Spa & Hot Tub Error Codes

Modern hot tubs and spas use digital control systems to display error codes when a fault or operating issue is detected. These messages can indicate problems with water flow, temperature sensors, heating, pumps or the spa control system.

Hot tub error codes vary between manufacturers and control systems, so the same code may have a different meaning depending on your spa. We've put together this guide to common hot tub and spa error codes, covering Balboa, Gecko, Jacuzzi and other major manufacturers.

Common Hot Tub Error Codes and Their Meanings

Some error codes appear across different hot tub control systems. The meanings below are taken from the manufacturer information in this guide. Always check the code against your specific spa system before carrying out any checks or replacing parts.

OH / OHH: Overheat condition detected.
DR / DRY: Inadequate water flow through the heater.
FLO: Water flow or pressure switch fault.
HFL: A substantial difference between temperature sensor readings, which may indicate a flow problem.
LF: Persistent low-flow problem. The heater may be disabled while other spa functions continue to operate.
ICE: Potential freeze condition detected.
Sn1 / Sn3: Temperature or high-limit sensor fault, depending on the system.
SE: Standard-in-Economy operating mode on Balboa systems.
Pr: Priming mode, usually displayed when the spa is first switched on.

Not every manufacturer uses the same codes. For example, FC is listed as continuous filtration on the Dream Maker system in this guide. Always identify your control system before interpreting a display message.

Hot Tub Error Codes by Manufacturer

Balboa Error Codes

pd: Power supply on battery.
OH: Sensors reading 112-118°F.
OHH: Overheat. One sensor has detected 118°F and the spa has shut down.
OHS: Overheat. One sensor has detected 110°F and the spa has shut down.
Flo: Flow or pressure switch error.
Cool: Water temperature is 20 degrees below the set point.
ICE: Potential freeze condition.
Sn1: High-limit sensor failure.
Sn3: Temperature sensor malfunction.
Sna: Sensor A failure.
Snb: Sensor B failure.
SnS: Sensors are out of balance. If alternating with the temperature display, this may be a temporary condition.
HFL: Substantial difference between temperature sensors detected. This could indicate a flow problem.
LF: Persistent low-flow problems. Displayed on the fifth occurrence of the HFL message within 24 hours. The heater is shut down, but other spa functions operate normally.
dr: Inadequate flow in the heater.
dry: Inadequate flow in the heater. Displayed on the third occurrence of the dr message.
Pr: The spa enters Priming Mode when first switched on.
---: Unknown water temperature.
Std: Spa operating in Standard Mode.
Ecn: Spa operating in Economy Mode.
SE: Spa operating in Standard-in-Economy Mode.
ILOC: Interlock failure, possibly caused by a pump or ozone spike.

Applied Computer Controls (ACC) Error Codes

CoLd: Temperature in the heater housing is below 40°F. The low-speed or circulation pump operates continuously until the temperature rises above 45°F.
OH: Overheat. Spa temperature is above 108°F.
HLoH: High-limit overheat. The high-limit sensor is disconnected, shorted or the spa temperature is above 112°F.
SEoP: Sensor open or disconnected. Heater disabled, but the spa remains operational.
SESH: Sensor short or non-functional. Heater disabled, but the spa remains operational.
PSoC: Pressure switch open with circulation pump.
PSoL: Pressure switch open with low-speed pump.
PSoH: Pressure switch open with high-speed pump.
ToE: Timeout error. Rare system error.

Brett Aqualine Error Codes

OH: Temperature exceeds 118°F.
Fr: Freeze condition. Temperature below 40°F.
FL: Pressure switch failure.
EO: Shorted temperature sensor.
E1: Open temperature sensor.
E2: Shorted high-limit sensor.
E3: Open high-limit sensor.
E4: Shorted flow switch.
E7: Improper electrical connection.

CTI Error Codes

th1 / 39: Temperature probe problem.
th2 / current temp: Temperature probe problem.
th3 / 39: Water temperature below 39°F.
OH: Water temperature above 112°F. System will restart when the temperature drops.
hot: Water temperature above 112°F. System will restart when the temperature drops.
HL: High-limit switch tripped.

Dream Maker Error Codes

OH: Overheat at 108°F. Spa is deactivated.
FL: Flow or pressure switch not working.
SN: Non-functional high-temperature sensor. Heater is deactivated.
F2: Four hours of daily filtration.
F4: Eight hours of daily filtration.
F6: Twelve hours of daily filtration.
FC: Continuous filtration.

EasyPak Error Codes

C: Celsius.
CL: Current time of day.
ECdu: Economy mode duration.
Econ: Economy mode switched on.
F: Fahrenheit.
Fldu: Filter cycle duration.
Flon: Filter cycle switched on.
FLC: Pressure switch alarm.
FLO: Pressure switch alarm.
FrEE: Freeze protection alarm.
HL: High-temperature alarm.
Loc: Panel or keypad locked.
PrH: Temperature sensor alarm.
Prr: Temperature sensor alarm.
Tu: Temperature set to Celsius or Fahrenheit.

Gecko Error Codes

AOH: Temperature in equipment compartment too high.
FLO: Pressure switch failure, switch open.
FLC: Pressure switch failure, switch closed.
FrE: Possible freeze condition.
Flashing display: Display warning or fault indication.
3 flashing dots: Refer to the system's display fault indication.
3 flashing dots and LED: Refer to the system's display fault indication.
HL: Sensor measuring 119°F.
Prr: Temperature sensor failure.
Prh: High-limit sensor failure.

Gecko SP Codes (Spa Packs)

SP-HR: Hardware error.
SP-BR: Breaker setting too low.
SP-IN: Input voltage low.
SP-F1, F2 or F3: Fuse 1, 2 or 3 blown.
SP-OT: Temperature inside the spa skirt too high.
SP-OH: Water temperature above 112°F.

Gecko RH Codes (Heater)

RH-HR: Heater hardware error.
RH-NH: Heating attempted and failed.
RH-NF: No flow in heater.
RH-NC: Communication error to pack.
RH-HL: Heater high-limit fault.

Gecko Accessory Codes

P1, P2 or P3-ER: Pump 1, 2 or 3 failure.
CP-ER: Circulation pump failure.
BL-ER: Blower failure.
O3-Er: Ozone error.
A1/A2-ER: Auxiliary system error.
FN-ER: Fan failure.
FB-ER: Fibre optic failure.
SC-ER: System learning failure.

Hercules Error Codes

OH: Spa temperature exceeds acceptable limits.
FLO: Flow problem.
ICE: Freeze condition detected.
SN1: High-limit sensor failure.
SN2: Temperature sensor failure.

Hurricane Error Codes

PS: Flow or pressure switch failure.
SH: Shorted sensor.
OP: Open sensor.
LO: Temperature below 60°F.
HL: Temperature above 118°F.
OH: Spa temperature exceeds limits.
FLO: Flow problem.
ICE: Freeze condition detected.
SN1: High-limit sensor failure.
SN2: Temperature sensor failure.

Hurricane Control Panel Codes

C: Celsius.
CL: Current time of day.
ECdu: Economy mode duration.
Econ: Economy mode switched on.
F: Fahrenheit.
Fldu: Filter cycle duration.
Flon: Filter cycle switched on.
FLC: Pressure switch alarm.
FLO: Pressure switch alarm.
FrEE: Freeze protection alarm.
HL: High-temperature alarm.
Loc: Panel or keypad locked.
PrH: Temperature sensor alarm.
Prr: Temperature sensor alarm.
Tu: Temperature set to Celsius or Fahrenheit.

Jacuzzi Error Codes

OH: Overheat protection. Heater is deactivated and the pumps operate at low speed.
COOL: Temperature is 20°F cooler than the set point.
FLO*: Flow switch fault. Heater is deactivated and the pump may also be deactivated.
FLO2: Closed or shorted flow switch during system start-up.
Hold: Panel pressed too many times in a short period.
HOT: Circuit board temperature has exceeded acceptable limits.
ICE: Freeze protection. No action is necessary.
I CE2: Freeze protection. No action is necessary.
PnL: Communication error between the panel and circuit board.
----: Watchdog problem detected.
Sn1: Open or shorted sensor.
Sn3: Open or shorted sensor.

Pinnacle Spas Error Codes

OH: Temperature has exceeded 110°F.
SN: Sensor failure.
FL: Flow or pressure switch stuck in the closed position.

Spa Builders Support Error Codes

Sn1: Non-functional high-temperature sensor.
Sn2: Non-functional temperature sensor.
FL1: Water flow problem or pressure switch malfunction. Check the water level, pump priming and filter for blockages.
FL2: Pressure switch problem. Switch is closed while the pump is deactivated.
COL: Cool condition. If water temperature drops 20°F below the set temperature, the low-speed pump and heater activate until the water is within 15°F of the set temperature.
ICE: Freeze condition. At 55°F, the low-speed pump and heater activate until the spa reaches 65°F.
OH: High-temperature condition. At 110°F, the low-speed pump and air blower, if fitted, activate to lower the temperature.
---: Watchdog. Water temperature has reached 118°F.

Spa Quip Error Codes

Err 1 (H20): Prime failed.
Err 3: Stuck button.
Err 4: No water sensor.
Err 5: Over-temperature.
Err 6: Thermal cut-out tripped.
Err 7: Stuck relay.
Err 8: No temperature data.
01: Stuck button.
02: No controller data.
03: Temperature sensor.
04: Water sensor.
05: Spa over-temperature.
06: Heater thermal cut-out.
07: Stuck heater relay.
09: Water prime failed.

Sundance Spas Error Codes

COL: Temperature is 20°F below the set point.
ILOC: Interlock failure, possibly caused by a pump or ozone spike.
FLO / FL1 / FL2: Flow or pressure switch malfunction.
Hold: Panel buttons pressed too many times or too quickly.
HOT: PCB temperature above acceptable limits. Air blower on.
ICE: Potential freeze condition.
Pnl: Communication between PCB and panel interrupted.
Sn1: High-limit sensor failure.
Sn3: Temperature sensor failure.
---: Watchdog problem detected, possibly a temperature or high-limit error.

Vita Spas Error Codes

HiLi: Water temperature over the acceptable limit.
BJ2P: Pump or blower purge. Normal condition.
FP: Freeze protection mode. Temperature below the acceptable level.
SS=0; SS=S; LS=O; LS=S: Multiple possible causes, including open sensors, a bad connection or voltage issue.

Flashing Light Error Codes

1 flash with a 3-second gap: High-limit fault.
2 flashes with a 3-second gap: Pressure or flow switch short circuit.
3 flashes with a 3-second gap: Pressure or flow switch open circuit.
4 flashes with a 3-second gap: Open circuit sensor(s).
Flash - 1 second on, 1 second off: Same as OH.
Briefly OFF once per second: Same as Sn1 or Sn3.
Briefly ON once per second: Same as FLC.

Blinking Power Indicator Light - Hydromate

Blinking power indicator: High-limit tripped or sensor fault.
1 flash per second - Onga 4352, 53, 95 and similar: Pressure switch open circuit. Could also indicate a motor or motor thermal overload issue.
3 flashes per second - Onga 4352, 53, 95 and similar: Electronic fault, commonly a sensor or PCB issue.
Green flashes - Spaquip Pulsar/2095 series: Water sensor fault or lack of water.
Red and green alternating flashes: Temperature sensor fault, open circuit or high-limit tripped. Push reset rod.

What to Check When Your Hot Tub Displays an Error Code

An error code identifies a detected fault, but it doesn't always confirm which component needs replacing. Start by checking the water level, filter condition and any visible signs of a flow restriction. For heating or sensor-related messages, refer to the specific control system's guidance before carrying out further checks.

Always identify the manufacturer and model of your spa control system before ordering replacement parts. Hydrospares stocks a range of hot tub spa packs and control systems, including Balboa and Gecko options.

If the error remains or you are unsure what the code means, contact a qualified spa technician. Electrical and control system repairs should only be carried out by someone suitably qualified.

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