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Rinnai code 61: Combustion fan failure

Continuous flow hot water system (Australia), tankless water heater (United States)

The fan that supplies combustion air to the burner is not running as it should.

This needs a licensed gas technician. There is nothing safe to check yourself. Leave the covers on and book a professional.

What causes it

Australian models

  1. Loose or damaged fan motor wiring, a fan that does not spin freely, or a failed fan motor.

    Book a licensed gas technician

US models

  1. Loose or damaged fan wiring, debris stopping the blower wheel, a stuck check valve (SENSEI), or a failed motor or control board.

    Book a licensed gas technician

How to read this code on your unit

Booking a licensed gas technician

Book a licensed gas technicianlicensed gas technician

  1. Turn the unit off and leave the covers on. Gas components must only be serviced by a licensed technician.
  2. Note the code, how often it appears, and the model and serial numbers from the rating label.
  3. Book a licensed gas technician and give them those details.

Models that show this code

73 models in 15 ranges
RangeModels
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
InfinityREU-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 BREU-BM2626W (Infinity B26), REU-BM2024W (Infinity B20), REU-BM1620W (Infinity B16), REU-BM1220W (Infinity B12)
Infinity EnviroREU-E2626W (Infinity Enviro 26), REU-E1620W (Infinity Enviro 16), REU-NB3237W-AK (Infinity Enviro 32), REU-NB3237W-50-AK
Infinity internalREU-VCM2837FF (Infinity 28i)
Commercial (KB)C199i (REU-KBD3237FFUDC-US), C199e (REU-KB3237WDC-US)
KBRU80i (REU-KB2530FFUD-US), RU80e (REU-KB2530WD-US), RU90e (REU-KBD2934WD-US), RU98i (REU-KB3237FFUD-US), RU98e (REU-KB3237WD-US)
KBDRUC80i (REU-KBD2530FFUD-US), RUC90i (REU-KBD2934FFUD-US), RUC98i (REU-KBD3237FFUD-US)
KBPRUR98i (REU-KBP3237FFUD-US), RUR98e (REU-KBP3237WD-US)
KCMRUCS65i (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 commercialCU199i (REU-N3237FFC-US), CU160i (REU-N2530FFC-US), CU199e (REU-N3237WC-US), CU160e (REU-N2530WC-US)
SENSEI residentialRU199i (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 pumpRUR199i (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

Checked against the manufacturer's manual on 9 October 2026.

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Other Rinnai tankless water heater codes

Code Meaning What you can do
51 Inlet water thermistor fault Call a pro
52 Gas modulating valve fault Call a pro
54 High exhaust gas temperature Safe checks first, then a pro
55 Service reminder Safe checks first, then a pro
57 Burner overheat switch open Call a pro
58 Secondary heat exchanger overheat Call a pro
63 Recirculation low flow Call a pro
65 Water flow control failure Safe checks first, then a pro
66 Bypass flow control fault Call a pro
70 Control board (PCB) failure Safe checks first, then a pro
71 Gas solenoid valve failure Call a pro
72 Flame rod circuit error Call a pro

See all fan or blower fault codes on tankless water heaters across brands.