E221

Outdoor Temperature Sensor Error

Home Appliance Error Codes Samsung Split AC

Can you still use it? With care until repaired

Who can fix it? Needs a technician

Typical repair time 30 minutes – 3 hours

Typical cost SAR 80 to 2,500

What it means

This code appears on Samsung inverter split wall units such as WindFree and Digital Inverter. It means the outdoor air thermistor in the outdoor unit is open or shorted. The outdoor board relies on this reading to set compressor and fan speed, so cooling stops or the unit runs in a limited protective mode depending on the model. The same code can mean something else on other brands.

Models covered: Samsung inverter split air conditioners (e.g. WindFree and Digital Inverter wall units) that show three-digit E codes on the display.

Symptoms3

E221 shows on the indoor unit display.
Cooling stops or is noticeably weaker.
The code may appear after rain or after washing the outdoor unit.

Possible causes5

Sensor out of its holder behind the condenser, or its casing damaged by sun.
Water in the sensor or its connector.
Cut, chewed or chafed wire.
Loose or corroded plug on the outdoor board.
Faulty sensor input on the outdoor PCB.

How to diagnose5

Switch off the breaker for a few minutes and restart; if the unit is wet, let it dry first.
After discharge, a technician checks the sensor in its holder and its wire up to the board.
Measure the sensor resistance against the Samsung table at the current air temperature.
Inspect the plug for water or corrosion.
If the sensor is good, check the sensor input on the outdoor board.

How to fix5

Dry and clean the plug and return the sensor to its holder.
Repair and protect a damaged wire.
Replace the outdoor air sensor.
Replace the outdoor PCB if its sensor input is faulty.
Run the unit and confirm normal cooling without the code returning.

Repair cost

0–200

200–600

600–1,500

1,500+

In Saudi riyals; the highlighted part is the expected range for this fault.

It is usually a cheap sensor or drying a plug; the top of the range is the rare case needing an outdoor PCB.

Prices are rough estimates including the part and the technician’s fee, and vary with brand, model and part source.
Prices last updated: September 2026

Frequently asked questions

Does E221 mean it is too hot outside?

No. It means the sensor itself is giving an impossible reading because of an electrical fault, not that the air is too hot.

Can the AC run with this code?

Some models run in a limited protective mode and others stop cooling; either way the sensor needs fixing because cooling will not be properly controlled.

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This guide is for information only and does not replace an inspection by a qualified technician. If the fault involves brakes, steering, engine temperature, electrics or refrigerant, do not attempt the repair yourself.

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