outdoor model numbers and that they are an approved pairing.
- Check whether the indoor board has been replaced recently and, if so, whether option data was entered.
- Inspect the board for moisture, corrosion and signs of surge damage near the memory circuit.
- On models with a removable EEPROM module, check that it is seated correctly.
- Enter the correct option data using the approved service procedure for the model.
- Power cycle and confirm the board accepts the data without raising the code again.
- Replace the board or memory module if the data will not save or keeps corrupting.
- Run the system in each mode to confirm normal fan speeds and operation.
Open more detail
Samsung option data is usually entered with the remote control in a special service mode or with a dedicated service tool, depending on the model. The values are specific to each model number. That is why the label photos matter, because a single wrong digit can lead to poor performance or a fresh error.
On commercial and multi unit systems, the outdoor unit may also hold settings that must match the indoor units. A technician may need to review both ends to make sure the whole system agrees on its configuration.
Running Risk
Can You Keep Using a Samsung With E163?
In most cases you cannot, because the board blocks normal operation. That is a safety measure. The board has decided it does not know how to run the unit correctly, so it does not try.
The good news is that E163 rarely signals danger. It does not usually involve refrigerant leaks, overheating or burning components. It is mainly a data and configuration problem. That said, if it follows a storm, the same surge may have harmed other parts, so a general check during the visit is sensible.
Keep in mind that a unit sitting idle with E163 is not harmed by waiting. Unlike a refrigerant or compressor fault, there is no ongoing damage while it is switched off. So you can book a time that suits you without worrying that the problem is getting worse in the background.
In the meantime, avoid repeated power cycling. Each attempt makes the board try to read faulty data again, and if the memory is failing, extra write attempts are not helpful. One reset to rule out a glitch is enough.
Power and Weather
Do Storms and Power Problems Cause E163?
They can. Memory chips are sensitive to sudden voltage spikes and dips. During summer thunderstorms, common across Brisbane, Sydney and much of the east coast, surges travel through household wiring. An air conditioner that happens to be starting up at that moment is especially vulnerable.
Brownouts also matter. During extreme heat, high demand on the grid can cause voltage to sag in some areas. A board that starts repeatedly under low voltage may read or write its memory unreliably.
Furthermore, coastal homes see slow corrosion on electronic components, including the area around memory chips. In Perth’s coastal suburbs, beachside Adelaide or the bayside areas of Melbourne, salt air can gradually affect board reliability over many years. Surge protection at the switchboard and regular servicing both help.
After Repairs
Why Does E163 Often Appear After a Board Replacement?
This is one of the usual scenarios. When a technician replaces an indoor board, the new board may arrive as a general part. It needs the correct option data for your specific model before it will run properly.
If that step is missed, or the wrong values are entered, E163 appears at the first start up. Equally, if a board for a different model is fitted, the data may never match. Neither situation means the new board is faulty. It simply has not been configured to suit your unit.
What Should You Do in That Case?
Contact whoever fitted the board and explain that E163 appeared afterwards. Most technicians can return to enter or correct the option data.
What If the Original Installer Is Unavailable?
Another licensed technician can usually complete the configuration, provided they can confirm the model and access the correct values. Keep the old invoice handy.
Model Differences
Does E163 Mean the Same Thing on Every Samsung?
On most Samsung residential splits and many ducted indoor units, E163 points to the indoor option data or EEPROM. That much is consistent across the material we have checked, including Samsung’s own support pages. However, there are some differences worth knowing about.
Commercial and DVM systems use a much larger code set, and their option and address codes can be more detailed. On those systems, a similar fault might be reported with an extra unit number or alongside other setup codes. Meanwhile, older non inverter units do not use this three digit format at all.
A few third party websites list E163 with a completely different meaning, such as a discharge sensor fault. We have not found reliable support for that on Samsung residential splits, so treat those lists with caution. Your model manual and a technician’s service data remain the final word.
Residential Splits
Option or EEPROM data on the indoor board. This is the meaning many owners will encounter, and it matches Samsung’s own description.
Commercial Systems
Usually a configuration or memory fault too, but with extra detail such as unit addresses. A commercial technician will read it in context.
If you are not sure which family your system belongs to, the model label tells the story. Residential split model numbers usually look quite different from commercial ones, and a technician can confirm in seconds from a photo.
Prevention
How Can You Lower the Risk of E163?
Some E163 faults are pure bad luck, but several steps reduce the chances. Most focus on protecting the board from power disturbances and making sure repairs are completed properly.
Surge Protection
Ask an electrician about surge protection at the switchboard, particularly if your suburb has frequent storms.
Proper Repairs
When any board is replaced, ask the technician to confirm that option data has been entered and tested before they leave.
Correct Pairings
Use indoor and outdoor units that are an approved match. Mismatched combinations can create configuration errors.
It is also wise to switch the system off at the remote before a big storm rolls in, if you are home. A unit that is idle is less exposed than one starting up as a surge arrives. This is a simple habit rather than a guarantee, but it costs nothing.
Keeping records also helps. A simple note of the model numbers, installation date and any repairs means the next technician can work faster. Store it with your manual or as a photo on your phone.
Getting Help
Where Can You Book a Technician for E163?
We arrange licensed technicians across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. Use the page for your city: Sydney air conditioner repairs, Melbourne air conditioner repairs, Brisbane repairs, Perth repairs or Adelaide repairs. For brand information, see our Samsung air conditioning page, or the city brand pages for Samsung in Sydney and Samsung in Perth.
When you book, mention any recent board replacement or power event. Send photos of both model labels if you can. These details let the technician prepare the right option values in advance. Rapid Air Cooling is a booking service. We are not Samsung and do not hold Samsung accreditation, so please check your warranty terms first if the system is still covered.
Related Codes
Which Codes Are Connected to E163?
A failing indoor board can raise more than one code. E101 and E202 cover communication between the indoor and outdoor units, which can be affected when the board itself is unwell. E201 relates to installed indoor unit settings on multi head systems, another configuration style fault. E154 can follow incorrect fan data on some models.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an EEPROM?
It is a small memory chip on the board that keeps its data without power. On Samsung units, it stores the option settings that suit your model.
Why did E163 appear after a repair?
A replacement board often needs option data entered for your model. If that step was missed or done incorrectly, E163 appears at start up.
Can I enter the option code myself?
It is not recommended. The procedure and values are model specific, and a wrong entry can cause further faults or poor performance.
Is E163 dangerous?
Generally no. It is a data fault and the board stops the unit as a precaution. If it followed a storm, have other parts checked too.
Will I need a new board?
Not always. If the data simply needs re-entering, no part is required. A board or memory module is replaced only if the data will not hold.
How long does it take to fix E163?
If only the data needs entering, the job can be fairly quick once the technician has the right values. A board replacement takes longer, especially if the part must be ordered.
Is C163 the same as E163?
Yes. Some model years use C instead of E for the same indoor fault.
Does E163 affect cooling performance before it trips?
Usually it trips at start up, so you will not see a gradual decline. On rare occasions, partly corrupted data may cause odd fan behaviour first.
Stuck on E163?
Call us with both model numbers and we will book a licensed technician to restore the correct settings.
Reviewed by AC repair and service specialist on 22 October 2026. How we write our articles