Rinnai 61
Rinnai code 61: combustion fan fault
Short answer
Code 61 means the combustion fan motor has a fault. Rinnai's steps are to check the wiring, remove the fan and make sure the wheel spins freely, look for debris in the housing, check the check valve behind the fan on newer models, test the motor windings and replace the motor or control board.
In this guide
A tankless heater cannot burn gas safely without its combustion fan. When the control board sees the fan is not running at the right speed, or not at all, it shuts down and shows code 61.
Rinnai makes several generations of tankless heaters (SENSEI, SENSEI RX/CX and older non-SENSEI models). The meaning below comes from Rinnai's own diagnostic code guide; the exact service steps differ slightly between generations.
Common causes
- Debris in the fan housing that keeps the wheel from turning freely
- A worn or seized fan motor
- Damaged wiring between the fan and the control board
- A check valve behind the fan stuck closed, on SENSEI models
- A control board that is not driving the fan properly, once the motor tests good
What you can check
- Listen when a hot tap opens. A grinding or rattling sound before the code points to the fan.
- Check the intake and exhaust terminals outside for nests or debris that could have been drawn in.
- Reset the unit once from the controller.
Rinnai warns never to plug or unplug the fan motor with power connected, as it can damage the motor and other parts. Leave fan work to a technician.
Repair or replace?
A new fan motor is a common repair on a unit that is otherwise in good shape. On an older heater with other problems, such as scale damage or repeated codes, compare the repair quote with the tankless water heater installation cost for a new unit.
See the full list on our Rinnai error codes page.
Common questions
Why is my Rinnai making a loud noise and showing code 61?
A noisy fan usually means worn bearings or debris in the housing. The fan will need to be cleaned or replaced.
How long does a Rinnai fan motor last?
There is no fixed lifespan, but dust, lint and debris shorten it. Keeping the area around the heater clean helps.
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Other Rinnai codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 02 | No burner operation during freeze protection |
| 03 | Power interruption during bath fill |
| 05 | Bypass flow control device fault |
| 10 | Air supply, exhaust blockage or condensate trap full |
| 11 | No ignition |
| 12 | Flame failure |
| 14 | Thermal fuse or overheat sensor tripped |
| 15 | Venturi control fault |
| 16 | Outgoing water temperature too high (safety shutdown) |
| 17 | Venturi blockage |
| 19 | Electrical grounding fault |
| 21 | Data transfer error after a control board replacement |
| 25 | Condensate drain clogged or condensate pump error |
| 32 | Outgoing water temperature sensor (thermistor) fault |
| 33 | Heat exchanger temperature sensor (thermistor) fault |
| 34 | Combustion air temperature sensor fault |
| 38 | Exhaust gas temperature sensor fault |
| 41 | Freeze protection sensor fault |
| 51 | Inlet water temperature sensor fault |
| 52 | Gas valve or modulating solenoid valve signal fault |
| 54 | High exhaust gas temperature |
| 57 | Burner overheat switch open |
| 58 | Secondary heat exchanger overheat |
| 61 | Combustion fan motor fault |
| 63 | Recirculation low flow |
| 65 | Water flow control device (servo) fault |
| 70 | Control board (PC board) fault |
| 71 | Gas solenoid valve circuit fault |
| 72 | Flame rod (flame sensing) fault |
| 73 | Burner thermocouple fault |
| 79 | Water leak detected inside the unit |
| LC | Scale buildup in the heat exchanger |
| SS | Service soon (maintenance reminder) |
| FF | Maintenance has been performed (service history marker) |