Bradford White Water Heater Error Code 62

Error code 62 means the water heater attempted to light the main burner three times and could not successfully ignite or prove a stable flame during any of those trials. The control board then entered a soft lockout to prevent repeated failed ignition attempts. Because it is a soft lockout, the unit will automatically retry ignition every 60 minutes, and you can also manually reset it by pressing and holding the Lockout Reset button for 3 seconds.

The soft lockout associated with code 62 is a built-in safety response designed to prevent uncontrolled gas release from repeated failed ignition attempts. The heater is not producing hot water in this state, but the lockout itself is functioning as intended. You should diagnose and resolve the combustion system fault promptly, particularly if gas odor is present, in which case shut off the gas supply and contact a qualified technician immediately.

Start by confirming the gas supply valve to the water heater is fully open and that other gas appliances in the home are operating normally. Next, press and hold the Lockout Reset button for 3 seconds and observe whether the burner lights and stays lit. If the unit retries ignition but fails again, proceed with a full inspection of the combustion system including the flame sensor, igniter, and burner assembly as outlined in the combustion system testing procedure.

Pressing the Lockout Reset button for 3 seconds will clear the lockout and immediately trigger a new ignition attempt, but it will not fix the underlying cause. If the combustion system has a hardware fault such as a failed flame sensor, weak igniter, or gas supply problem, the unit will fail ignition again and return to code 62. Use the reset as a starting point for diagnosis, not as a permanent solution.

Repair costs vary depending on which component has failed. Cleaning the flame sensor or clearing a blocked burner may cost little beyond a service call fee, typically in the range of $75 to $150. Replacing a flame rod or igniter usually runs $150 to $350 including parts and labor. A gas valve replacement is more involved and can range from $300 to $600 or more depending on the unit and local labor rates.