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Rinnai · Fault codes

No ignition (heater not turning on)

Displayed as: 11

LockoutRinnai SENSEI RU residential condensing tankless (RU130/160/180/199, indoor and outdoor)

Rinnai's installation and operation manual for the RU series lists diagnostic code 11 as "No Ignition (Heater Not Turning On)". The manual's checks are: confirm the gas is turned on at the water heater, meter or cylinder; on propane, confirm there is gas in the tank; ensure the gas type and inlet gas pressure are correct; bleed all air from the gas lines; check the PC board ground wire; ensure the flame-rod wire is connected; ensure the igniter is operational; check the gas solenoid valves for open or short circuits; and verify the gas orifice is correct. Several of these are marked as technician procedures referencing the electrical diagnostics on the unit's technical data sheet.

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Applies to

This code and wording come from manual 100000467, which covers the indoor RU199i, RU180i, RU160i and RU130i and the outdoor RU199e to RU130e. Rinnai's cross-series troubleshooting document 100000652 lists code 11 as applying to both SENSEI and non-SENSEI series, and the V-series manual 100000258 uses the same meaning, so on a Rinnai the number is consistent across generations. On other brands, 11 means something else or nothing at all.

Control platform: Rinnai PC board with digital controller display. Source manual: 100000467 (rev. 07 on rinnai.ca) (2020–2021).

Why a code is not a diagnosis

Code 11 tells you the burner did not light within the control's trial window; it does not say why. A closed valve, an empty propane cylinder, low supply pressure, air in a new gas line, a disconnected flame rod, a failed igniter, a faulty gas solenoid, a wrong orifice for the fuel, or a board grounding fault can all produce the same code. Only on-site testing of gas supply, ignition and flame-sensing circuits distinguishes them.

Same code, other equipment

  • Rinnai V-series and RL/RUC non-condensing tankless: Same meaning, No Ignition, per manual 100000258 and troubleshooting document 100000652. Source
  • Other brands: Code numbers are brand-specific. An 11 on a Navien, Noritz or Bosch control is not documented here and must be checked against that unit's own manual.

Safe things to observe

  • Note the exact code and whether it returns immediately after a reset or only after a period of use.
  • Check whether other gas appliances in the home are working, which points to supply rather than the heater.
  • Confirm the unit has power (display lit) and that its breaker or outlet has not tripped.
  • On propane, check the tank gauge; on natural gas, check that the meter valve has not been closed for work.
  • Look, without touching anything, for a blocked or iced vent termination outside.

Do not

  • Do not repeatedly reset the unit to force ignition attempts.
  • Do not open the gas valve, adjust gas pressure, change the orifice or touch the igniter or flame rod.
  • Do not attempt to bleed or purge a gas line yourself.
  • Do not bypass or disconnect any safety control to get the unit to light.

How professional service helps

  1. A licensed gas fitter measures inlet and manifold gas pressure and confirms the fuel type matches the unit.
  2. Air is purged from the gas line and the meter and shut-off state are verified.
  3. The igniter, flame rod, wiring and PC board ground are tested against Rinnai's electrical diagnostics.
  4. Gas solenoid valves are checked for open or short circuits and the orifice verified before the unit is returned to service.
  5. Combustion, venting and the condensate trap are checked at the same visit, since a blocked trap or vent triggers other codes.

Diagnostic visit

Repair visits carry a diagnostic service fee that CANRO states is credited toward the repair if you proceed. The amount is confirmed by phone; it is not published. Source, checked September 7, 2026.

Where CANRO provides on-site service

On-site service is currently offered across Metro Vancouver: Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, New Westminster, Delta, Langley, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, White Rock, Tsawwassen; plus Anmore, Belcarra, Lions Bay, Bowen Island, Abbotsford with travel or ferry arrangements confirmed by phone. Everything else on this site is reference information you can use anywhere in Canada.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I just reset the unit?

Rinnai's manual allows checking the obvious supply items and then resetting once. If code 11 returns, stop resetting and call; repeated attempts do not clear the underlying cause.

Does code 11 mean I have a gas leak?

Not by itself. If you smell gas, stop, go outside and call the FortisBC emergency line at 1-800-663-9911 or 911 before anything else. Otherwise code 11 usually points to supply, ignition or wiring causes that a technician confirms on site.

What is the difference between code 11 and code 12?

On the same manual, 12 is No Flame: the burner lit but flame was lost or not sensed. 11 means it never lit. Both share gas-supply checks; 12 adds flame-rod and airflow checks.

My Rinnai shows code 10 instead. Is that related?

Code 10 is documented as air supply or exhaust blockage or a full condensate trap. It is a different fault with different checks; see the manual or call with the code ready.

Locked out with no hot water? Call with the code ready.

The brand, model and this code are passed along when you request service online, so the technician arrives prepared.

On-site service in Metro Vancouver, BC. Call to check availability.

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Related

Sources and verification

Facts checked September 7, 2026. Last updated September 7, 2026. Technical reviewer: not yet assigned.

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