Rheem Failed Ignition Lockout: Soft vs Hard Lockout

The Short Answer: A failed-ignition lockout means the control tried to light the burner several times, never detected a flame, and stopped trying. On Rheem power-vent tanks a soft lockout retries after about five minutes. A hard lockout, after repeated failures, needs power turned off and on. The usual causes are gas supply, the igniter or pilot, or flame sensing. Check the gas supply and reset once.

Which Rheem heaters have this lockout

Standard atmospheric Rheem tanks with a standing pilot and a thermopile don’t use an ignition lockout; their status light reports other faults. The lockout described here applies to Rheem heaters with electronic ignition:

The power-vent codes and timings come from Rheem’s Technical Bulletin 1627 (opens in a new tab) and the power vent Use & Care manual (opens in a new tab). The condensing A001 code is listed in Rheem’s condensing service manual (opens in a new tab).

Common causes

The power vent manual lists, for both code 11 and code 10: the gas supply is off or too low, then the pilot assembly, then the gas control. TB 1627 adds carbon on the igniter electrode, damaged igniter wiring, and restricted pilot or burner supply tubes. In practice:

• Gas supply: valve partly closed, propane low, or supply pressure too low when other appliances run.
• Ignition: a worn or carboned igniter, or a damaged igniter lead.
• Flame sensing: the flame lights but isn’t detected, so the control shuts it off.
• After gas work: air in a newly connected line can cause repeated failed trials.

What you can check safely

1. Note the flash pattern or display code before you do anything.
2. Confirm the gas valve to the heater is fully open and other gas appliances work. On propane, check the tank.
3. Make sure the heater is plugged in and the vent termination outside is clear.
4. If it’s a hard lockout (code 10 or A001), turn power off and back on once. A soft lockout (code 11) will retry on its own.
5. If it locks out again, leave it off and call for service.

What the technician will check

A technician will measure gas pressure at the heater, watch an ignition attempt, and inspect and clean or replace the igniter and pilot assembly. They also check flame-sensing current and the gas control. The burner door on these heaters is sealed with a gasket, and Rheem says only a qualified technician should remove it and fit a new gasket.

Repair or replace

Lockouts are usually solved with a gas supply correction, a pilot or igniter assembly, or a gas control. Replacement only makes sense if the tank is leaking or the heater has other major failures.

Related: Rheem code 11 on different Rheem heaters and Rheem pressure switch failed open.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did my Rheem start working again by itself? A: A soft lockout clears after about five minutes and the control tries again. If conditions changed, for example another appliance stopped using gas, it may light. The underlying cause is probably still there.

Q: Can I light it manually while it’s locked out? A: No. Electronic-ignition Rheem heaters aren’t designed to be lit by hand, and the burner chamber is sealed. Call for service if a reset doesn’t work.