A.O. Smith EJCT-50 Elec Lowboy 50 Gal 4500W Lowboy Electric Water Heater E5 Error Fix: Heating Element Failure

A heating element has failed — open circuit detected. The element is no longer producing heat. The water heater may still partially heat water using the remaining element but recovery time will be significantly longer. Disconnect power at the breaker. Use a multimeter to test each element for continuity — a working 4500W element should read approximately 12-13 ohms. Also test elements for ground fault (continuity between element terminal and tank body — should be open). Replace the failed element using the correct wattage and voltage rating.

Medium severity2 fixes available

Quick Answer

Error E5 on the A.O. Smith EJCT-50 Elec Lowboy 50 Gal 4500W Lowboy Electric Water Heater means: Heating Element Failure. The top-ranked community fix is “Test and Replace the Faulty Heating Element” (hard difficulty, ~60 min, DIY cost: $30-$60). 2 community-ranked fixes available below.

Published February 2026 · 2 fixes · water heater

Content is based on manufacturer service documentation, community repair experience, and OEM technical bulletins. Always verify with your owner's manual.Learn about our editorial standards.

When to Call a Professional

While many water heater repairs can be done safely at home, consider hiring a qualified technician if:

The repair involves electrical wiring, gas lines, or refrigerant
You've tried the top-ranked fix and the error persists
You smell gas, see sparking, or notice water leaking
The repair requires specialized tools you don't have
Your appliance is still under manufacturer warranty

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $150-$250.

Other A.O. Smith Models with Error E5

ENS-50 ProMax Electric 50 Gal 4500W ProMax Electric Water Heater with Self-Cleaning

water_heater · 2 fixes

Other A.O. Smith EJCT-50 Elec Lowboy 50 Gal 4500W Lowboy Electric Water Heater Error Codes

Upper Temperature Sensor Failure

2 fixes

Lower Temperature Sensor Failure

2 fixes

Dry Fire Protection Activated

2 fixes

High Limit (ECO) Tripped

2 fixes

People Also Ask About A.O. Smith EJCT-50 Elec Lowboy 50 Gal 4500W Lowboy Electric Water Heater Error E5

What does error code E5 mean on a A.O. Smith EJCT-50 Elec Lowboy 50 Gal 4500W Lowboy Electric Water Heater?

Error code E5 on the A.O. Smith EJCT-50 Elec Lowboy 50 Gal 4500W Lowboy Electric Water Heater means: Heating Element Failure. A heating element has failed — open circuit detected. The element is no longer producing heat. The water heater may still partially heat water using the remaining element but recovery time will be significantly longer. Disconnect power at the breaker. Use a multimeter to test each element for continuity — a working 4500W element should read approximately 12-13 ohms. Also test elements for ground fault (continuity between element terminal and tank body — should be open). Replace the failed element using the correct wattage and voltage rating.

How do I fix error code E5 on my A.O. Smith EJCT-50 Elec Lowboy 50 Gal 4500W Lowboy Electric Water Heater?

The most successful fix is "Test and Replace the Faulty Heating Element" (hard difficulty, ~60 minutes). Estimated DIY cost: $30-$60. HomeMD has 2 community-ranked fixes for this error.

Is error code E5 on a A.O. Smith EJCT-50 Elec Lowboy 50 Gal 4500W Lowboy Electric Water Heater serious?

This error is rated medium severity. It should be addressed soon, but your appliance may still function in a limited capacity.

Can I fix A.O. Smith EJCT-50 Elec Lowboy 50 Gal 4500W Lowboy Electric Water Heater error E5 myself?

Yes — the top-ranked community fix ("Test and Replace the Faulty Heating Element") is rated hard difficulty and takes about 60 minutes. Tools needed: Flathead screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, Multimeter, Element wrench or adjustable wrench, Bucket.

How much does it cost to repair A.O. Smith EJCT-50 Elec Lowboy 50 Gal 4500W Lowboy Electric Water Heater error E5?

DIY cost: $30-$60. Professional repair typically costs $150-$250. Many homeowners save money by trying the top-ranked community fix first.

What other error codes does the A.O. Smith EJCT-50 Elec Lowboy 50 Gal 4500W Lowboy Electric Water Heater have?

The A.O. Smith EJCT-50 Elec Lowboy 50 Gal 4500W Lowboy Electric Water Heater has 4 other known error codes, including: E1 (Upper Temperature Sensor Failure), E2 (Lower Temperature Sensor Failure), E3 (Dry Fire Protection Activated), E4 (High Limit (ECO) Tripped).

Which other A.O. Smith models have the E5 error?

Error code E5 also appears on 1 other A.O. Smith model: ENS-50 ProMax Electric 50 Gal 4500W ProMax Electric Water Heater with Self-Cleaning. The fix may vary by model, so check each model's specific page for tailored repair steps.

What other error codes does the A.O. Smith EJCT-50 Elec Lowboy 50 Gal 4500W Lowboy Electric Water Heater have?

The A.O. Smith EJCT-50 Elec Lowboy 50 Gal 4500W Lowboy Electric Water Heater has 4 other known error codes:

E1 — Upper Temperature Sensor Failure (2 fixes)
E2 — Lower Temperature Sensor Failure (2 fixes)
E3 — Dry Fire Protection Activated (2 fixes)
E4 — High Limit (ECO) Tripped (2 fixes)

Which other A.O. Smith models have the E5 error?

Error code E5 also appears on 1 other A.O. Smith model:

ENS-50 ProMax Electric 50 Gal 4500W ProMax Electric Water Heater with Self-Cleaning (water heater) · 2 fixes

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