Bradford White RG2PV40T6N 40 Gallon 40,000 BTU Power Vent Gas Water Heater with Defender Safety System 8-FLASH Error Fix: Power Interruption / Loss of Pilot Signal

Error code 8-FLASH on the Bradford White RG2PV40T6N 40 Gallon 40,000 BTU Power Vent Gas Water Heater with Defender Safety System means: Power Interruption / Loss of Pilot Signal. The ICON System LED blinks eight times, indicating the gas control valve lost the pilot signal during operation or experienced a power reset. The thermopile connection may be intermittent, or a draft or downdraft blew out the pilot flame. Relight the pilot following the instructions on the water heater label. If the pilot lights but this code reappears, check the thermopile connections at the gas valve for looseness. Inspect the vent connector and chimney for downdraft conditions — high winds can push exhaust down the flue and extinguish the pilot. On atmospheric vent models, ensure adequate combustion air is available in the space.

The most successful fix is "Inspect and Repair Venting System and Replace Thermopile if Needed" (medium difficulty, ~60 minutes). Estimated DIY cost: $20-$50. HomeMD has 2 community-ranked fixes for this error.

This error is rated high severity. You should address it promptly — continued use could cause damage or safety concerns.

Yes — the top-ranked community fix ("Inspect and Repair Venting System and Replace Thermopile if Needed") is rated medium difficulty and takes about 60 minutes. Tools needed: Multimeter, Adjustable wrench, Screwdriver set, Flashlight.

DIY cost: $20-$50. Professional repair typically costs $150-$250. Many homeowners save money by trying the top-ranked community fix first.

The Bradford White RG2PV40T6N 40 Gallon 40,000 BTU Power Vent Gas Water Heater with Defender Safety System has 8 other known error codes, including: 1-FLASH (Normal Operation — System OK), 2-FLASH (Thermopile Voltage Low), 4-FLASH (High Temperature / ECO Trip), 5-FLASH (Temperature Sensor Failure), 7-FLASH (Gas Control Valve Electronics Failure), and 3 more.

Error code 8-FLASH also appears on 6 other Bradford White models: D-W-2-75T6BN Ultra Low NOx, MI50S6BN 50 Gallon 76,000 BTU Magnum Series Commercial Natural Gas Water Heater, MI50T6FBN 50 Gallon 40,000 BTU Natural Gas Magnum Commercial Water Heater, RG240T6N eF Series, RG250T6N 50 Gallon 40,000 BTU 0.67 EF Defender Safety System Gas Water Heater, RG2PV50H6N 50 Gallon 40,000 BTU Power Vent Gas Water Heater with Defender Safety System. The fix may vary by model, so check each model's specific page for tailored repair steps.