There are three ways to reset a Navien tankless water heater. A soft reset clears the current error lockout by pressing the Info button 3 times. A hard reset power-cycles the unit by turning the circuit breaker off for 30 seconds. A factory reset wipes all settings and error history via the Settings > Reset menu on the controller. Always fix the root cause of the error before resetting.
I've been out to Navien jobs where someone hit reset 20 times before calling me. Here's what that actually does: it masks the symptom while the real problem gets worse. A reset's just a tool to confirm whether a fault was a fluke or a broken part. If your NPE or NCB unit locks out again within an hour, don't keep mashing buttons. That lockout's protecting your family from something, and you need to find out what.
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How to Reset Your Navien Waterheater
Think of a reset as a diagnostic step, not a fix. I usually start with the three-press Info button method just to see if the unit'll actually attempt ignition. If the screen stays frozen or the code pops right back up, we're looking at a physical part failure, not a software hiccup. Here's how I work through each reset level in the field, and when I stop resetting and start actually diagnosing.
Most Likely Causes
Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:
Error code lockout requiring manual reset after repair40%
Transient fault from power surge or brief gas interruption24%
Post-maintenance startup requiring soft reset to clear stored fault22%
The display shows an error code and the unit completely refuses to fire, so you've got zero hot water anywhere in the house.
You turn on the tap and hear the unit clicking like it's trying to ignite, then it stops and throws the code again right after.
Screen's totally frozen on an error and none of the buttons respond, not even the temperature arrows.
Hot water cut out mid-shower with zero warning, and now there's a fault code just sitting on the display.
Unit tries to start every time you run water but shuts itself down after 3 or 4 seconds, every single time.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Smartphone or camera (to photograph error code before resetting)Pen and paper (to record error codes and sub-codes from history log)
Service / Diagnostic Mode
Hold Up arrow + Mode button simultaneously for 3 seconds until display shows stored error codes preceded by 'E'.
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
Did the reset not work?
If the problem comes back after following these steps, a component has permanently failed and needs replacement. Check the specific error code your waterheater is showing:
How many times should I press the Info button to reset a Navien?
You've gotta hit that Info button three times in a row, almost like a triple-click. Not too fast, not too slow. You should get a faint beep on the third tap and the display'll switch back to the temp screen. If you go too slow, it just toggles between the inlet temperature and flow rate readouts. And if the three-press trick doesn't work at all, the unit's likely sensing a permanent fault, like a blown thermal fuse or a disconnected wire, that won't let the board clear until the actual circuit gets repaired.
Will resetting the Navien delete my temperature settings?
A soft reset or power cycle won't touch your settings. Navien boards have non-volatile memory that holds your setpoint, whether that's 120 or 140 degrees, even through a week-long power outage. The only time you actually lose those custom settings is when you go into the deep menu and choose Factory Reset. Or if the backup battery on the board's finally died after 10 or more years, which I've seen on units pushing 15 years old. So soft reset all you want, your temp settings are safe.
My Navien keeps showing an error code even after multiple resets. What does that mean?
That's what I call chasing the tail. If a code like E003 or E110 keeps coming back right after every reset, the sensor's doing its job. There's a real problem. Could be a blockage in your vent pipe, could be low gas pressure, could be a dirty flame rod that can't hold a signal. Resetting more than twice without actually fixing anything just stresses your igniter and fan motor. Stop resetting. Pull the front cover off and start testing components. Or call someone who will.
Is there a way to view error code history on a Navien?
Yeah, and it's honestly one of my favorite things about Naviens. Hold the Up arrow and Mode button at the same time for about three seconds and you'll see a list of stored error codes. This is basically your unit's black box. I always check it on maintenance calls, because if I'm seeing 10 E012 codes from the last couple months even though the unit's running fine today, I know that flame rod's getting dirty and it's just a matter of time before you're taking a cold shower.
Can a power outage cause my Navien to need a reset?
Absolutely, and I see this constantly after summer storms. A quick dip in voltage, even just a few seconds, can confuse the microprocessor and throw a generic Internal Error or Communication Error on the display. The unit's actually fine, it just got a bad startup. A hard reset by unplugging it for a full minute almost always clears these ghost codes with zero parts needed. I probably get three or four calls like this every time there's a big storm and the power flickers.
How do I know if my Navien needs a factory reset versus just a soft reset?
Honestly, factory reset should be your last resort. Start with the Info button three-press method every single time. If that doesn't work, do the power cycle. Factory reset is really only for two situations: you replaced the main control board and the new one's acting weird, or the unit's settings somehow got so corrupted that nothing else is clearing it. Most of the time, like 95% of the time, the soft reset or power cycle handles it. Factory reset means 20 minutes of reprogramming afterward, so don't go there first.