Skip to Content

Rheem Water Heater Troubleshooting Flashing Light

Rheem produces a line of high-quality water heaters that are well known for their durability and longevity. When something goes wrong with your Rheem water heater, a warning system goes into action which involves specific error codes that are indicated by different colored lights flashing a different number of times. Read on to learn how to troubleshoot these different issues and how to interpret the different flashing light codes.

If you want to know how to fix the flashing light, be aware that one flashing light on your Rheem Water heater indicates that either the water heater has no access to the water supply of the unit or that there is no water at all available in the entire water heater unit.

Home inspector checking water heater

If this is the case, check for leaks in the entire water heater so that they can be repaired.

Rheem Water Heater Flashing Blue Light 7 Times

Man making adjustments on his home water heater

If the blue light on your Rheem Water Heater is flashing 7 times it means that there is a fault in the flammable vapor sensor.

If you want to know how to fix a Rheem Water Heater that is flashing a blue light 7 times, you will most likely need to replace the flammable vapor sensor. Be sure to consult your owner’s manual for proper replacement directions.

In addition, you may need to get the assistance of a Factory Trained Certified Rheem Water Heater Technician to replace the flammable vapor sensor.

Rheem Water Heater Red Light Flashing 7 Times

Home inspector checking water heater

If your Rheem water heater red light is flashing, it’s likely because the unit is experiencing a problem. The top cause of this issue is a tripped high limit switch, which can occur due to overheating or a malfunctioning component. To fix this, turn off the power to the unit and wait for it to cool down. Then, press the reset button on the high limit switch to restore power.

Rheem Water Heater Blinking Red Light Codes

Home inspector checking water heater

A Blinking Red Light Code on your Rheem Water heater indicates that the water heater is in the process of shutting down. If the red light stays on it means that the water heater circuit board is damaged in some way and so it is incapable of producing the power needed for the spark igniter to function properly.

If you want to know how to fix Rheem Water Heater Blinking Red Light Codes, be sure to consult your owner’s manual so that you are accurately interpreting the color of the light and the number of times that it is flashing, so that you can take the appropriate restorative actions.

Rheem Water Heater Flashing Blue Light Codes

Troubleshooting water heater pilot

Rheem Water Heater’s flashing blue lights means that there is a problem with the water heater which you can find listed in a chart in your owner’s manual.  

If you want to know how to fix Rheem Water Heater Blinking Blue Light Codes, be sure to consult your owner’s manual so that you are accurately interpreting the color of the light and the number of times that it is flashing, so that you can take the appropriate restorative actions.

Rheem Water Heater Flashing Red Light 2 Times

Troubleshooting water heater pilot

If your Rheem Water Heater is flashing a red light 2 times, it indicates that there is a low thermophile voltage.

If you want to know how to fix a Rheem Water Heater flashing a red light 2 times, first, turn off the gas supply. Then disconnect the appropriate wires and remove the Manifold Door. Now, take out the Pilot Assembly and the Thermophile Wire.

Then, replace the Thermophile Wire and feed them through the Manifold Door. Now, install the Manifold Component Block and reconnect the Thermal Switch Wiring.    

Rheem Water Heater Flashing Blue Light 3 Times

White residential water heater

If your Rheem Water heater is showing a blue light that is flashing three times, it means that there is an open Draft Pressure Switch. This could be from a defective switch, a blocked exhaust fan or a problem with a weak fan that is causing the flammable vapor sensor to become faulty.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on April 8, 2022.

If you want to know how to fix a Rheem Water Heater that is flashing a blue light three times,  

Rheem Water Heater Flashing Blue Light 6 Times

White residential water heater

If your Rheem Water heart is flashing a blue light 6 times, this usually means there is a leak in the water heater. This is usually a slow leak that causes your Rheem Water Heater to stop and start.

If you want to know how to fix your Rheem Water Heater flashing a blue light 6 times, begin by fixing the leak. Dry out any accumulated water, which should take about 2 days. Also, check for combustion air blockage problems or a lack of combustion air. Also, clean out the air inlet holes.

Rheem Water Heater Flashing Blue Light 8 Times

Troubleshooting water heater pilot

A Rheem Water Heater that is flashing a blue light 8 times indicates that the Flammable Vapor Sensor is Out of Specification and the thermostat well and the sensor are either faulty or might be unplugged.

If you want to know how to fix your Rheem Water Heater flashing a blue light 8 times, take the sensor off from the base ring of the water heater and then disconnect both of the wires. Now, go ahead and do a resistance reading.

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on April 8, 2022.

Take this resistance reading between both wire terminals of the Flammable Vapor Sensor and note down the resistance reading.  

You may also have a Rheem Flammable Vapor Sensor reset problem. This is usually from gasoline or any other type of flammable gas product that is around the Flammable Vapor Sensor.

This results in a lockout or a reset problem of the Rheem Flammable Vapor Sensor which will cause the water heater to not be able to either start or to work at all.

Related Articles

Rheem Water Heater Not Working/Troubleshooting

Rheem Water Heater Heating Problem

ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on April 8, 2022.

Resetting Rheem Water Heater