Rheem Power Vent Water Heater Error Codes [Ultimate Guide]

This is a complete guide on Rheem Power Vent Water Heater Error Codes. 

The following table will show you the LCD Code, LED Status, and problem. If you are in a hurry, this will help you detect the issue. 

LCD Code	LED Status	Problem
12	One flash every three seconds	Low flame signal
44	Two flashes every three seconds	The pressure switch failed to close
46	Three flashes every three seconds	System in a lockout. Flammable vapor sensor
31	Four flashes every three seconds	TCO activated.
14	Five flashes every three seconds	Flame out of sequence
11	Six flashes of one, every three seconds	System in a lockout. Blower pressure switch and/or thermal switch open.
45	Six flashes of two, every three seconds	System in a lockout. Flame lost
13	Six flashes of three, every three seconds	System in a lockout. Failed Ignition attempts.
10	Six flashes of five, every three seconds	System in lockout. Failed Ignition attempts.
47	Seven flashes every three seconds	System in lockout. Flammable vapor sensor
49	Eight flashes of one, every three seconds	Flammable vapor sensor, fault detected.
89	Eight flashes of two, every three seconds	Temperature sensor fault detected.
15	Eight flashes of three, every three seconds	Electronics fault detected
93	Eight flashes of four, every three seconds	Combination gas control (thermostat) fault detected

To discover the solutions, keep reading. 

Table of Contents

• Rheem Power Vent Water Heater Error Codes [Ultimate Guide]
  • 1. Error Code 12 (1 Flash)
  • 2. Error Code 44 (2 Flashes)
  • 3. Error Code 46 (3 flashes)
  • 4. Error Code 31 (4 Flashes)
  • 5. Error Code 14 (5 Flashes)
  • 6. Error Code 11 (Six Flashes of One)
  • 7. Error Code 45 (Six Flashes of Two)
  • 8. Error Code 13 (Six Flashes of Three)
  • 9. Error Code 10 (Six Flashes of Five) 
  • 10. Error Code 47 (7 Flashes)
  • 11. Error Code 49 (8 flashes of one)
  • 12. Error Code 89 (8 flashes of two)
  • 13. Error Code 15 (8 flashes of three)
  • 14. Error Code 93 (8 flashes of four)
• End-Note

You may find interesting: Rheem Power Vent Water Heater Troubleshooting

Rheem Power Vent Water Heater Error Codes [Ultimate Guide]

Let’s discover the meaning, reasons, and solutions of each Rheem Power Vent Error Code. 

1. Error Code 12 (1 Flash)

The low flame signal is what causes the error code 12 to pop up if your power vent water model is equipped with a display. 

This is a result of: 

• Too low gas supply pressure
• The voltage to the heater is too low
• Defective pilot assembly

Here’s what should you do:

• Increase the gas supply pressure. However, the gas pressure to the water heater must not exceed 10.5 in. w.c for natural gas or 13 in. w.c. for LP gas. 
• The blower of this heater should be plugged into a 120V electric outlet. If you get insufficient voltage than required, call a certified electrician for help. 
• Replace the pilot assembly

2. Error Code 44 (2 Flashes)

Two blinks every 3 seconds or blinking code 44 on the controller display indicates there is a problem with the pressure switch. The pressure switch of your water heater’s blower will be at fault due to: 

• Incorrect wiring to the blower pressure switch
• The wiring to the blower pressure switch comes loose 
• The blower assembly goes out of order

How To Fix: 

• Verify the wiring to the blower pressure switch is correct
• Inspect the connection of the blower pressure switch wiring and ensure the wire connection is tight & secure
• If the error code still persists, replace the blower assembly. 

3. Error Code 46 (3 flashes)

Error code 46 means either the blower pressure switch or the thermal switch is at fault. I already described the possible reasons for a defective blower pressure switch. Now, let’s know what causes the thermal switch to go bad: 

• Wire the thermal switch incorrectly
• Loose thermal switch wiring
• Defective thermal switch

How To Fix: 

• Verify the wiring to the thermal switch is correct or seek help from a certified electrician if needed
• Tighten up the thermal switch wiring if the connection comes loose
• Replace the thermal switch

4. Error Code 31 (4 Flashes)

TCO gets activated is what causes your water heater to pop up the error code 31. If your water heater doesn’t come with a display, the LED light will flash 4 times every three seconds. 

The TCO or thermal cut-off switch is an integral part, which is located on the front of the combustion chamber door. 

Generally, the TCO will get activated due to: 

• Presence of flammable vapor
• Excessive temperature because of insufficient air supply 
• Malfunctioning gas valve

How To Fix: 

Reset the TCO manually to erase this error code. You will find it on the front of the combustion chamber door and the TCO will look like this: 

Just press that switch and it will reset the TCO. 

5. Error Code 14 (5 Flashes)

Flame out of sequence is what causes the status light on the control valve to blink 5 times every three seconds. 

Or, if your power vent water heater has a display, you will see the fault code 14 for this reason. Defective gas control (thermostat) is the main culprit behind this error code.

How To Fix: 

Replacing the combination gas control (thermostat) will be a simple fix for erasing the fault code. I highly suggest contacting certified service personnel to perform this task as it involves detaching the gas connections. 

Or, you can read this guide on the Rheem Water Heater Gas Valve Problem to learn how to do this job by yourself if you are fairly handy. 

6. Error Code 11 (Six Flashes of One)

This error code means the system is in lockout mode. It happens because of the following reasons: 

• The gas supply to the unit is off or too low to operate
• Pilot assembly problem
• Defective gas control valve (thermostat)

How To Fix: 

To resolve this issue: 

• Turn the gas supply on and increase the inlet gas pressure
• Replace the pilot assembly
• Call a certified service guy to make the gas control valve replacement

Read Also: Rheem Water Heater Failed Ignition Lockout

7. Error Code 45 (Six Flashes of Two)

The system is in the lockout- this is what resembles this error code. Turns out, the blower pressure switch or thermal switch is in the open position can be the problem if the LED status blinks 6 times, every three seconds. 

Fortunately, I revealed all the reasons and their solutions for this issue earlier in this guide (under Error Code 44 and Error Code 46). 

8. Error Code 13 (Six Flashes of Three)

Flame loss or system in a lockout is what resembles the error code 13.  Several reasons, including: 

• Too low gas supply pressure
• Blockage in the air inlets opening
• Defective pilot assembly

Are the culprits that cause the error code 13 to pop up on the display?

How To Fix: 

• Increase gas supply pressure
• Check the combustion air inlet openings around the water heater jacket for blockage and remove them if needed. 
• If the problem still persists, replace the pilot assembly. 

9. Error Code 10 (Six Flashes of Five)

Failed ignition attempts! This is the meaning of error code 1o. And the fault code 10 is the result of: 

• Too low gas pressure
• Defective pilot assembly
• Faulty thermostat control valve

How To Fix: 

Increase the inlet gas pressure or call certified service personnel to inspect the pilot assembly or the thermostat control valve professionally. If needed, replace the pilot assembly and the thermostat control valve as well. 

10. Error Code 47 (7 Flashes)

If flammable vapor is present, the flammable vapor sensor will detect it and pop up the error code 47. 

How To Fix: 

• Verify there is no gasoline or flammable materials near your water heater.

• Reset the combination gas control. If you don’t know the resetting procedure, check out this article on, Rheem Power Vent Water Heater Reset. 

• If the error code still persists, I bet the problem lies with the flammable vapor sensor. So, replace it. 

11. Error Code 49 (8 flashes of one)

When the flammable vapor sensor fault is detected, the unit will throw the error code 49 on the controller display. 

How To Fix: 

• Replace the flammable vapor sensor for the first hand to resolve this issue. Check out this tutorial to make that replacement.
• If the issue is still continuous, replace the gas control thermostat. 

12. Error Code 89 (8 flashes of two)

The temperature sensor fault detected is the meaning of error code 89. It occurs because of: 

• The loose wire connection to the gas control valve and the thermal well
• Defective thermal well

How To Fix: 

• Check the wire connection between the gas control thermostat and the thermal well
• Replace the thermal well

13. Error Code 15 (8 flashes of three)

If the error code 15 pops up on the control display or the LED status flashes 8 times, understand the unit detects the electronics fault. 

How To Fix: 

The solution to this issue is either replacing the gas control thermostat or the thermal well of the gas control. 

14. Error Code 93 (8 flashes of four)

Error code 93 indicates there is a problem with the gas control valve. And you can easily erase this error message by replacing the gas control thermostat. 

End-Note

Error codes on the display or LED status will help you detect a specific issue with ease if you know what the code means.

And this guide on Rheem Power Vent Water Heater Error Codes explains everything you need to know. So, bookmark it or share it with your friends.