Rinnai code 10: Air intake, flue or condensate blockage
Continuous flow hot water system (Australia), tankless water heater (United States)
The heater could not get enough combustion air, could not clear its exhaust, or (on condensing models) its condensate drain backed up, so it shut down.
This needs a licensed gas technician. There are a few safe checks you can do first, marked below. Anything inside the unit is a job for a professional.
This involves the flue or exhaust. A blocked or leaking flue can let carbon monoxide into the home.
What causes it
Australian models
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Something is blocking the air intake or flue outlet, such as leaves, a nest or items stored against the heater.
Check the outside flue or vent terminal is clearYou can do this
- Find where the flue or vent pipe ends outside the building. High-efficiency furnaces and some water heaters also have a combustion air intake pipe beside it: check that one too. On some outdoor water heaters the flue outlet is part of the front cover.
- Look for anything blocking it, such as leaves, a bird or insect nest, snow, plants, or items stored against the wall.
- Cut back plants and move stored items away from it. Do not touch, poke into or hose the flue outlet. If something is inside it, book a service. The terminal can be hot. Do not climb onto the roof or use a ladder to reach it; if it is out of reach, book a technician.
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On condensing models, the condensate drain pipe is blocked, kinked, laid without enough fall, or frozen.
Check the condensate drain is not blocked or frozenYou can do this
- Follow the small plastic condensate pipe from the unit to where it drains.
- Check it is not kinked, crushed, blocked at the outlet, or frozen in cold weather.
- If it uses a condensate pump, check the pump is plugged in and powered.
- If the pipe is frozen or blocked inside the unit, leave it and book a technician.
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On internal (indoor) models, the internal air filter is clogged, or the flue is too long or uses unapproved parts.
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Debris in the combustion fan, a stuck check valve between the fan and burner, or the high-altitude setting is wrong for an alpine install.
US models
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Something is blocking the vent termination outside, or the intake or exhaust pipe is obstructed.
Same check as above: Check the outside flue or vent terminal is clear
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On SENSEI models, the condensate drain line is clogged or frozen, so condensate backs up into the trap inside the heater.
Same check as above: Check the condensate drain is not blocked or frozen
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Vent joints not fully seated, pipe crushed where it passes through the wall, unapproved vent materials, or too much vent length for the model.
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A dirty inlet air filter inside the cabinet, debris in the fan, or build-up between the heat exchanger fins.
How to read this code on your unit
Booking a licensed gas technician
Book a licensed gas technicianlicensed gas technician
- Turn the unit off and leave the covers on. Gas components must only be serviced by a licensed technician.
- Note the code, how often it appears, and the model and serial numbers from the rating label.
- Book a licensed gas technician and give them those details.
Models that show this code
73 models in 15 ranges
| Range | Models |
|---|---|
| Heavy Duty (commercial) | REU-AM3237WC (HD32e), REU-VCM2837FFC (HD28i), REU-VCM2837WC (HD28e), REU-NB3237WC-AK (Heavy Duty 32C), REU-NB3237FFC-AK, REU-NB3237WC-50-AK, REU-NB3237FFC-50-AK |
| Infinity | REU-AM3237W (Infinity 32), REU-AM2626WDL (Infinity 26 Touch), REU-AM2626WD (Infinity 26), REU-AM2024WD (Infinity 20), REU-AM1620WD (Infinity 16), REU-AM1220WD (Infinity 12), REU-A2626WB (B26), REU-A2024WB (B20), REU-A1620WB (B16) |
| Infinity B | REU-BM2626W (Infinity B26), REU-BM2024W (Infinity B20), REU-BM1620W (Infinity B16), REU-BM1220W (Infinity B12) |
| Infinity Enviro | REU-E2626W (Infinity Enviro 26), REU-E1620W (Infinity Enviro 16), REU-NB3237W-AK (Infinity Enviro 32), REU-NB3237W-50-AK |
| Infinity internal | REU-VCM2837FF (Infinity 28i) |
| Commercial (KB) | C199i (REU-KBD3237FFUDC-US), C199e (REU-KB3237WDC-US) |
| KB | RU80i (REU-KB2530FFUD-US), RU80e (REU-KB2530WD-US), RU90e (REU-KBD2934WD-US), RU98i (REU-KB3237FFUD-US), RU98e (REU-KB3237WD-US) |
| KBD | RUC80i (REU-KBD2530FFUD-US), RUC90i (REU-KBD2934FFUD-US), RUC98i (REU-KBD3237FFUD-US) |
| KBP | RUR98i (REU-KBP3237FFUD-US), RUR98e (REU-KBP3237WD-US) |
| KCM | RUCS65i (REU-KCM2025FFU-US), RUCS75i (REU-KCM2528FFU-US), RUS65e (REU-KCM2025W-US), RUS75e (REU-KCM2528W-US) |
| Luxury (VC) | RL75i (REU-VC2528FFUD-US), RL75i(A) (REU-VC2528FFUD-US(A)), RL75e (REU-VC2528WD-US), RL75e(A) (REU-VC2528WD-US(A)), RL94i (REU-VC2837FFUD-US), RLX94i (REU-VC2737FFUD-US), RL94e (REU-VC2837WD-US) |
| SENSEI commercial | CU199i (REU-N3237FFC-US), CU160i (REU-N2530FFC-US), CU199e (REU-N3237WC-US), CU160e (REU-N2530WC-US) |
| SENSEI residential | RU199i (REU-N3237FF-US), RU180i (REU-N2934FF-US), RU160i (REU-N2530FF-US), RU130i (REU-N2024FF-US), RU199e (REU-N3237W-US), RU180e (REU-N2934W-US), RU160e (REU-N2530W-US), RU130e (REU-N2024W-US) |
| SENSEI residential with pump | RUR199i (REU-NP3237FF-US), RUR160i (REU-NP2530FF-US), RUR199e (REU-NP3237W-US), RUR160e (REU-NP2530W-US) |
| Value (VC) | V53e (REU-VAM1620W-US), V53De (REU-AM1620WD-US), V65i (REU-VC2025FFU-US), V65e (REU-VC2025W-US), V75i (REU-VC2528FFU-US), V75e (REU-VC2528W-US), V94i (REU-VC2837FFU-US), V94Xi (REU-VC2737FFU-US), V94e (REU-VC2837W-US) |
Where this comes from
- Error codes for gas continuous flow water heaters (HW Gas CF ERR) , page 1
- Infinity gas continuous flow operation and installation manual , page 6, 12
- Infinity Enviro 32 / HDC32 operation and installation manual , page 12
- Troubleshooting tankless water heater diagnostic codes (100000652), non-SENSEI and SENSEI series , page 10, 11, 12, 13
- N Series residential condensing installation and operation manual (100000467), RU199e/RU180e/RU160e/RU130e , page 59
Checked against the manufacturer's manual on 9 October 2026.
Other Rinnai tankless water heater codes
| Code | Meaning | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| 02 | Burner did not light during freeze protection | Safe checks first, then a pro |
| 03 | Power cut during bath fill | You can often fix it |
| 05 | Bypass flow control failure | Safe checks first, then a pro |
| 11 | No ignition | Safe checks first, then a pro |
| 12 | Flame failure or low gas flow | Safe checks first, then a pro |
| 13 | Combustion fault | Safe checks first, then a pro |
| 14 | Overheat safety device tripped | Call a pro |
| 15 | Venturi control failure | Safe checks first, then a pro |
| 16 | Over-temperature shutdown | Safe checks first, then a pro |
| 17 | Venturi blockage | Safe checks first, then a pro |
| 18 | Gas valve adjustment limit | Call a pro |
| 19 | Electrical earth fault | Call a pro |
See all flue or venting fault codes on tankless water heaters across brands.