Tankless · Foothills, Glendale & Burbank
Rinnai Tankless Error Codes & Safe Checks
A Rinnai error code is a starting point for diagnosis, not a parts-shopping list. This reference covers selected codes from Rinnai’s published Troubleshooting Tankless Water Heater Diagnostic Codes guide. It separates the manufacturer’s stated condition from limited, external observations a homeowner can safely make. Leon Plumbing, an authorized Rinnai dealer serving Sunland, Glendale, Burbank and the surrounding Foothills, can help diagnose a recurring fault. Keep the exact code and your model number ready when you call.
Check your model before using a code table
Rinnai’s troubleshooting guide applies to the model families identified in that document. Not every code or diagnostic procedure applies to every Rinnai heater. Find the full model number on an accessible rating plate without opening the appliance, then consult that model’s installation and operation manual. The printed page references in this table point to the official guide linked below; the guide’s diagnostic procedures are intended for qualified service work.
These meanings should not be transferred to Navien, Noritz or another brand. A code can have several underlying causes even when its label is clear. An ignition message, for example, does not establish that the igniter needs replacement. The technician must check installation and operating conditions as well as the appliance itself.
Safety comes before troubleshooting
If you smell gas, leave the area. Do not try to light the appliance, operate electrical switches or investigate the leak. Contact the gas supplier or emergency services from a safe location. Leave and seek emergency assistance for a carbon-monoxide alarm as well. These situations are not routine booking requests, and an online code table cannot establish whether the home is safe.
For an ordinary fault without emergency signs, photograph the display, note what fixtures were running and describe whether the heater failed to start or stopped during use. Do not remove the cover, test live wiring, adjust gas pressure, purge fuel lines or bypass a safety device. Overheating messages warrant stopping use and arranging service rather than repeated resets.
Common Rinnai codes: meanings and next steps
Use this reference alongside your exact model’s manual. External observations below are intentionally narrower than the professional diagnostic procedures in Rinnai’s guide.
| Code / meaning | Safe homeowner observation | When to call |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Air supply or exhaust blockage Rinnai guide, p. 12 | Look from a safe ground-level position for an obvious obstruction at an accessible exterior vent. Do not climb or dismantle venting. | Call if the opening is blocked or damaged, or the code persists. Internal airflow and vent checks require a technician. |
| 11 No ignition Rinnai guide, p. 16 | Note a known gas-utility interruption; if using propane, check the tank’s normal external level indicator. Do not test ignition or manipulate gas fittings. | Call for ignition diagnosis if supply interruption does not explain the fault. Gas pressure, ignition parts and wiring are professional checks. |
| 12 Flame failure Rinnai guide, p. 20 | Record when the flame-loss message appeared and note obvious exterior vent obstructions from a safe position. | Call for a recurring fault. Burner, flame-sensing and fuel-supply testing are not homeowner tasks. |
| 14 Thermal fuse or overheat sensor (ODS) Rinnai guide, p. 23 | Stop using the heater. Do not open the cabinet, repeatedly restart it or bypass a safety device. | Request qualified service for the overheating/safety condition before returning the heater to use. |
| 16 High outgoing-water temperature Rinnai guide, p. 27 | Stop using the heater; avoid contact with unexpectedly hot water. Record the code without attempting internal adjustments. | Call for service. A safety shutdown related to outlet temperature requires diagnosis, not a thermostat workaround. |
| 25 Condensate pump error or clogged drain (accessory pump) Rinnai guide, p. 34 | Observe an accessible external drain for an obvious kink, overflow or obstruction without disconnecting it. Applicability depends on configuration. | Call for drainage or pump problems. Pump wiring and internal traps require qualified attention. |
| 32 Outgoing-water-temperature thermistor fault Rinnai guide, p. 37 | Record the message and model number. There is no internal sensor check recommended here for homeowners. | Call for sensor and wiring diagnosis. Do not remove the thermistor or probe connections. |
| 61 Combustion fan motor Rinnai guide, p. 52 | Record the code and arrange service. Do not open the unit or reach into the fan assembly. | A technician must evaluate the fan and related electrical or airflow conditions. |
| 65 Water-flow-control device Rinnai guide, p. 55 | If bath-fill water is running unexpectedly, turn off the water flow immediately using the normal fixture control. | Contact a technician for water-flow-control diagnosis. Do not dismantle or adjust the flow servo. |
Rinnai error codes: common questions
Does this table apply to every Rinnai model?
No. The official troubleshooting guide lists its applicable model families. Check the exact model’s manual; codes and procedures are not universal.
Are these codes taken from Rinnai documentation?
Yes. The code meanings come from Rinnai’s Troubleshooting Tankless Water Heater Diagnostic Codes guide. Each row links to its printed-page reference.
Can I reset the heater until the code goes away?
Do not repeatedly reset a recurring fault. Follow your model’s manual and arrange diagnosis. Overheating, gas odor or a carbon-monoxide alarm needs immediate safety action.
Does code 11 prove the igniter is broken?
No. Rinnai labels code 11 as no ignition. Supply, combustion, ignition and control conditions require model-specific diagnosis before recommending parts.
What information should I give Leon Plumbing?
Provide the exact model, displayed code, when it occurs, which fixtures were running and the last service date. Take photos only when safe and without opening the cabinet.