A blinking status light on a gas water heater is a diagnostic code — the number of flashes (and sometimes the color or pattern) tells you what’s wrong. The pattern is brand-specific: an A.O. Smith 4-flash code means something different from a Bradford White 4-flash code.
Codes at a Glance
| Code | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|
| A.O. Smith — 4 flashes | High-temperature shutdown | Full guide → |
| Bradford White — ICON system | See our ICON status light guide | Guide coming soon |
| Rheem/Ruud/Richmond (White-Rodgers control) | See our Rheem blinking-light guide | Full guide → |
FAQ
Why does the flash count mean different things on different brands?
Each manufacturer designs its own gas control valve/status-light system, so there’s no universal flash code — always check your specific brand.
Written by HotWater Decoded — water heater repair specialists. Technically reviewed by a licensed technician on our team.
Sources
- Cross-brand pattern confirmed via manufacturer support pages (aosmithatlowes.com)
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