How To Reset Rheem Tankless Water Heater

In this article: 

• When should you reset your Rheem Tankless Water Heater?
• How to reset the Rheem Tankless Water Heater?
• What should I do if the resetting procedure doesn’t work?
• Maintenance tips to prevent the need for frequent resets

When Should You Reset Your Rheem Tankless Water Heater?

Resetting a tankless water heater will help you avoid general water heater issues like error codes, power outages, or water flow issues.  

What happens when you reset the unit is- it will clear the glitches from the control board. But how? 

The resetting procedure will involve turning off and turning on the water heater. Once you leave the water heater unplugged or turn off the gas supply, it will let the internal components remove the glitches. 

You can imagine this procedure as you reboot your smartphone, which helps resolve minor issues. 

How To Reset Rheem Tankless Water Heater?

The resetting procedure involves dealing with electricity or gas. So, I recommend you wear protective gear or work in a well-ventilated area to ensure safety. 

Once you take the appropriate safety precautions, go along with the following steps to reset your tankless water heater: 

Resetting the Rheem Gas Tankless Water Heater: 

• Turn off the gas supply to the unit by rotating the gas valve counterclockwise.
• Detach the water heater from the electric connection. 
• Leave the unit for 30 seconds. This period will let the water heater remove the glitches from the control board.
• After that period, plug the unit into a standard outlet and turn on the gas supply. 

Resetting the Rheem Electric Tankless Water Heater: 

• Turn off the electric supply to the unit at the circuit breaker.
• Wait for 30 seconds
• Once the time elapses, restore the power to your water heater by flipping up the circuit breaker.

What Should I Do If The Resetting Procedure Doesn’t Work?

Remember that the resetting procedure will only help you resolve minor water heater problems for a short time.

Yes, you hear what I said. 

Check the controller display for error codes for a permanent solution to a specific issue. Each error code has a meaning and indicates a problem. 

For example, error code 11 means ignition failure. It occurs due to gas supply issues, defective igniter, and faulty flame sensor. 

If you know the meaning of each error code, you can easily detect the problem and resolve the issue. 

You can read this article on Rheem Tankless Water Heater Error Codes to explore the explanation of each fault code. 

Maintenance Tips To Prevent the Need of Frequent Resets

Scheduled maintenance is a must to operate the tankless water heater trouble-freely. It helps maintain the optimum efficiency and reduces usual water heater issues. 

In short, performing regular maintenance will help avoid general operating issues. And fewer issues mean you need to reset the unit a few times. 

Regular maintenance includes: 

• Cleaning the outer area of your tankless water heater
• Cleaning the air filter
• Water Filter Cleaning
• Draining the water heater
• Inspecting the vent system
• Inspecting the burner
• Flushing the tankless unit

To explore each maintenance workflow, read this guide on Rheem Tankless Water Heater Maintenance. 

Apart from mastering regular maintenance, you should know common tankless water heater issues and troubleshooting techniques. 

In this case, you can read these articles: 

• Rheem Tankless Water Heater Troubleshooting Manual
• Rheem RTEX-18 Troubleshooting

FAQs

What's the most common reason for needing to reset a Rheem tankless water heater?

The presence of error codes on the controller display is the most common reason for needing to reset your tankless water heater. Issues like ignition failure, clogged inlet filter, and temperature sensor failure trigger the unit to display error codes. 

Is there a reset button on the Rheem Tankless Water Heater?

No, there is no reset button on a Rheem Tankless Water Heater. However, you can still reset the unit by turning on and off the unit. 

How do I find the error code on my Rheem tankless water heater?

The controller display will showcase the error codes. Read the manufacturer manual to discover the meaning of each fault code. 

Can I reset my Rheem tankless water heater without turning off the gas supply?

No, you can’t. You must turn off both the gas supply and the electric supply to the unit. 

End-Note

I hope the resetting procedure I described will help you reset your Rheem Tankless Water Heater. If the resetting steps don’t work to fix a minor issue, I bet your tankless water heater goes through a complex problem. In this case, contact the Rheem Customer Support or a certified technician for further assistance.