What causes Bradford White Gas Water Heater 57?

The pilot shield touching the pilot flame sensor, or the flame sensor touching the pilot hood (Honeywell-control D-series and PDV models). Broken or damaged insulation on the pilot flame sense wire, letting it touch metal. A spark rod or its wire shorted to ground (eF Series ICON HD models). A bent, cracked or damaged rod after the burner assembly was removed or bumped during service.

How do I fix Bradford White Gas Water Heater 57?

Write down the code and your model and serial number from the rating plate; Bradford White says to confirm which control generation you have if the serial date is near the cutoff, using the For The Pro contractor app or bradfordwhite.com. On Honeywell-control commercial models, code 57 is a hard lockout: Bradford White's manual says it can only be reset from the service mode, and resetting a lockout without fixing the cause can create a hazardous condition. Don't open the burner compartment yourself; the fix means shutting off gas and power and sliding out the burner assembly, which Bradford White reserves for qualified service providers. If you smell gas at any point, don't touch any switches or reset anything; leave and call your gas utility from outside.

When should I call a pro for Bradford White Gas Water Heater 57?

On Honeywell-control D-series and PDV models: disconnect power, shut off the gas supply and slide out the burner assembly. Check whether the pilot shield is touching the pilot flame sensor or the flame sensor is touching the pilot hood. Bend the shield so it clears the flame sense rod, or replace the pilot shield. Check the pilot flame sense wire for broken insulation and replace the pilot if it is defective. Reinstall the pilot and burner assembly, reconnect the gas line union, turn the gas on, check for gas leaks, then reconnect power and verify proper ignitions. To clear the hard lockout on those controls, enter service mode by pressing Temperature Up and Select together for 3 seconds, then press and hold the Lockout Reset button for 3 seconds. If 57 appears along with short cycling of the main burner, Bradford White's chart starts with gas inlet pressure (natural gas 5.5 to 14.0 inches water column, propane 11.0 to 14.0 inches), then manifold pressure against the rating label, then venting. On eF Series ICON HD models, check the spark rod and its wire for a short to ground and replace the spark rod if needed. Bradford White's general checks before troubleshooting include tight wire connections and no grounded wires or missing grounds. Bradford White technical support is 800-334-3393.

Code: 57🚿 Bradford White Gas Water Heater

Bradford White Error Code 57: Flame Rod or Spark Rod Shorted to Ground

Q: What does Bradford White Gas Water Heater 57 mean?

Error code 57 on a Bradford White gas water heater means the control sees a rod in the burner shorted to ground. On commercial D-series and PDV models with the Honeywell integrated control, Bradford White calls it "Flame Rod Shorted to Ground," usually the pilot shield touching the flame sensor or a damaged flame sense wire. On eF Series heaters with the older ICON HD control, 57 means "Spark rod shorted to ground." Either way it is a service fix: the burner assembly has to come out so a technician can inspect the rod, its wire and the shield around it. Bradford White uses code 57 on two control families. On its commercial 24-volt flue damper D-series heaters (D38T155, D75T, D65T, D80T, D100T, D80L, D100L, D100S) and its PDV and induced-draft D80T725/D65T625 heaters with the Honeywell integrated control, the service manuals list "Error code 57: Flame Rod Shorted to Ground" under the pilot inspection procedure. The usual cause is the pilot shield touching the pilot flame sensor, or the flame sensor touching the pilot hood, so the flame signal leaks to ground. On those controls, every error code except 4 (low flame sense) puts the heater in lockout, and every code other than 62 and 63 is a hard lockout that can't be reset in the normal user mode. The same manuals also list 57 among codes that can show up when the main burner short cycles. On eF Series heaters with the ICON HD integrated control (125,000 to 300,000 BTU models covered by quick service guide 238-55601-00, and the eF Series Direct Spark ICON HD guide), 57 means "Spark rod shorted to ground," and the service action is to check the spark rod and its wire. Bradford White's newer eF Series ICON HD quick service guide (238-55958-00) uses a different code list that doesn't include 57, so on newer heaters check the code label under the display before relying on this page.

Reviewed 2026-10-24 · Based on 5 manufacturer & service sources

What the code means

Bradford White uses code 57 on two control families. On its commercial 24-volt flue damper D-series heaters (D38T155, D75T, D65T, D80T, D100T, D80L, D100L, D100S) and its PDV and induced-draft D80T725/D65T625 heaters with the Honeywell integrated control, the service manuals list "Error code 57: Flame Rod Shorted to Ground" under the pilot inspection procedure. The usual cause is the pilot shield touching the pilot flame sensor, or the flame sensor touching the pilot hood, so the flame signal leaks to ground. On those controls, every error code except 4 (low flame sense) puts the heater in lockout, and every code other than 62 and 63 is a hard lockout that can't be reset in the normal user mode. The same manuals also list 57 among codes that can show up when the main burner short cycles. On eF Series heaters with the ICON HD integrated control (125,000 to 300,000 BTU models covered by quick service guide 238-55601-00, and the eF Series Direct Spark ICON HD guide), 57 means "Spark rod shorted to ground," and the service action is to check the spark rod and its wire. Bradford White's newer eF Series ICON HD quick service guide (238-55958-00) uses a different code list that doesn't include 57, so on newer heaters check the code label under the display before relying on this page.

Likely causes

The pilot shield touching the pilot flame sensor, or the flame sensor touching the pilot hood (Honeywell-control D-series and PDV models)
Broken or damaged insulation on the pilot flame sense wire, letting it touch metal
A spark rod or its wire shorted to ground (eF Series ICON HD models)
A bent, cracked or damaged rod after the burner assembly was removed or bumped during service

Safe DIY checks

⚠ Before you start

Unplug the appliance and shut off its gas valve before working on it; never disconnect or alter the gas line. If you smell gas, leave and call your gas utility.

Write down the code and your model and serial number from the rating plate; Bradford White says to confirm which control generation you have if the serial date is near the cutoff, using the For The Pro contractor app or bradfordwhite.com.
On Honeywell-control commercial models, code 57 is a hard lockout: Bradford White's manual says it can only be reset from the service mode, and resetting a lockout without fixing the cause can create a hazardous condition.
Don't open the burner compartment yourself; the fix means shutting off gas and power and sliding out the burner assembly, which Bradford White reserves for qualified service providers.
If you smell gas at any point, don't touch any switches or reset anything; leave and call your gas utility from outside.

🛠 When to call a pro

On Honeywell-control D-series and PDV models: disconnect power, shut off the gas supply and slide out the burner assembly.
Check whether the pilot shield is touching the pilot flame sensor or the flame sensor is touching the pilot hood. Bend the shield so it clears the flame sense rod, or replace the pilot shield.
Check the pilot flame sense wire for broken insulation and replace the pilot if it is defective.
Reinstall the pilot and burner assembly, reconnect the gas line union, turn the gas on, check for gas leaks, then reconnect power and verify proper ignitions.
To clear the hard lockout on those controls, enter service mode by pressing Temperature Up and Select together for 3 seconds, then press and hold the Lockout Reset button for 3 seconds.
If 57 appears along with short cycling of the main burner, Bradford White's chart starts with gas inlet pressure (natural gas 5.5 to 14.0 inches water column, propane 11.0 to 14.0 inches), then manifold pressure against the rating label, then venting.
On eF Series ICON HD models, check the spark rod and its wire for a short to ground and replace the spark rod if needed. Bradford White's general checks before troubleshooting include tight wire connections and no grounded wires or missing grounds.
Bradford White technical support is 800-334-3393.

Parts that commonly fix it

Always match the part number to your exact model.

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Flame sensor

Bradford White says to replace the pilot if the flame sense wire is damaged; match the part to your model and serial number.

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⚙

Digital multimeter

For checking a rod or wire for continuity to ground with the power off.

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⚙

Gas leak detector

Bradford White's procedure ends with a gas leak check after the burner goes back in.

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⚙

Carbon monoxide alarm

Recommended in any home or building with a gas water heater.

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Sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-24. Always confirm against the manual for your exact model number.

Bradford White Error Code 57: Flame Rod or Spark Rod Shorted to Ground

What the code means

Likely causes

Safe DIY checks

🛠 When to call a pro

Parts that commonly fix it

Flame sensor

Digital multimeter

Gas leak detector

Carbon monoxide alarm

Related codes

Sources