What does the error message on my hot tub mean?
Is there a scary-looking error message on your keyboard that you don’t understand? Here is a rundown of the main error messages you might get on various keyboards, and the steps to solving the problem.
These error messages vary from brand to brand, so you can skip to whatever model you have installed on your spa by clicking on these links:
- Balboa control systems
- Balboa Clim8zone heat pump
- Astrel control systems
- ACC control systems
- SpaPower control systems
- Waterway control systems
- A message... but no error!
This list is still evolving and all messages may not be listed, as there are hundreds of different control systems that have been used over the years by the various manufacturers, each with its own set of error codes. Do not hesitate to refer to your manufacturer's user manual, and to contact us if you have any questions!
For Gecko systems, please refer to this page.
Spas with Balboa control systems
All Balboa systems use the same error codes on their keypads. If you can't find the message below, feel free to refer to the user manual or to contact us.
| Error message | Meaning | Solution |
| - - | Unknown temperature | Temperature should appear after the pump has been on for two minutes. |
| HH, OHH, HTR TEMP LMT SERVICE REQD, 29 |
Spa overheating - the spa has stopped* and the temperature detected in the spa is higher than 113°F (43.5°C). DO NOT ENTER THE SPA |
Remove the cover and let the water cool down. Once the water reaches 106°F (41.7°C), the spa should restart automatically. If it does not restart, cut off the power supply and contact a specialist. |
| OH, OHS, SPA TEMP LMT, 30 | Heater overheating - the spa has stopped* and the temperature detected in the heater is higher than 48°C. DO NOT ENTER THE SPA |
Remove the cover and let the water cool down. Once the heater has cooled, restart the spa by pressing any button. if the spa does not restart, cut off the power supply and contact a specialist. |
|
SA or SnA, SnH, SENSOR A, |
The spa has stopped*. One of the sensors is defective. | If the problem continues, contact a specialist (this message may appear temporarily if the spa overheats). |
| Sn, SnS, SENSOR SYNC, 15 | A temperature difference was detected between the two M7 sensors. This may be temporary of one of the sensors may be defective | If the problem continues, contact a specialist. |
| Sn1 | Problem with the Hi-limit sensor | The Hi-limit overheating sensor may be defective |
| Sn3 | Problem with the temperature sensor | The temperature sensor may be defective |
| FL, FLO, HL, HFL, HTR FLOW LOW, LOW FLOW, 16 |
There is a water flow problem. | If the water levels are normal, make sure that all the pumps are on. If the problem continues, contact a specialist. |
| LF, 17 |
Message appears after the 5th "HL" message in 24 hours. Continuously insufficient water flow. The heater is off but other funtions are still on. |
If the water levels are normal, make sure that all the pumps are on. Press any button to restart the spa. The message should restart in the following 15 minutes. If the problem continues, contact a specialist. |
| dr, dry, HEATER MAY BE DRY, dY, dr4, 28 | The heater may be dry. There may be an air bubble in the heating circuit or a lack of flow in the heater. | If the water levels are normal, make sure that all the pumps are on. Press any button to restart the spa. The heater should restart shortly after. If the problem continues, contact a specialist. |
| dY, 27 |
Message appears after the 3rd "dr" message. The heater is dry. Insufficient water levels in the heater. The spa turns off. |
Follow necessary instructions for the "dr" message. The spa will not turn back on automatically. Press any button to turn on manually. |
| COOL | Temperature has dropped 50°F (10°C) below the required temperature | |
| IC, ICE, FREEZE COND | Temperature is below 45°F (7°C) - risk of ice*. | All equipment is automatically switched on until the temperature reaches 45°F (7°C). Once it does, the heater and blowers stay on for another four minutes until the spa functions normally again |
| StU, STUCK ON, 34, M035 | A pump may be stuck on. Water may be overheated. DO NOT ENTER THE SPA |
Turn off the spa and contact a specialist. |
| PSt, PERSIST FAIL | Settings have been reinitialised. The "Persistent" (PSt) memory cannot be read. It stores all the programming information, such as filter cycles, set temperatures, user settings and configuration settings. This indicates a possible problem with the motherboard. | Try turning the power off and back on again. If the problem continues, contact a specialist. |
| rtC, RTC FAILURE, 20 | The "Real Time Clock" (rtC) cannot be read. The real time clock keeps the current time of day. This indicates a possible problem with the motherboard. | Try turning the power off and back on again. If the problem continues, contact a specialist. |
| CFE, CONFIG ERROR | There is a "Configuration Error" (CFE) in the DIP switches or configuration settings. The DIP switch numbers and the configuration setting values displayed on the topside panel following the "CFE" message are in conflict with each other. | Contact a specialist to check the switch numbers and the values in the configuration settings, and correct as needed to match the equipment in the spa system. |
* Even when the spa has stopped, some functions may start up again if protection against freezing is necessary
If it displays HOt, HOT-CALL SVC: contact us.
Spas with Balboa Clim8zone heat pump
| Error message | Meaning | Solution |
| Er 03 | water flow failure | Check water flow /switch |
| Er 04 |
winter anti-freezing |
Water pump will run automatically for first grade antifreeze |
| Er 05 | high pressure failure | 1. Discharge redundant refrigerant from heat pump gas system 2. Clean the water exchanger or water filter |
| Er 06 | low pressure failure | 1. Check if there is any gas leakage, re-fill the refrigerant 2. Replace the filter or capillary |
| Er 09 | communication failure between Display and PCB |
1. Check if the communication connection wire between display and PCB is disconnected or has poor contact. Change the wire or mend it if yes. |
| Er 10 | communication failure or frequency conversion module (alarm when communication between display and PCB are disconnected) | Change PCB |
| Er 12 | excessive exhaust temp protection | 1. Replace the compressor discharge temperature sensor. 2. Reconnect or clean compressor discharge temperature sensor and wrap it with insulation tape. Replace the controller or PC board. |
| Er 15 | water inlet temperature failure | Check or change the sensor. |
| Er 16 | external coil temperature failure | Check or change the sensor. |
| Er 18 | exhaust temperature failure | Check or change the sensor. |
| Er 19 | DC Fan temperature failure | 1. Check if DC Fan motor os damaged. Change it if damaged. 2. Chek if DC Fan motor output port on PCB has output. Change PCB if no output. |
| Er 20 | Abnormal protection of frequency conversion module | Solve it according to the subsidiary error codes in the following table |
| Er 21 | ambient temperature failure | Check or change the sensor. |
| Er 23 | too low cooling outlet watet temp protection | Check whether the water flow or water system is jammed or not |
| Er 27 | water outlet temperature failure | Check or change the sensor. |
| Er 29 | return gas temperature failure | Check or change the sensor. |
| Er 32 | too high heating outlet water temperature protection | Check whether the water flow or water system is jammed or not |
| Er 35 | compressor current protection | 1. Check if the incoming voltage supply is too low, if so, repair. 2. Check if the compressor is overloaded and repair. 3. Check whether the thermal relay is damaged, if so, replace. |
| Er 42 | internal coil temperature failure | Check or change the sensor. |
Spas with Astrel, Gecko SSPA and MSPA control systems
|
Error message |
Meaning |
Solution |
|
FLC |
Flow detection when there shouldn't be any. It could be a setting error or the flow sensor or pressure switch could be defective. |
Try restarting the spa. If the spa does not restart, turn it off and contact a specialist. |
|
FLO |
No flow detection when there should be one. It could be a setting error or the flow sensor or pressure switch could be defective. |
Try restarting the spa. If the spa does not restart, turn it off and contact a specialist. |
|
HOH |
Temperature detected above 48°C. |
Hi-limit sensor may be defective, or the spa is overheating. Try restarting the spa or letting the spa cool down. |
|
rPF |
The temperature detected by the temperature sensor is outside the possible temperature range: below 0°C (32°F) or above 48°C (118°F). |
Temperature sensor problem. Try restarting the spa. If the spa does not restart, turn it off and contact a specialist. |
|
HPH |
The temperature detected by the Hi-limit sensor is outside the possible temperature range: below 0°C (32°F) or above 48°C (118°F). |
Hi-limit sensor problem. Try restarting the spa. If the spa does not restart, turn it off and contact a specialist. |
|
Er 1 |
The pump configured for circulation and heating is not the one detected during teach-in. |
Reconfigure the system |
|
Er 2 |
Connection error concerning pump speed. |
Reconfigure the system |
|
Er 3 |
Connection error or inconsitent connection with the detection made during learning. Heater not detected during configuration. |
Reconfigure the system |
Spas with ACC control systems
| Error message | Meaning | Solution |
| COLD | Water temperature is below 39°F (4°C). Only the circulation pump will run above 39°F (4°C). | Try restarting the spa. If the spa does not restart, turn it off and contact a specialist. |
| OH |
Water temperature is higher than 107°F (42°C). DO NOT ENTER THE SPA |
If the water is indeed higher than 107°F (42°C), let the water cool down by revoving the cover and/or adding cold water. If the temperature isn't the one indicated on the control panel, restart the spa. If the error continues, contact a specialist. |
| SESH ou SEOP | The temperature sensor is defective. The spa will continue to run but will no longer heat up. |
Try restarting the spa. If the spa does not restart, turn it off and contact a specialist. |
| HLer |
The Hi-limit sensor is disconnected, defective or has detected a temperature of 113°F (45°C). DO NOT ENTER THE SPA |
Try restarting the spa. If the spa does not restart, turn it off and contact a specialist. |
| PSOL,PSOH ou PSOC |
No pressure detected by a flow sensor or a pressure switch. This message would be related to a debit problem |
Make sure the circulation or filtration pump is working. Try restarting the spa. If the spa does not restart, turn it off and contact a specialist. |
Spas with Spa Power control systems
These error messages may appear on spas equipped with SP1200, SP800 or SP601 control systems
| Error message | Meaning | Solution |
| Error 1 or Err1 |
The heater did not start properly and no flow was detected in the heater. | There are several possible causes for this problem, and therefore several possible solutions. Start by pressing the "lower temperature" button. The circulation pump will start for 10 seconds and try to purge air out of the circuit. If this does not fix the problem, see the article "My hot tub has a flow error". |
| Error 3 or Err3 |
One of the keyboard buttons remained pressed for more than one minute. | This may be due to the cover, it is necessary to try a reset of the spa.* |
| Error 4 or Err4 |
The optical sensor is disconnected or damaged. | Try a spa reset.* |
| Error 5 or Err5 |
One of the temperature sensors has exceeded 45°C (113°F). DO NOT ENTER THE SPA |
Turn off the spa so that the water temperature drops, or try a reset.* |
| Error 6 or Err6 |
The thermal safety has been triggered. DO NOT ENTER THE SPA |
Overheating has been detected, the spa will restart once the temperature drops below 100°F (38°C). You can also do a reset manually.* |
| Error 7 or Err7 |
This is a relay attached to the heater supply circuit. | Sometimes it is possible to change the relay, otherwise you will have to to change the card. |
| Error 8 or Err8 |
The temperature sensor is disconnected or damaged. | Try a spa reset*, and follow our instructions on the control system's product page. |
| Error 9 or Err9 |
The module used for time management is faulty. | Try a spa reset*. |
* To reset the spa, press the keys: "Light intensity", "Light effects", "Pump 1A" and "Blower" simultaneously.
Spas with Waterway control systems
| Error message | Meaning | Solution |
| Insufficient flow ! | Error caused by a lack of water flow inside the heater. | Make sure that there is sufficient water flow. This may be due to a lack of water in the spa, dirty filters, an air bubble in the piping, or a problem with the circulation pump. |
| Low flow ! | Check that there is enough water flow in the heater. This may be due to a lack of water in the spa, dirty filters, or from an air bubble in the piping. | |
| Water overheat ! |
Water tempereature is higher than 43°C (109°F). DO NOT ENTER THE SPA |
Let the water cool down by revoving the cover and/or adding cold water. If the temperature isn't the one indicated on the control panel, restart the spa. If the error continues, contact a specialist. |
| Heater overheat ! | Wait for the temperature to drop. Check that the water flow inside the heater is sufficient. | |
| Potential freeze | This error appears when one or more sensors detect a temperature that is too low. | All jets and blower are turned on to protect the piping from freezing. All elements will stop when the sensors have detected a correct temperature again. |
| Sensor 1 open | Check that said sensor is connected correctly. In cas of a short-circuited sensor: check the connection of the indicated sensor, or replace it if necessary. | |
| Plumbing error ! | Error detected when sensor 1 and sensor 3 are not properly connected. | You can normally correct this problem by inverting the connections of these two sensors on the motherboard. |
A message... but no error!
You didn't find the error message in the lists above? It simply may not be an error, but a message that provides you with information about your spa's operating settings (also known as "system status codes"). Here are the most common ones:
| Econ, Ecn, SE | Displayed when some hot tubs are running in economy mode (only heating the water when the hot tub is already running a filtration cycle). |
| F2, F4, F6 |
Displayed by some hot tubs to show how long they are set to filter. F2 = 4 hours, F4 = 8 hours and F6 = 12 hours. |
| Hold | Displayed when panels buttons have been hit too many times, or too quickly. |
| LOC, L1, L2 | The panel has been locked. Enter the code used to lock the panel to unlock it and resume normal operation. |
| Pr | Displayed when the pumps are priming, usually when the hot tub has just been turned on or reset. |
| ScLN | Used by Self-Cleaning Hydropool hot tubs (e.g. 395, 570, 670, 720, etc.) to tell you when the hot tub is in Self-Cleaning mode. |
| Std, Flon | Displayed when some hot tubs are running in standard mode (heating the water anytime the hot tub dips 2 degrees below the set temperature). |