How To Fix Rheem Error Code 12

When it comes to technology, error codes are never a good sign, and that’s especially true when it comes to tankless water heaters. So when your Rheem tankless water heater isn’t producing hot water because of error code 12, it can be enough reason to panic. Fortunately, there are some ways on how to fix Rheem error code 12, and we’ll explain how.

At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’ve cleared error codes off tankless water heaters for over 15 years. Our technicians work with the top tankless water heater brands, such as Rheem, to help homeowners in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas diagnose and repair any issues caused by error codes. One of the frequent error codes we’ve cleared plenty of times is Rheem error code 12.

• What does Rheem’s error code 12 mean
• How to clear Rheem’s error code
• What to do if other error codes appear

Before we jump in any further, it’s important to understand that you’ll likely need a professional technician to clear Rheem error code 12 from your tankless water heater. Now that we got that out of the way let’s start by explaining what Rheem error code 12 means.

What Does Rheem Error Code 12 Mean?

Rheem error code 12 means there is a flame failure on your Rheem tankless water heater. A lack of flame cuts off any water heating, and you will immediately notice a lack of hot water in your home. Flame failure usually occurs within the ignition system of a tankless water heater.

Error code 12 can appear on your Rheem tankless water heater for any of the following reasons.

• Lack of flame during the ignition phase: When your tankless water heater detects a need for hot water, it activates a combustion process. Worn-out or dirty parts can prevent a flame from starting, triggering error code 12.
• Insufficient gas supply: Rheem error code 12 is unique to gas-powered tankless water heaters. If there’s an issue with the gas supply, such as it being shut off, then it can cause error code 12 to appear.
• Faulty parts: The following components all work in a tangent to produce the flame that heats water: flame sensor, burner, igniter, and thermocouple. If these parts are defective, they can’t create a flame and cause Rheem error code 12 to appear.

These may not be the only reasons why error code 12 is appearing on your Rheem tankless water heater. The best way to determine what is causing the Rheem error code to appear on your tankless water heater is to contact a certified tankless water heater technician.

Although Rheem has a customer service line for technical support, they can be limited with the assistance they can provide since they’re available over the phone and not in person. They will refer you to contact a professional, which is also the first step toward clearing Rheem error code 12 from your tankless water heater.

How to Fix Rheem Error Code 12?

If you notice Rheem error code 12 appears on your tankless water heater, it’s highly recommended to contact a technician immediately. With their technical background, a professional can inspect and diagnose your Rheem tankless water heater to see what’s causing error code 12 to appear.

A technician can take a few hours to inspect and repair your tankless water heater, but repair times vary and can be impacted by the availability of parts. Most technicians have access to spare parts required to complete tankless water heater repairs. Still, there’s a slight possibility of waiting a few business days for a part to arrive if it’s needed to complete a repair to clear Rheem error code 12.

If the issue is related to a faulty part, such as the flame sensor, for example, then the technician can also contact Rheem on the homeowner’s behalf to submit a warranty claim. Rheem’s warranty states that any parts found to be defective can be covered under their manufacturer’s warranty.

Once the issue is resolved, the technician will perform various tests to ensure that the tankless water heater produces a flame and the home has access to hot water in all available fixtures.

Even if error code 12 is cleared off your Rheem tankless water heater, there’s a small chance that other error codes may appear in the future.

Dealing With Other Rheem Tankless Water Heater Error Codes?

Rheem error code 12 is just one of the many error codes that can appear on your Rheem tankless water heater. Rheem has over 25 error codes documented, but the good news is that these codes are all fixable. Some of these error codes are more frequent than others, however.

With your smartphone, you can download EcoNet from Rheem to stay up-to-date with error code notifications. The app allows homeowners to control some of the settings on their Rheem tankless water heaters, along with notifying them of error codes. This will enable you to act immediately should any Rheem error code appear.

One of the best ways to lower the chances of an error code appearing on your Rheem tankless water heater is by staying on top of annual tankless water heater maintenance. By having a technician annually maintain and service your Rheem tankless water heater, you can ensure any potential issues are addressed right away before they trigger any error codes.

Up to Speed With Rheem Error Code 12

Rheem error code 12 may disrupt your access to hot water in your home, but it’s only temporary. Now that you know what Rheem error code 12 is, you can feel assured knowing it is completely fixable by contacting a technician for further assistance.

Since 2007, we at Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric have worked closely with Rheem to identify any issues causing error codes to appear. Since then, we’ve cleared thousands of error codes from Rheem tankless water heaters for homeowners all across Los Angeles and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Ready to tackle Rheem error code 12 or any issue with your tankless water heater? Contact us using one of the buttons below. Book an appointment with any of our technicians through our tankless repair online scheduler.

To help you prepare for your technician appointment, learn how much it may cost to repair a tankless water heater.