Noritz Tankless Water Heater Error Code 14: Meaning and Fix

Applies to: Noritz tankless water heaters (residential and Pro Series premix models; each Noritz help article notes which models it covers).

How 14 appears on a Noritz tankless water heater display.

Reading the tankless water heater display

A tankless water heater shows its fault as a number or letter code on the unit display or on the wired remote controller, and some models keep a short history of past codes. Write the code down exactly as shown before you reset the unit, and check the rating plate for the model number, because the same number can mean different things between series.

Noritz makes gas tankless water heaters that show a numeric error code on the display or the remote. Its help center documents each code, and the steps differ between residential and Pro Series premix models. Check the model label on your unit before using any chart.

What causes 14

Scale buildup from hard water
Missed descaling
Repeated resets of code 20 without fixing the cause

How to fix it

If you smell gas, leave the building and call your gas utility from outside; do not touch switches or the unit. Switch the water heater off and let it cool before you touch any internal part, and call a licensed plumber or water heater technician if you are not sure.

The code meaning comes from the manufacturer document listed under Sources. The causes and steps below are general troubleshooting guidance, not the manufacturer's service procedure.

Switch the water heater off and let it cool before you touch anything inside it. If you smell gas, leave the building and call your gas utility from outside.
Do not bypass the thermal fuse.
Have a technician replace the fuse and the heat exchanger together, since a scaled exchanger can cause a repeat.
Treat the incoming water with a softener or scale prevention, and follow the manual's water quality guidelines.
If the code returns after these checks, call a licensed plumber or water heater technician and give them the code and the model number from the rating plate.

Questions

What does Noritz tankless error code 14 mean?

Code 14 on a Noritz tankless water heater means the heat exchanger overheated and its one-time thermal fuse tripped, stopping combustion. The fuse cannot be reset and must be replaced.

Can I reset the water heater myself?

Turning the unit off and back on, or unplugging it for about 30 seconds, clears some codes. If the same code comes back, the fault is still there and the unit will shut down again. Do not bypass a safety device to keep it running.

When should I call a technician?

Call a licensed plumber or water heater technician for anything involving gas, venting, the heat exchanger, a thermal fuse or the circuit board, or when the code keeps returning after the simple checks.

Other brands with code 14

The same code can mean something different on another maker's appliance. Check the brand before you act.

Bryant furnaceIgnition lockout Carrier furnaceIgnition lockout Chamberlain garage door openerSafety sensors misaligned or beam blocked Craftsman garage door openerSafety sensors misaligned or beam blocked LiftMaster garage door openerSafety sensors misaligned or beam blocked Payne furnaceIgnition lockout Rheem tankless water heaterWater heater overheating Rinnai tankless water heaterThermal fuse

Other Noritz tankless water heater codes

06Recirculation flow too low (NRCR)10Combustion warning (can lead to code 90)11Ignition failure 12Flame loss 16Outlet water temperature too high 20High limit switch tripped

Sources

Part numbers are OEM references; confirm fit by your model number before ordering. Meanings compiled from manufacturer and parts-retailer documentation; see sources below. Unplug the appliance before opening it.