Power Plan Import Fails with Exit Code 1603

Problem

You deploy a custom power plan (.pow file) with the Configure Power Settings PowerBrick, and the deployment fails. The agent log shows:

SCRIPT ENDED WITH EXITCODE: 1603

powercfg.exe /import returns exit code 1 with this error:

The value specified is malformed, or is not within the range of the target power setting.

Cause

The exported .pow file is damaged, or it has a value that Windows rejects on import. Why an export becomes damaged is not yet known.

Solution

Don’t edit the .pow file by hand. Create a new one instead:

1. On a reference device, go to Control Panel → Power Options → Change plan settings → Change advanced power settings.

2. Set all the AC (plugged in) and DC (on battery) values you need.

3. Export the power plan to a new file:

   powercfg /export "<path>.pow" <SchemeGUID>

4. On a test device, check that the new file imports without errors:

   powercfg /import "<path>.pow" <SchemeGUID>

5. Replace the old file in $PackageRoot with the new file, then deploy the PowerBrick again.

The power plan imports, and the deployment succeeds.