Bradford White Water Heater Error Code 4 flashes

Four flashes on a Bradford White water heater indicates that the Gas Control valve (V1) has detected an excessive tank temperature and has shut the unit down as a safety measure. The system will not restart on its own and must be reset after the cause is resolved. The most likely causes are a faulty gas control valve or a temperature sensor that is out of calibration. Because the sensor is part of the gas control assembly, replacing the gas control is the standard repair.

The 4-flash code is a safety lockout designed to protect against overheating, so the heater shutting down is actually the system working as intended. However, the underlying cause of the excessive temperature detection should be taken seriously and diagnosed promptly. If the temperature and pressure relief valve has discharged or the tank has been genuinely overheated, do not restart the unit until a technician has inspected it.

A reset will clear the lockout and allow the unit to attempt normal operation, but it will not fix the root cause. If the gas control valve is faulty or the temperature sensor is out of calibration, the 4-flash error will return, sometimes quickly. A permanent fix requires replacing the gas control assembly rather than relying on repeated resets.

You can attempt a manual reset by following the reset procedure on the gas control, but the error will likely return if the underlying cause is not corrected first. If the gas control or its integrated temperature sensor is faulty, resetting alone will not resolve the problem. It is recommended to have a qualified technician inspect and replace the gas control before relying on a reset to restore normal operation.

The primary repair for this error code is replacement of the gas control valve. Parts and labor combined typically range from $200 to $600 depending on the specific model, your location, and the service provider. If the unit is still under warranty, the gas control may be covered, so check your warranty status before purchasing parts independently.