A flashing light on the LED indicator is a clear sign that something’s wrong. Either it would be an emergency or a small problem that needs your attention.
The most common State Select water heater status light flashing codes include 1 flash, 2 flash, 4 flash, 5 flash, 7 flash & 8 flashes, indicating several malfunctions going through the system. Such as insufficient power to the gas control valve, exceeded water temperature, sensor failure, gas control valve failure, power off failure, and so on.
But the meaning of any blinking sequence will vary from different models of State water heaters. Don’t worry! I’m here to help you figure out what your heater is saying.
Also, I’ve conducted an in-depth guide, outlining all the probable reasons for each blinking code with their effective solutions. So, keep on reading till the end.
Table of Contents
State Select Water Heater Status Light Flashing [For Gas Models]
Whenever you encounter any of the error blinkings of your water heater, the first step would be to figure out the probable reasons for the codes and then head to the troubleshooting steps.
But before heading to the detailed troubleshooting, let’s have a glimpse at the below quick table highlighting the error meaning of the different status light blink of this water heater.
| LED Status | Error Meaning |
| LED not lit | The pilot is not lit or the pilot light doesn’t have enough power to keep it lit. |
| 1 flash every 3 seconds | Normal operation |
| 2 flashes every 3 seconds | Insufficient power to the gas control valve. |
| 4 flash every 3 seconds | Activated the overheat sensor due to high water temperature |
| 5 flash every 3 seconds | Sensor failure |
| 7 flash every 3 seconds | Gas control valve or thermostat failure |
| 8 flash every 3 seconds | Power off failure |
After previewing the error indications, let’s start by explaining the causes and solutions of your State water heater’s different times flashing lights.
01. No Status Light
If there is no blink in your State gas water heater, be sure it is an indication of the state select water heater pilot light malfunction. The pilot is not lighting or there is not enough power to keep it light.
How To Fix:
At the troubleshooting step, you need to light your pilot. For instance, go through the interaction manual labeled at the front of the water heater. After relighting check the status light for any blink code.
02. 1 Flash Every 3 seconds
One flash every 3 seconds on your State gas water heater signs the normal operation of the system. As there is no trouble in the unit, no corrective action is required for this blink.
03. 2 Flashes
State gas water heater status light blinks two flashes are the error indication of insufficient power to the gas control valve or thermostat.
How To Fix:
Inspect all the wiring connections to the water heater for any loose and damaged connections. Straighten the loose wiring and replace the worn-out ones.
Take a multimeter and measure the voltage going through the thermocouple. If it is less than 350 millivolts DC, replace the state-select water heater thermocouple or pilot assembly if needed.
04. 4 Flashes
If the status light on the State water heater blinks 4 times, be sure it is a sign of the high water heater temperature. That means the temp of the water has exceeded which activates the overheating sensor.
How To Fix:
First of all, check the thermostat on the gas valve and then turn the knob to the Off position. When the water will back to normal temp, turn the thermostat to the “On” position and set your desired temperature.
If still the same situation, I would recommend replacing the state select water heater thermostat assembly or the faulty gas valve.
05. 5 Flashes
5 flashes on the status light of your State Select water heater every three seconds indicate an internal sensor failure.
How To Fix:
When you have a 5-time blink on the status light, turn the control knob of the gas valve to the Off position. Right then turn off the gas supply to your water heater as well.
Inspect the sensor for any damage and replace it. If needed, replace the faulty gas valve assembly.
06. 7 Flashes
State Select gas water heater status light blinks 7 times is the error, signing you the gas control valve or the thermostat failure.
How To Fix:
As the error is a sign of the overall gas valve failure, you just need to replace the faulty part. Contact a professional for further discussion.
07. 8 Flashes
“8 flash” on the status light of the State Select water heater is the error sign of the power-off failure of the system.
How To Fix:
Inspect the pilot flame to see whether it is lighting or not. Set the control knob to the Off position and wait for one minute.
Then look through the sight glass of the pilot to see if the pilot flame is visible to you or not. If yes, be sure the pilot valve is stuck open. You just need to replace the gas control valve assembly.
In case, the flame is not observed, wait for 10 minutes for the thermocouple to cool, and then try to relight the pilot by following the lighting instructions on the water heater.
If still the problem persists, replace the gas control valve or thermostat assembly.
State Select Gas Water Heater Status Light Flashing [GS6 Non-condensing Power Direct Vent Models]
Follow the error meaning of the flashing codes and troubleshooting steps for the below gas GS6 models of the State water heater:
- GS6 40 YBPDT
- GS6 50 YBPDT
- GS6 50 YRPDT 5
- GS6 75 YRPDT 5
- GS6 40 UBPDS
- GS6 50 UBPDT
- GS6-40-YBVIS
- GS6-40-YRVIT
- GS6-50-YBVIS
- GS6-50-YRVIT
- GS6-50-YRVHSL
- GS6-75-YRVHTL
01. Short Flash Once Every Four Seconds
If there is a very short flash on the status light every four seconds, it tells you the normal condition of the heater. You don’t need any corrective action whenever you have this short blink on the status light.
02. One Flash In Three-Second Pause
One flash every three seconds on the status light of your State gas water heater is the signal of the low flame when the other operation is going on. It mainly happens due to the malfunction of the flame rod. Either it is not adjusted correctly or clogged by debris and shoots.
How To Fix:
Inspect the flame sensor rod for any defective. First off ensure it is seated properly in its place. If needed, take steel wool and clean out the flame sensor rod to avoid the lockout the next time.
03. Two Flash In Three Second Pause
If the pressure switch of your State Select water heater fails to close as it should or is stuck open, you will encounter two flashes on the status light every three-second difference.
The best chances are that the pressure switch is not connected correctly or is defective itself. At times, malfunctions in the blower assembly lead to this issue. Whatever the fact is, let’s track down the effective steps to resolve the code from your water heater status light.
How To Fix:
Start by inspecting the blower assembly for any blockages. If so, clean it and make sure it is in well working condition.
Then, inspect the air pressure sensing tube to see whether it is connected or kinked, or damaged. Then make sure the switch is connected or not bypassed.
When done, you need to do a continuity test of the switch. For instance, make sure you have turned off the power supply to your unit first. Now check for continuity with wires disconnected.
If the result shows positive, be sure the switch is faulty and you need to replace it. In case not, you need to replace the bad gas control valve. Expect that the blinks will be resolved.
04. Three Flash, Three Second Pause
When you notice three flashes on the status light on your State water heater, it is signing you that the pressure is stuck close. If this is happening, here are a few possible culprits. Such as,
- Inadequate venting
- Malfunctioning of the blower assembly
- Malfunctioning of the temperature limit switch
- Insufficient power supply to the switch
- Or, the broken switch
Check out the below information on how you will easily resolve this issue with your water heater:
How To Fix:
First off inspect the blower assembly to verify whether it is running on the needed 120 VAC. If not, check out the gas control valve and replace it if needed.
In case, you find that the blower isn’t running as it should, check out the proper power supply to this element. Examine the capacitor connection and rating. In many cases, you may need to replace the faulty blower assembly as well.
When done, head to the pressure switch to verify its condition.
- First off, make sure the sensing tubes are properly connected and not kinked or damaged.
- Then check the continuity of the pressure switch as well. Replace the switch if the contact remains open, assuming it is bad.
- Check the continuity of the temperature limit switch as well and replace it if needed.
Now at this point, inspect the exhaust and air intake of your water heater. Make sure there is no blockage by shoots or debris.
If so, just suck up the debris using a vacuum cleaner. Finally, ensure the correct size of the venting and adjust it as per the instruction manual.
05. Four Flash, Three Second Pause
Four flashes every three seconds on your State gas water heater status light signs that the limit lockout of the ECO due to exceeded temperature. When this happens, you just need to reset the ECO or energy cut-off switch following the below instructions:
- Turn the gas control knob to the lowest setting.
- Leave it in that position for about 10 seconds.
- After that time, return it to the desired set point.
Note that: You can reset the ECO manually only 2 times. If it trips the third time, the gas valve will enter a hard lockout. For instance, you may need to replace the gas control valve.
06. Five Flash, Three Second Pause
If the State water heater status light blinks five times every three seconds, be sure it is signing you about the flame malfunctions that have got out of sequence. These blinks mostly happen due to the malfunctions of the flame sensor rod. Chances are the rod is not seated properly or is clogged by debris.
How To Fix:
Start by turning off the power to the water heater. Let it unplug for about 10-20 seconds before turning the power to the ON position. It will clean the fault code.
Now, inspect the flame sensor to check its installation. Make sure it is seated correctly at its point. If needed, you may go through the manual. Then, take fine steel wool and rub the clogged rod to clean the shoots.
07. Six Flash, Three Second Pause
If the status light of your State Select gas water heater blinks six times every 3 seconds, it tells you that the heater goes into soft lockout. Now there would be two facts to concentrate on.
If it is a six-one flash in 3 seconds, it signs you that the system fails for ignition even after a few attempts. Conversely, six-three flashes in 3 seconds difference indicates the lost flame in the unit.
How To Fix:
Whatever the fact is, you can easily troubleshoot the codes following the below effective processes:
Step #1: First off, you need to measure the manifold gas pressure for your water heater as low fuel pressure is the most obvious reason for this blink. Go through the manual and make sure that the manifold gas pressure and supply pressure are within the requirements.
In many cases, you may need to replace the bad gas control valve.
Step #2: Now inspect the flame rod to verify its condition. Make sure it has good contact with the burner flame and the flame is steady. Also, don’t forget to clean out the rod using ultra-fine steel wool.
Step #3: Then head to the igniter to check out its positioning. It should be seated properly to provide consistent ignition. Also, check for any cracks and damages in igniter assembly ceramic insulators.
Plus, you need to check the continuity of the igniter as well, and it should be 42-76 ohms at room temperature. If not, you need to replace it.
Step #4: Finally inspect the exhaust and air intake pipes to ensure that they are correctly installed as per the instructions in the manual.
08. Six-Two Flash, Three-Second Pause
Six-two flashes every three seconds on the State water heater status light tells you that the system is in a soft lockout to malfunction to the pressure switch or limit switch.
How To Fix:
First off, ensure the blower is running. For instance, check for the 120 VAC to the blower during the heating cycles. If the blower fails to start, verify the proper power supply to the unit. Check if the capacitor is connected. If all is right, be sure the blower is defective and you need to replace it.
But in case, the blower is running but the gas control fails to energize it properly, replace the gas control.
When done, inspect the air pressure switch to verify its condition. For instance, do the following:
- First off, inspect the air pressure sensing tubes to ensure that they’re connected properly and free of any blockages.
- Now check for continuity of the switch and replace it if the result shows negative.
- Check for continuity of the vent temperature limit switch as well and replace it if needed.
After all that, you need to examine the exhaust and air intake to ensure that they’re installed as per the instructions in the manual. Also, there should not be any obstruction in the exhaust and air intake pipes to ensure fluent airflow in the system.
09. Seven Flash, Three-Second Pause
If you notice seven flashes in the status light every three-second difference, be sure it is an alarming sign of the flammable vapor sensor lockout. This error occurs due to any of the following reasons:
- FVS has a lockout due to sensing the presence of flammable vapor nearby.
- FVS is out of resistance
- Faulty FVS
- Or the issue might be occurring from the defective gas control valve
How To Fix:
First off, inspect the wiring harness to the FVS to find out any defection. If so, fixing the damaged part will resolve the issue. Also, measure the voltage reading of the FVS.
If needed, replace the faulty FVS. In many cases, you need to replace the defective gas control valve to clear the blinks and get the heater back into normal functions.
10. Eight Flash, Three Second Pause
Eight flashes every three seconds on the status light of your State water heater indicate the below errors of the system:
| Eight-One Flash, three-second pause | Flammable Vapour Sensor Fault Detected |
| Eight-Two Flash, three-second pause | Temperature Sensor Fault Detected |
| Eight-Three Flash, three-second pause | Electronics Fault Detected |
| Eight-Four Flash, three-second pause | Valve Fault Detected |
How To Fix:
Whenever there are eight blinks, simply turn off your State water heater. Leave it for about 10-20 seconds and then turn it ON again. The fault code will be erased. If not, you may need to replace the defective control.
State Select Electric Water Heater Status Light Flashing [For Electric Models]
Unlike the gas model, the State electric water heater features a diagnostic LED on the electronic thermoset assembly. Mainly it flashes the RED or Greenlight, indicating the several conditions of the system.
While operating the water heater, the LED indicator light will flash red to indicate the detected fault in the water. It will flash at different numbers of times at the sequence of 1 or 2 seconds time difference.
Here is the comprehensive list of the blinking light codes on the State Select electric water heater, explained with all the exact error indications and the corrective actions to resolve it.
01. 1 Flash
If the status light on your electric water heater blinks once in red color, be sure it is the error indication of the dry fire. That means the heating elements of the system are not submerged in water.
This is a common phenomenon for water heater users that is mainly caused by connecting the heater to the power before filling the tank.
Heating elements are a very vulnerable part of an electric water heater that needs to be submerged in a liquid to prevent failure. And when there is a lack of water, the status light starts flashing as a fault code.
How To Fix:
- At the very first step, you need to turn off the power supply to your water heater. Unplug the heater from the power connection and also flip the breaker to the Off position.
- Add the water to the tank. For instance, open the water supply valve and all the hot water fixtures. Make sure the drain valve remains closed.
- Now let the hot water run through the hot water fixtures for about three minutes. It will help air escape from the tank and pipes and fill up the tank with water.
- When the tank will fill with water at its capacity, simply turn on the power supply to your water heater. Expect that the fault code has been erased.
02. 2 Flashes
2 flash on the diagnostic LED of the State electric water heater is the error, indicating that the heater is overheating and the water temperature is exceeding the high limit.
How To Fix:
Whenever this error blinks on your status light, turn off the power supply just right then to avoid scalding. Otherwise, it would be far more dangerous and lead to severe injuries to your family members.
Anyway, after turning off the heater, try to reset the system by pressing the built-in reset button of state select water heater. When done, restore the power supply to your water heater and check for water temperature. If the same problem persists, call a technician to track down the further issues on your water heater.
03. 3 Flashes
3 flash on the LED status light of your State electric water heater gives you the sign of a failed upper thermistor. The upper thermistor is an essential part of the electronic thermostat that helps to regulate the water heater temperature.
Anyway, in any case, if it fails or stops working, the controller detects the faults and throws the 3-flash error on the status light.
How To Fix:
Before touching the defective part, make sure you have turned off the power supply to your water heater first. Then remove the front cover of the electronic thermostat to inspect the thermistor. Replace the bad ET to clear the fault code.
04. 4 Flashes
When you see the 4 flashes on your State water heater status light, you can consider it as the thermistor circuit failure while the lower element is still operable.
How To Fix:
Turn off the electric supply to your water heater by unplugging it from the power connection. Now inspect the thermostat for any defection. Ensure there is a snug wiring connection to the thermostat.
Then, take a voltage meter and measure the voltage going through the thermostat. It should give a reading between 5-25 ohms. If not, you need to replace it.
05. 5 Flashes
When you see your State electric water heater status light blinking 5 times, be sure the defective lower heating element is causing it. In such a case, you will find that the upper heating element is operating quite well.
How To Fix:
Inspect the lower heating element to check the voltage amount going through it. Take a voltage meter and test the element. It should give a reading between f 5-25 ohms. If not, simply you need to replace it to get the hater back to normal.
06. 6 Flashes, 8 Flashes, 9-12 FLASHES
The error indication for the 6 flashes, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12 Flashes on the State water heater status light is an error indication of the electronic thermostat failure.
How To Fix:
Turn off the power supply to your water heater and remove the front cover to access the thermostat assembly.
First off, check the wiring connection at Electronic Thermostat (ET) for damage. Fix the loose wiring and replace the bad ones.
Then, test the thermostat electrically to ensure the continuity of the element. If the result shows negative, you just need to replace the bad electronic thermostat.
07. 7 Flashes
The root reason for flashing the status light 7 times on the State electric water heater is the lower thermistor sensor failure.
How To Fix:
At this stage when you are sure about a failed lower thermistor, you just need to replace it. But before that, check the electrical connection of the lower thermistor at the Electronic Thermostat (ET) and replace the bad sensor.
Contact a professional to perform the replacement job.
FAQs:
How to adjust the temperature on my State Select water heater?
First off, set the gas valve to the desired temperature. For instance, The “HOT” setting is highly recommended to set the temp at 120°F. you may also set the temp higher at any of the settings- “A”- 128°F, “B”-138°F, “C”-147°F & “VERY HOT”-160°F.
Why there is no hot water in my State select water heater?
If you’re running out of hot water, check the status light for any blinking codes. If there is more than one blink every three seconds, figure out the meaning and resolve it. Also, make sure that the gas control knob is set to HOT.
Why is the water heater from my State Select water heater smelling like a “Rotten Egg?”
Bad water odor mainly results from bacterial growth. Also, a defective anode rod is another reason to blame. First off, glimpse the anode rod and replace the anode rod if needed. Also, increase the temperature to 140°F to reduce bacterial growth.
In Closing
Unlike other gas water heater models, the State Select water heater equips a diagnostic LED indicator. While operating, it may start flashing signaling whether or not the water heater is working properly.
Either it would be a simple normal operation or sometimes wrong. At times, the error message signs you are in danger, and why you may unexpectedly run out of hot water as well. Thus, quick observation and troubleshooting are a must!
For instance, our comprehensive State Select water heater status light flashing code guide is enough to prove well. Expect that, you’ve got it all and resolved your issue successfully.
Still, if you have any further queries, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Also, in case you’re struggling with any issues on your State Select electric water heater, you can easily resolve them through our troubleshooting guide on State Select electric water heater.