Bradford White Tankless Error Codes: Fixes

A cold shower is bad enough. A cold shower while the heater blinks a code at you is worse, because now the machine is trying to tell you something and you have to translate it.

Here is the good news. A Bradford White tankless heater does not leave you guessing. Instead of a vague no-hot-water mystery, the front panel shows a specific code that points straight at the gas supply, the venting, a sensor, or scale inside the heat exchanger.

This guide decodes the codes you are most likely to see, explains what each one means, and gives you the fix to try before you call a plumber.

Where Is the Error Code Displayed?

Modern Bradford White tankless water heaters feature a digital LCD window on the front panel. This screen usually displays your current water temperature during standard operation.

If the system detects a fault, the temperature reading gets replaced by a flashing error code. These codes eliminate guesswork and point you directly toward the malfunctioning component.

The codes below apply across the Bradford White Infiniti tankless line, which is sold in K-Series, L-Series, and GR-Series models. Your unit’s manual carries the exact list for your series, but the common codes and their fixes are shared, so start here.

Bradford White Tankless Error Code Troubleshooting

Here are the most frequent error codes you might encounter, along with their meanings and practical solutions ⁽¹⁾.

Error Code 10

What It Means

• Air Supply Issue: There is a blockage in the air supply or the exhaust vent.

How to Fix It

Try these steps to clear the airway:

1. Check ports: Inspect the exhaust and intake ports for debris or nests.
2. Examine the flue: Ensure the flue inlet and exhaust piping are completely clear.
3. Verify clearance: Confirm there is sufficient distance between the unit and any combustible materials.

Error Code 11

What It Means

• Ignition Failure: The system is attempting to fire but cannot establish a flame.

How to Fix It

This is often a gas supply issue:

1. Check gas supply: Verify the gas valve leading to the appliance is fully open.
2. Verify pressure: Ensure the gas pressure matches the specifications on the unit’s rating plate.
3. Bleed lines: purge any air trapped in the gas lines.
4. Check dip switches: Confirm the dip switches on the PC board are set correctly for your gas type.
5. Inspect connections: Ensure the gas meter and regulator are sized correctly for the load.
6. Check grounding: Verify the appliance is properly grounded.
7. Inspect the igniter: Look for damage to the igniter wiring harness or the electrode itself.

Error Code 12

What It Means

• Flame Loss: The unit established a flame but lost it unexpectedly.

How to Fix It

Focus on fuel consistency and electrical signals:

1. Check gas type: Confirm you are using the correct fuel type (Natural Gas vs. Propane).
2. Bleed the line: Remove air pockets from the gas supply line.
3. Inspect flame rod: Check the flame rod wire connection and clean any carbon build-up off the rod.
4. Check electrical: Look for loose power connections or voltage drops.
5. Inspect wiring: Disconnect and reconnect the wiring harnesses on the PC board to ensure a tight fit.

Error Code 14

What It Means

• Thermal Fuse Fault: The thermal fuse has tripped or disconnected.

How to Fix It

This often relates to heat exchange issues:

1. Check airflow: Ensure nothing restricts airflow around the unit or in the vent exhaust.
2. Inspect for cracks: Look for separations or cracks in the heat exchanger assembly.
3. Check resistance: Measure the resistance of the safety circuit ⁽²⁾.
4. Verify flow: Ensure there is no low flow causing the heater to short cycle.
5. Clear blockages: Remove obstructions from the combustion chamber.

Error Code 16

What It Means

• Overheating: The outgoing water temperature is dangerously high.

How to Fix It

You need to improve water flow and heat transfer:

1. Check the exchanger: Look for scale build-up clogging the heat exchanger.
2. Inspect airflow: Clear any restrictions in the vent terminal.
3. Check circulation: Ensure the flow rate is high enough to prevent short cycling.

Error Code 32

What It Means

• Sensor Fault: The outgoing water temperature sensor is malfunctioning.

How to Fix It

Inspect the sensor directly:

1. Check wiring: Look for damaged or loose wires connecting the sensor.
2. Test resistance: Verify the sensor’s resistance with a multimeter.
3. Clean scale: Remove any mineral build-up on the sensor probe.
4. Replace: Install a new sensor if cleaning fails.

Error Code 33

What It Means

• Exchanger Sensor Fault: The heat exchanger outgoing sensor is bad.

How to Fix It

Follow the standard sensor protocol:

1. Inspect wiring: Ensure the connection to the PC board is secure.
2. Clean the part: Wipe away any limescale or debris.
3. Test ohms: Check resistance against manual specifications.
4. Replace: Swap out the sensor if it tests “open” or “short.”

Error Code 34

What It Means

• Air Sensor Fault: The air combustion temperature sensor is reading incorrectly.

How to Fix It

Check the air intake components:

1. Check wiring: Look for pinched or broken wires.
2. Clean sensor: Remove dust and debris from the sensor tip.
3. Inspect fan: Ensure the fan blade is clean and secured tightly to the motor shaft.
4. Replace: Install a new sensor if the resistance readings are out of range.

Error Code 52

What It Means

• Solenoid Fault: The modulating solenoid valve is sending an abnormal signal.

How to Fix It

This is an internal gas component issue:

1. Inspect harness: Check that the wiring harness terminals are tight and corrosion-free.
2. Test resistance: Measure the ohms on the valve to confirm it meets manufacturer specs.

Error Code 61

What It Means

• Fan Failure: The combustion fan motor is not spinning correctly.

How to Fix It

Ensure the fan can spin freely:

1. Check for obstruction: Spin the fan manually to check for resistance or debris.
2. Inspect connections: Ensure the motor wiring harness is securely plugged in.
3. Test motor: Check the resistance on the motor windings.

Error Code 71

What It Means

• Circuit Fault: The solenoid valve circuit (SV0, SV1, SV2, SV3) is malfunctioning.

How to Fix It

You are looking for an electrical break:

1. Inspect solenoids: Check each solenoid valve for physical damage or loose plugs.
2. Verify resistance: Test each solenoid with a multimeter to find the faulty component.

Error Code 72

What It Means

• Flame Sensor Fault: The flame sensing device is detecting a false flame or no flame.

How to Fix It

The flame rod is the usual suspect here:

1. Check microamps: Measure the flame rod current output during ignition.
2. Clean the rod: Remove the flame rod and use fine sandpaper to clean off carbon deposits.
3. Inspect burner: Ensure debris inside the burner chamber is not blocking the flame.
4. Check position: Verify the flame rod is actually touching the flame when the unit fires.

Error Code LC

What It Means

• Scale Build-Up: The heat exchanger is clogged with limescale deposits.

Unlike a hard lockout, Code LC does not shut the heater off. The unit keeps making hot water and the display alternates between LC and your set temperature, which is its way of telling you a descale is overdue rather than that it has failed.

How to Fix It

This code is a maintenance reminder, not a breakdown:

1. Power cycle: Turn the unit off and on again to see if the code clears temporarily.
2. Flush the system: Perform a flush using vinegar or a descaling solution to clear the mineral deposits, once a year or every six months if you have hard water.
3. Install treatment: If you have hard water, consider installing a water softener to prevent recurrence.

Bradford White recommends professional descaling and flushing, because scale that coats the heat exchanger cuts efficiency and flow and can shorten the unit’s life ⁽³⁾.

Troubleshooting With No Error Code

Sometimes you open a tap and get cold water, yet the display remains blank. This forces you to troubleshoot the old-fashioned way.

If your Bradford White heater fails to heat water without displaying a code, try these checks:

1. Clean the inlet filter: Remove the water filter screen from the cold water inlet and scrub away debris with a toothbrush.
2. Check flow rate: Open the hot tap fully. The unit will not fire if the water flow is below the minimum activation rate (usually 0.5 GPM).
3. Bleed the system: Turn off the heater and open the pressure relief valve to release trapped air.
4. Check plumbing: Verify that cold and hot water lines were not reversed during installation.
5. Inspect flow sensor: Disconnect the water flow control motor and run the water. If the unit fires, the flow control component likely needs replacement.

FAQs

How Do I Reset a Bradford White Tankless Water Heater?

To reset a Bradford White tankless water heater, press and hold the red reset button, usually behind the front cover panel, until you hear a click, then release it. The unit reboots and clears the current code. If the same code comes back immediately, the underlying fault is still there and a reset alone will not fix it.

Why Is My Bradford White Tankless Water Heater Beeping?

A beeping Bradford White tankless heater is sounding an alarm that pairs with an error code on the display. The beep is only the alert. The code on the screen is what tells you the real fault, whether that is a sensor failure, a gas issue, or overheating, so read the code and fix that. The beeping stops once the fault clears.

Do Tankless Water Heaters Have Fuses?

Yes, tankless water heaters have internal fuses. Beyond the main circuit breaker the unit is wired to, you will find glass fuses on the PC board inside the heater that protect its electronics. If the display is completely dead, check those fuses for continuity before you replace any larger parts.

What Is the Life Expectancy of a Bradford White Water Heater?

A well-maintained Bradford White tankless water heater typically lasts 15 to 20 years, well beyond the lifespan of a traditional tank-style heater. Regular maintenance is what earns those years. Flushing the heat exchanger to clear scale keeps the unit efficient and heads off the early failures that skipped maintenance causes.

What Is the Most Common Problem With Bradford White Tankless Water Heaters?

The most common problem is no hot water from ignition failure, which shows as Error Code 11. It usually traces to the gas supply, low gas pressure, or a dirty flame rod rather than a failed heater. Scale build-up (Error Code LC) is the next most common, especially in hard-water homes.

How Often Should Bradford White Tankless Water Heaters Be Serviced?

Service a Bradford White tankless water heater at least once a year, which means a full flush to clear mineral deposits from the heat exchanger. On very hard water, step that up to every six months. Clean the cold-water inlet filter and the air intake screen at the same time to keep the other common faults from starting.

Where Can I Find the Model Number on My Unit?

The model and serial numbers are printed on the rating plate, a silver or white sticker on the side or front panel of the heater. Have those numbers ready when you order parts or call for warranty service, since the correct parts and the exact code list depend on your specific Infiniti series.