Rheem Complete Loss of Heating Function

Rheem water heater produces no hot water at any faucet

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

Tripped breaker or no power supply, Gas supply shut off, Failed gas control valve or thermostat, Burned-out heating elements (electric)

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: For electric units, turn OFF the breaker before opening panels. For gas units, turn gas control to OFF if you smell gas.

  • Check power: Verify the water heater breaker is ON and not tripped. Reset if necessary. Confirm 240V at the junction box for electric models.
  • Check gas: Ensure the manual gas shutoff valve is open and other gas appliances work.
  • Inspect status light/display: Note any error codes or flashing patterns and refer to the Rheem label.
  • Electric models: Test upper thermostat and upper element first; if the upper element is open, replace it. If both elements are good, replace thermostats as needed.
  • Gas models: If the pilot will not stay lit or the burner never comes on, the gas control valve/thermostat may be faulty and should be replaced by a technician.
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Repair Difficulty

Medium 3/5
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