Navien tankless water heaters are some of the most reliable options on the market, but that doesn’t mean you won’t run into an error code or two over their lifespan. Some error codes are more common than others, and in Los Angeles County and its surrounding areas, Navien error code 11 is one of the more frequent error codes to pop up.
We’ve been diagnosing and addressing tankless water heater error codes since 2007, and one thing we can say for certain is that some error codes crop up more than others. While Navien tankless water heaters ultimately fulfill the same purpose as other manufacturers' products, their most common error codes vary and require special attention.
Let’s clear something up right away. Unplugging and plugging your Navien tankless water heater back in again won’t resolve your issue. It may temporarily eliminate the error code, but your underlying problem will still be there. You’ll need the help of a technician to diagnose and resolve an error code properly.
But before we jump in, and if you're interested in learning more about Navien, download our free Navien Tankless Water Heater Guide below. This guide will give you a breakdown of the most common Navien error codes in Los Angeles County and much more.
Now, on with the show. In this article, we’ll cover what Navien error code 11 is and how to resolve it. Let’s jump in with a quick overview of what this error code means before we move into the next steps to resolve it.
What Does Navien Error Code 11 Mean?
If you run into error code 11, you’ll have noticed a lack of hot water first. This lack of hot water is caused by your Navien tankless water heater not igniting.
This issue can trigger for a couple of reasons, with the most common cause being the simplest to fix. Many times, technicians report that this error is caused by the tankless water heater’s earthquake shut-off valve being tripped. If the earthquake shut-off valve triggers, it will cut off the gas supply to your tankless water heater.
To be clear, you can trip the earthquake shut-off valve by simply bumping your tankless water heater while taking out your trash cans. It’s also been reported that other maintenance teams or landscapers have bumped the tankless water heater with their equipment, causing the same effect.
While the earthquake shut-off valve is the most common cause for Navien error code 11, it’s also possible that there isn’t enough gas coming into your tankless water heater. This is another common report from technicians and is easily fixed and easily prevented since it typically points to a dirty gas manifold.
So, How Do You Fix Navien Error Code 11?
Fixing Navien error code 11 is a piece of cake with the right knowledge and the right tools. But first things first, you’ll need to contact a technician to make sure the job gets done right. When dealing with any gas-related issue, the safest bet is to have a professional handle the fixing since they understand how to avoid unnecessary risks when repairing.
Once your technician arrives at your home, they’ll conduct a thorough inspection of your tankless water heater and your entire plumbing system. Doing a full inspection will rule out any other potential issues that could have led to your Navien tankless water heater cutting out.
If the problem ends up being tied to the earthquake shut-off valve, your technician will reset it and have your tankless water heater up and running in no time. It’s a simple fix, but you’ll need a technician to ensure there aren’t any other underlying issues that play a hand in you losing hot water.
On the other hand, if the issue turns out to be a lack of gas entering the system, your issue might be with the gas manifold. In most cases, the gas manifold just needs to be cleaned, and your Navien tankless water heater will be back in shape once your technician is done cleaning it. Of course, the best way to prevent this issue is by having yearly maintenance performed, which includes a deep cleaning of your Navien’s internals.
Running into Other Error Codes?
Even if you’ve resolved one error code, it’s likely that you’ll run into another one over the course of owning your Navien tankless water heater. You can mitigate this risk by performing yearly maintenance, which will save you some headaches down the road.
Maintenance is more important in some areas than others. For instance, in areas with hard water, like Los Angeles County and its surrounding areas, yearly maintenance is crucial to keeping tankless water heaters running. The hard water can cause excess build-up in the heat exchanger, which can cause serious error codes that are quite expensive to resolve, like Navien error code 016.
On top of preventing early breakdowns and extending the life of your Navien, yearly maintenance is sometimes tracked by the manufacturer and can play a hand in keeping your tankless water heater under warranty. Because of this, it is always advised to perform yearly maintenance to ensure you maximize your warranty term.
For a better look at the most common Navien error codes in Los Angeles County, visit our comprehensive list here. With this list, you’ll be able to check out the most common Navien error codes in the area and also see what causes them, so you can take the right preventative steps to avoid them altogether.
In the Know on Navien Error Code 11
We’ve touched on what Navien error code 11 means, how to resolve it, and what you can do to prevent future error codes. Now, you’re ready to confidently explain your issue to a technician to ensure your Navien error code is resolved in a timely manner and with minimal hassle.
We’ve been getting after tankless water heater error codes for over 15 years, and we can tell you from experience that these are common issues with oftentimes simple solutions. While some error codes indicate larger problems than others, maintenance is typically the key to preventing error codes altogether.
If your Navien tankless water heater is displaying an error code and you live in the Los Angeles area or a surrounding city, get in touch using one of the buttons below or visit our tankless water heater service page to schedule a consultation or maintenance call.
If you’ve never scheduled yearly maintenance before, brushing up on the different types of tankless water heater maintenance will give you a better idea of its importance. You’ll also get a better understanding of what you’re paying for when a technician comes out to visit.
If you have more questions about Navien after experiencing error code 11, check out our free Navien Tankless Water Heater Guide to get an idea of how Navien holds up compared to the competition.
