Bradford White water heater error codes
How to read the codes
Bradford White gas water heaters flash a light on the ICON gas valve to report status and faults. The codes changed in January 2019, so check your serial number: a date code of TA or later means ICON 2.0.
All Bradford White codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 flash | Knob at pilot, or water is up to temperature (normal) |
| 1 flash per second | Burner heating (normal, ICON 2.0) |
| 2 flashes | Weak pilot signal (thermopile getting weak) Full guide |
| Quick 2-flash strobe | Burner heating (normal, ICON 1.0) |
| 3 flashes | Water not heating as fast as expected (ICON 1.0) Full guide |
| 4 flashes | High tank temperature Full guide |
| 5 flashes | Gas valve thermostat sensor fault Full guide |
| 6 flashes | Chamber door temperature sensor out of specification Full guide |
| 7 flashes | Gas valve electronic fault (ICON 1.0) Full guide |
| 8 flashes | Pilot stays lit with the knob off (ICON 1.0) Full guide |
| 9 flashes | Tank leak detected by accessory leak sensor Full guide |
| 10 flashes | Insufficient combustion air detected Full guide |
| No light | Pilot is out or the heater is not operating |
| Solid on | Control shutting down after the knob was turned off |
The ICON gas valve is powered by the pilot flame, so no pilot means no light. Once the pilot is lit, the light tells you whether the heater is idle, heating or reporting a problem. Fault codes are grouped flashes followed by a three-second pause.
ICON 1.0 or ICON 2.0?
Bradford White's quick service guides split the codes by control generation. Serial numbers with a date code before TA (January 2019) use ICON 1.0. TA and later use ICON 2.0. The biggest difference homeowners notice: on ICON 1.0, a quick two-flash strobe is normal heating, not the two-flash weak pilot warning.
What homeowners can do
- Relight the pilot by following the instructions printed on the heater's label.
- Keep lint, dust and stored items away from the base of the heater.
- Never store gasoline, solvents or pool chemicals near the heater.
Bradford White describes the flash codes as a tool for the professional plumber, and most of them lead to gas valve, sensor or pilot service. If a fault code appears, call a qualified technician.
Common questions
Is a blinking green light on a Bradford White normal?
Slow single flashes are normal. Grouped flashes followed by a three-second pause are warnings or faults.
How do I tell if my Bradford White is ICON 1.0 or 2.0?
Look at the first two letters of the serial number. A date code of TA (January 2019) or later means ICON 2.0.