Bradford White Water Heater Error Code 4 flashes red (V2)

The 4 flashes red (V2) code means the gas control valve detected that the water temperature reached the cut-out limit and shut the burner down as a safety measure. This protective function prevents the water from exceeding safe temperature thresholds. The fault points to the water temperature sensor, the main valve, or the gas control valve itself as the likely source of the problem.

The water heater has shut itself down and will not produce hot water while this fault is active, so there is no immediate burn hazard from the heater operating. However, the underlying cause of the overtemperature condition must be identified and corrected before the unit is restarted. Running the heater without resolving the root cause risks repeated overtemperature events and potential damage to the tank or connected plumbing.

Repair costs vary depending on what component is at fault. If only a setpoint adjustment is needed, there is no parts cost beyond a service call, which typically ranges from $75 to $150. Replacing a water temperature sensor generally costs $50 to $150 in parts plus labor. A gas control valve replacement, which is the most involved repair, typically ranges from $200 to $500 or more depending on the model and local labor rates.

A homeowner can safely check and reduce the temperature setpoint on the gas control, which resolves the fault if the setpoint was simply configured too high. However, diagnosing a faulty temperature sensor, testing main valve operation, or replacing the gas control valve requires technical knowledge and is best handled by a licensed technician. Do not return the unit to service without confirming that the main valve and temperature control are both operating correctly.

Resetting the gas control may temporarily clear the fault and allow the burner to restart, but the error will return if the underlying cause has not been corrected. If the main valve is not operating properly or the temperature sensor is faulty, the cut-out limit will trigger again. Always diagnose and correct the root cause before relying on a reset as a fix.