Gas water heater guides
74 field guides for gas water heaters. Start with the symptom, then follow the safe checks before you reach for a part.
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AO Smith Gas Water Heater Reset Keeps Tripping
An AO Smith gas reset that trips again points to venting, flame, or a failing control. Stop resetting and hire a licensed plumber.
Continue reading →GasBradford White Water Heater Igniter Not Working
A Bradford White igniter that will not glow or spark can be power, wiring, the igniter, or control. Stop repeated starts and hire a licensed tech.
Continue reading →GasGas Hot Water Heater Power Vent Problems
A power-vent gas heater that will not start or keeps shutting down needs air, vent, blower, or pressure checks. Hire a licensed plumber.
Continue reading →GasGas Water Heater Error Codes
Gas water heater codes are model-specific. Photograph the light or display, check only safe basics, and hire a licensed pro for repeats.
Continue reading →GasAmerican Water Heater Pilot Won't Stay Lit
An American standing-pilot that dies is a thermocouple, FVIR, or gas valve. If you smell gas, leave. Hire a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasAO Smith Gas Control Valve Problems
AO Smith gas-valve faults are millivolts, LED lockout, or a failed control. Do not swap it DIY. Hire a licensed plumber in your zip.
Continue reading →GasAO Smith Igniter Not Working
A dark AO Smith igniter is HSI, lockout, or no 120 V. One trial, then hire a licensed plumber in your zip.
Continue reading →GasDefender Pilot Light Will Not Stay Lit
A Defender pilot that dies is a thermopile, FVIR screen, or ICON. Hire a licensed plumber in your zip now.
Continue reading →GasBradford White Pilot Light Reset
Reset a Bradford White ICON only after the LED goes dark. One lighting cycle, then hire a licensed tech if it will not hold.
Continue reading →GasBradford White Pilot Won't Light
A Bradford White that will not light is gas, piezo, or ICON lockout. One try per the jacket, then hire a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasBradford White Weak Pilot Signal (2 Flashes)
Two flashes on a Bradford White ICON is a weak thermopile, not a DIY valve. Confirm the sticker, then hire a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasDon't Match-Light an Electronic-Pilot Heater
Electronic-pilot tanks spark or glow on their own. A match dumps gas into a dark chamber. Stop and hire a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasEco-Defender Water Heater Won't Turn On
An Eco-Defender that will not fire is FVIR lockout, no pilot, or a dead ICON. Count the LED, then hire a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasGas Smell After Water Heater Replacement
Mercaptan after a heater swap is a leak until a utility or licensed fitter says otherwise. Leave. Don’t sniff fittings. Get a 24/7 tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasGas Burner On but Still No Hot Water
Flame is running, showers still cold: dip tube, sediment, mixing valve, or a closed hot valve. Hire a licensed plumber in your zip.
Continue reading →GasGas Burner Lights Then Dies, Pilot Stays Lit
Pilot holds, main burner drops: thermopile sag, gas valve, or rollout. Do not keep relighting. Get a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasWater Dripping on a Gas Water Heater Burner
Water on the burner is condensation or a dead tank. A rust ring means shut the gas. Get a licensed plumber in your zip now.
Continue reading →GasWet Gas Water Heater Pilot Won't Light
A soaked gas tank will not light — drowned pilot, FVIR, or water in the burner. Shut gas, then hire a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasGas Water Heater Dead After a Power Outage
A gas tank dead after an outage is a 120 V lockout, surge, or blown pilot. Count the LED, then hire a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasGas Water Heater Dead After Rain?
A gas tank that dies after rain is a wet FVIR, drowned pilot, or soaked vent. Safe checks first, then hire a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasGas Thermal Switch Keeps Tripping
A gas thermal switch that keeps tripping is rollout, vent, or FVIR — not a reset ritual. Stop jumpering it. Hire a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasGE Water Heater Pilot Light Won't Light
A GE that will not light is gas, spark, or lockout — not a thermocouple ritual. Smell gas? Leave and hire a licensed tech.
Continue reading →GasGE Water Heater Pilot Will Not Stay Lit
A GE pilot that dies is a thermocouple, FVIR screen, or gas valve. If you smell gas, leave. Hire a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasHoneywell Water Heater Igniter No Spark
No spark on a Honeywell control is lockout, a dead igniter, or no 120 V. One trial, then hire a licensed plumber in your zip.
Continue reading →GasReset a Locked-Out Honeywell Water Heater
Honeywell reset is the gas knob to OFF, not a red ECO. One cycle after lockout, then hire a licensed plumber in your zip.
Continue reading →GasCarbon Monoxide From the Water Heater
CO at a water heater is a blocked vent, spillage, or cracked flue. Get people out, then hire a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasDon't Purge a Water Heater Gas Line Yourself
Air in a water heater gas line causes delayed ignition and lockouts. Do not open fittings. Shut it down and get a licensed gas fitter now.
Continue reading →GasNavien Exhaust Smells Like Gas? Leave
Gas odor at a Navien termination is an emergency. Leave, call the utility from outside, then a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasReliance Water Heater Won't Light
A Reliance that will not light is a closed cock, FVIR lockout, or dead spark. Count the LED, then hire a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasReplace a Gas Water Heater Burner Assembly?
A rusty burner is often a leaking tank, not a parts-store tray. Shut the gas and hire a licensed plumber in your zip.
Continue reading →GasHoneywell Thermocouple Will Not Hold the Pilot
Honeywell often wants a thermopile, not a $12 thermocouple. Measure millivolts, then hire a licensed plumber in your zip.
Continue reading →GasWater Heater Pilot Assembly Replacement
A failed pilot is orifice, sensor, or the gas valve — not always a kit. Diagnose first, then hire a licensed plumber in your zip.
Continue reading →GasRheem Pilot Light Will Not Stay Lit
A Rheem pilot that dies is a thermocouple, FVIR screen, or gas valve — not a ritual relight. If you smell gas, leave and call a pro.
Continue reading →GasRheem Tankless Smells Like Gas? Leave
Odor at a Rheem tankless is mercaptan or a failed 11/12 trial. Leave, then hire a licensed 24/7 tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasRheem Failed Ignition Lockout
Rheem failed-ignition lockout is a missed spark trial, not a match. Count the LED, then hire a licensed plumber in your zip.
Continue reading →GasRheem Blue Light Flashing 7 Times
Seven blue flashes on a Rheem gas control is FVIR or a valve fault. Do not jumper it. Hire a licensed plumber in your zip.
Continue reading →GasRheem Gas Control or Valve Failure
Rheem gas-valve faults are millivolts, LED lockout, or a failed control. Do not swap it DIY. Hire a licensed plumber in your zip.
Continue reading →GasRheem Pressure Switch Failed Open
Failed-open on a Rheem is a blocked vent, condensate, or a dead blower. Do not jumper it. Hire a licensed plumber in your zip.
Continue reading →GasRheem Red Light Flashing 9 Times
Nine flashes on a Rheem gas control is a chamber sensor or valve fault. Do not jumper it. Hire a licensed plumber in your zip.
Continue reading →GasRheem Water Heater Smells Like Gas? Leave
Gas odor at a Rheem tank is mercaptan until a fitter says otherwise. Leave, then hire a licensed 24/7 tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasRheem Thermopile Voltage Low
Low millivolts on a Rheem thermopile drop the main or darken the LED. Confirm the sticker, then hire a licensed plumber in your zip.
Continue reading →GasRheem Water Heater Won't Light
A Rheem that will not light is a closed cock, lockout, or dead spark — not a thermocouple ritual. Hire a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasRichmond Water Heater Gas Valve Problems
Richmond gas-valve faults are a weak thermopile, FVIR lockout, or a failed control. Do not purge fittings. Hire a licensed plumber in your zip.
Continue reading →GasSmell Gas After Lighting the Water Heater?
Gas odor after a lighting attempt is unburned fuel or a leak. Leave. Do not relight. Get a licensed 24/7 tech in your zip now.
Continue reading →GasSmell Gas When the Water Heater Turns On?
Odor only when the burner fires is a leak or delayed ignition. Leave. Get a licensed 24/7 tech in your zip now.
Continue reading →GasState Select Gas Water Heater Troubleshooting
State Select gas dead? Pilot, FVIR, or the Honeywell control LED. Count flashes, then hire a licensed plumber in your zip.
Continue reading →GasState Select Igniter Not Working
A dark State Select igniter is HSI, lockout, or no 120 V — not a new tank. One look, then hire a licensed plumber.
Continue reading →GasState Select Pilot Light Won't Stay Lit
A State Select pilot that dies is a thermocouple, FVIR, or the gas valve. If you smell gas, leave. Hire a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasTankless Exhaust Smells Like Gas? Leave
Odor at a tankless flue is mercaptan or incomplete burn. Leave if it is indoors. Get a licensed 24/7 tech in your zip now.
Continue reading →GasUnitrol Water Heater Gas Valve Problems
Unitrol standing-pilot faults are millivolts, magnet, or thermocouple. Do not swap the valve. Hire a licensed tech.
Continue reading →GasWater Heater Blinking Blue Light
A blue blink is often a Rheem-family gas LED. Count the flashes, skip the jumper, then hire a licensed plumber in your zip.
Continue reading →GasPower-Vent Water Heater Blower Not Working
A dead power-vent blower is a CO event if you fire the burner anyway. Do not tape it. Hire a licensed tech now.
Continue reading →GasGas Water Heater Burner Not Lighting at All
No flame at all is a closed cock, dead spark, no gas, or lockout - not a stay-lit problem. Hire a licensed tech.
Continue reading →GasWater Heater Chamber Sensor Failure
A chamber or FVIR sensor lockout is a safety trip, not a $12 thermocouple. Do not jumper it. Hire a licensed tech.
Continue reading →GasWater Heater Closet Smells Like Gas? Leave
Gas odor in a heater closet is an emergency. Leave, call the utility from outside. Do not soap fittings. Get a licensed tech.
Continue reading →GasControl Box Leaking Gas? Get Out Now
Gas at the control box is an emergency. Leave, call the utility from outside. Do not soap fittings. Get a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasWater Heater Exhaust Blower Noise
A squeal or grind from the exhaust blower is a dying inducer or wet housing. Do not oil it. Hire a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasWater Heater Flame Too High? Shut Gas Off
A lifting or sooting flame is overfire, wrong orifice, or high manifold pressure. Shut the gas cock, then hire a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasGas Valve Electronic Fault Detected
An ICON or Honeywell electronic-fault LED is a lockout, not a DIY valve. Count flashes, then get a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasWater Leaking From the Gas Control Valve
Water at the gas valve is tracking or a dead tank. Shut the gas. Do not snug fittings. Hire a licensed plumber in your zip.
Continue reading →GasWater Heater Leaking From the Vent Collar
Water at the vent collar is condensate, rain, or a failed flue. Do not tape it. Get a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasWater Heater Made a Loud Bang? Stop
A bang is delayed ignition or FVIR, not a second relight. If you smell gas, leave. Get a licensed tech in your zip now.
Continue reading →GasWater Heater Not Getting Any Gas
No gas at the heater is a closed cock, empty LP, locked meter, or a dead valve. Do not crack fittings. Hire a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasWater Heater Piezo Igniter Won't Spark
No click, or click with no spark, is a dead piezo, wet electrode, or no gas. Stop clicking. Get a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasPilot Dies When You Turn the Temp Dial
Turning the dial up loads the millivolt circuit and the pilot drops. Do not keep relighting. Hire a licensed tech now.
Continue reading →GasPilot Light Goes Out in Cold Weather
Winter pilots die from wind, LP vaporization, tight closets, or FVIR lint. Do not keep relighting. Hire a licensed tech now.
Continue reading →GasPilot Lit but Main Burner Never Opens
Pilot on, main never fires: thermopile, ECO, or gas control — not a thermocouple. Get a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasPilot Still Dies After New Thermocouple
Wrong part, tip out of the flame, or a dead valve magnet — not another $12 sensor. Get a licensed plumber in your zip.
Continue reading →GasGas Thermal Switch Won't Reset
A thermal switch that will not click back is still hot, melted, or a blocked vent. Do not jumper it. Hire a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasWater Heater Thermocouple Problems
Pilot dies on release is millivolts, the tip, or the valve magnet — not another $12 sensor. Hire a licensed plumber in your zip.
Continue reading →GasWater Heater Vent Pipe Leaking? CO Risk
A leaking vent is condensate, rain, or a failed flue joint. Do not tape B-vent. Shut it down, then get a licensed tech in your zip.
Continue reading →GasWater Dripping on the Water Heater Pilot
A wet pilot is T&P tracking, draft-hood drip, or a tank leak at the door. Rust at the chamber means shut gas. Hire a licensed tech.
Continue reading →GasWhirlpool Pilot Light Won't Stay Lit
A Whirlpool pilot that dies is a thermocouple, dirty orifice, or FVIR — not luck. If you smell gas, leave and hire a licensed tech.
Continue reading →GasWhy Won't My Gas Water Heater Stay Lit?
A gas water heater that lights then dies is thermocouple, thermopile, draft, or the gas valve. If you smell gas, leave. Get a licensed tech now.
Continue reading →