Bradford White gas water heater: what the status light means
If you smell gas
Stop: do not relight or troubleshoot anything. Bradford White’s own words (first page of both Installation and Operation Manuals, 238-51007-00R and the Ultra Low NOx 238-53393-00K):
- DO NOT try to light any appliance.
- DO NOT touch any electrical switch.
- DO NOT use any phone in your building.
- Immediately call your gas supplier from a neighbor’s phone. Follow the gas supplier’s instructions.
- If you cannot reach your gas supplier, call the fire department.
Calling from a neighbor’s phone means leaving the building first.
Bradford White’s gas water heaters with the ICON System electronic gas control have one status LED on the control. Its Installation and Operation Manual gives three separate LED tables, because ICON controls have been made by Resideo (two versions, V1 and V2) and by SIT, and the same pattern does not always mean the same thing on each. Bradford White’s own FAQ calls the flashing light a feature designed to help the professional plumber, and says to contact a plumbing professional if the heater has operating issues; the owner-level meaning is what these pages give.
The LED is on the ICON gas control on the front of the tank, with the set point knob (OFF, PILOT and temperature settings). The manual’s tables are headed by the control’s maker — Resideo V1, Resideo V2 or SIT; only the Resideo V2 table names LED colours (green, yellow, red). Heaters with the mechanical White Rodgers gas control have no status LED. If you cannot tell which control you have, each page here shows what every table says for that pattern.
LED off, not flashing
ICON control by Resideo, V1: Millivolt power is not present: the pilot is out, so the gas valve is not powered.
ICON control by Resideo, V2: Millivolt power is not present: the gas valve is not powered.
ICON control by SIT: The control is off: the main burner and the pilot burner are both off.
A fault or shutdown: see the page for the owner steps and when to call for service.
1 flash, then a pause of 3 to 4 seconds
ICON control by Resideo, V1: No fault.
ICON control by Resideo, V2: Not an error: the pilot is lit and the main burner is off.
ICON control by SIT: Not an error: the pilot is lit and the main burner is off.
Normal operation.
1 flash every second
ICON control by Resideo, V2: Not an error: the main valve is open and the main burner is lit, heating the water.
ICON control by SIT: Not an error: the main valve is open and the main burner is lit.
Normal operation.
2 quick flashes (a strobe), then a pause
No fault: the thermostat is calling for heat and the water heater is operating normally.
Normal operation.
LED on steady
ICON control by Resideo, V1: The set point knob has recently been turned to OFF.
ICON control by Resideo, V2: Not an error: the control is in OFF mode.
ICON control by SIT: Not an error: the control is in shutdown mode because the set point knob was recently turned to OFF.
Normal operation.
2 flashes, then a 3-second pause
ICON control by Resideo, V1: Weak pilot flame detected.
ICON control by Resideo, V2: Low thermopile voltage, so the main valve is not turned on.
ICON control by SIT: Low thermopile voltage; the main burner is not lit.
A fault or shutdown: see the page for the owner steps and when to call for service.
3 flashes, then a 3-second pause
Insufficient water heating.
A fault or shutdown: see the page for the owner steps and when to call for service.
4 flashes, then a 3-second pause
ICON control by Resideo, V1: Excessive tank temperature.
ICON control by Resideo, V2: The temperature cut-out limit was reached, causing a shutdown.
ICON control by SIT: The temperature cut-out limit was reached, causing a shutdown; excessive temperatures may have been reached.
A fault or shutdown: see the page for the owner steps and when to call for service.
5 flashes, then a 3-second pause
ICON control by Resideo, V1: Temperature sensor fault.
ICON control by Resideo, V2: An electronics, sensor or gas valve fault has been detected.
ICON control by Resideo, V2, on Ultra Low NOx models: Water temperature sensor failure.
ICON control by SIT: An electronics, sensor or gas valve fault has been detected.
A fault or shutdown: see the page for the owner steps and when to call for service.
6 flashes, then a 3-second pause
ICON control by Resideo, V1: A water leak has been detected by an accessory module (some models only): an excessive amount of water in the drain pan or water dam.
ICON control by Resideo, V2, on Ultra Low NOx models: Door temperature sensor failure.
A fault or shutdown: see the page for the owner steps and when to call for service.
7 flashes, then a 3-second pause
A gas valve electronic fault has been detected.
A fault or shutdown: see the page for the owner steps and when to call for service.
8 flashes, then a 3-second pause
A false pilot flame is present: the pilot valve is stuck in the open position.
A fault or shutdown: see the page for the owner steps and when to call for service.
9 red flashes, then a 3-second pause (Ultra Low NOx)
Tank leakage has been detected by an accessory module.
A fault or shutdown: see the page for the owner steps and when to call for service.
10 red flashes, then a 3-second pause (Ultra Low NOx)
An abnormal combustion chamber temperature profile was seen during the heating cycle.
A fault or shutdown: see the page for the owner steps and when to call for service.
Bradford White’s manual: “CAUTION: For your safety, do not attempt repair of combination gas control, burners or gas piping. Refer repairs to a qualified service technician.” Its FAQ adds: “If you are experiencing operating issues with your water heater, please contact a plumbing professional.”
Sources
Bradford White’s own manuals and pages only, read on the date shown. Nothing here comes from forums or third-party “codes explained” sites.
- Bradford White Corporation: Gas-Fired Water Heater Installation and Operation Manual (238-51007-00R, REV 07/26), “Troubleshooting — ICON System Electronic Gas Control” (Resideo V1, Resideo V2, SIT) — Bradford White residential gas-fired tank water heaters with the ICON System electronic gas control. docs.bradfordwhite.com Checked 2026-09-29.
- Bradford White Corporation: Ultra Low NOx Gas Water Heater Installation and Operation Manual (238-53393-00K, REV 08/26), “Troubleshooting — Resideo V1” and “Troubleshooting — Resideo V2” — Bradford White Ultra Low NOx residential gas tank water heaters with the ICON System electronic gas control. docs.bradfordwhite.com Checked 2026-09-29.
- Bradford White Corporation: FAQ: What does the flashing light(s) mean on my water heater’s gas valve? — Bradford White water heaters with the ICON gas valve system. www.bradfordwhite.com Checked 2026-09-29.