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Navien E004 Error Code: False Flame Signal

False flame — the control board senses flame when the burner should be off.

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Open 24/7 · CSLB #1008381 · Joseph J. Castro, Owner

Navien tankless water heater control panel showing error code E004

Quick answer

Navien E004 means: False flame — the control board senses flame when the burner should be off. It's usually caused by wet or damaged flame rod, wiring short, or a faulty gas valve holding open. The fix: Test the flame rod and harness, inspect the gas valve, and replace the faulty part with Navien-specified components. Efficient Water Heaters, Inc. diagnoses Navien E004 faults across San Jose 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — (408) 470-0191, CSLB #1008381.

What you'll notice with E004

  • The unit locks out shortly after shutting down
  • Code appears even when no one has called for hot water
  • Occasionally accompanied by a gas smell near the unit

What causes it

Wet or damaged flame rod, wiring short, or a faulty gas valve holding open.

Safe steps you can take right now

  1. 1If you smell gas at all, leave the building and call PG&E from outside.
  2. 2Do not repeatedly reset — the board is reporting flame when there shouldn't be any.
  3. 3Turn the unit off at the switch and call for service.

How we fix E004

E004 means the flame rod is sensing current when the burner should be off, or the gas valve isn't closing fully. We ohm-test the flame rod and harness, look for moisture and condensate intrusion, and verify the gas valve seats. This is one of the few codes we ask homeowners not to reset.

Test the flame rod and harness, inspect the gas valve, and replace the faulty part with Navien-specified components.

Get your Navien E004 fixed

Call (408) 470-0191 any hour, or send the form and we'll reach out.

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Navien E004 questions

Other Navien codes

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Navien E004 — related services, cities, and codes

E004 rarely shows up alone. These are the services that resolve it, the cities we cover, and the codes that often appear alongside it.