Samsung Air Conditioner Error Code E198

E198 means the indoor unit's thermal fuse circuit is open, either because the fuse has blown or because its electrical connection has been lost. The thermal fuse is a safety component that permanently interrupts the circuit if the unit overheats. The air conditioner will not operate normally until the fuse is tested and the fault is resolved.

No. The E198 code typically causes the unit to shut itself down as a safety measure, and you should not attempt to force it to operate. The thermal fuse exists to prevent overheating damage or fire, so bypassing or ignoring this error is not safe. Have the unit inspected before resuming normal use.

If only the thermal fuse needs replacement, parts costs are typically low, often in the range of a few dollars to around $20 for the fuse itself. Labor for an HVAC technician to diagnose, access the indoor unit, and replace the fuse generally adds $75 to $200 or more depending on your location and the complexity of the unit. If the root cause involves a faulty blower motor or a refrigerant issue, total repair costs can rise to $150 to $500 or higher.

Some steps are accessible to a knowledgeable DIYer, such as checking and cleaning clogged air filters or inspecting visible wiring connections for loose plugs. However, testing and replacing the thermal fuse requires opening the indoor unit and using a multimeter to check continuity, which carries some risk if not done carefully. Any diagnosis involving refrigerant charge requires a licensed HVAC technician.

A power reset may temporarily clear the error code from the display, but it will not fix the underlying problem. If the thermal fuse has blown, it is a non-resettable component and must be physically replaced. If the fault is a loose wiring connection, a reset will not secure that connection, and the error will return quickly.