Lennox Furnace Error Code E262

E262 means the furnace has entered a soft lockout after exceeding the maximum number of ignition recycle attempts, with the last failure caused by the pressure switch opening. The pressure switch monitors whether the inducer motor is creating proper airflow for safe venting. The furnace shuts down to prevent unsafe operation, but it may attempt to restart automatically after a timeout period. The underlying pressure switch fault must be identified and corrected to prevent recurrence.

The furnace is already preventing itself from operating by entering a soft lockout, so it is not actively running in an unsafe state. However, you should not repeatedly reset the unit to force it to run while the fault remains unresolved. The pressure switch system exists to confirm that combustion gases are being properly exhausted, and bypassing or ignoring that protection can create a carbon monoxide risk.

E262 specifically directs technicians to investigate E223 and E225, as those codes describe the actual pressure switch fault conditions that accumulate into the E262 lockout. E223 typically relates to the pressure switch failing to close during the pre-ignition sequence, while E225 relates to the pressure switch opening after ignition. Resolving E262 requires diagnosing and clearing whichever of those underlying faults is occurring.

Because E262 is a soft lockout, the furnace will eventually attempt to restart on its own without a manual reset. Cycling power to the furnace may clear the lockout temporarily, but if the root cause involving the pressure switch or venting system is not addressed, the furnace will accumulate failed cycles and return to lockout. A reset is not a fix, it only buys time before the fault reoccurs.

Repair costs depend entirely on the root cause. Clearing a blocked flue or condensate trap is typically a low-cost service call ranging from roughly $80 to $200. Replacing a pressure switch generally falls in the $150 to $350 range including parts and labor. An inducer motor replacement is more involved, with costs commonly ranging from $400 to $900 or more depending on the specific furnace model and local labor rates.