Girard Water Heater: “E6”
warning RV water heater fault codes
What it means
Over-temperature. The outlet water temperature exceeded 60 °C (140 °F) for three seconds and the board shut the burner down. This is the first stage of the heater's temperature protection — the electronic one, acting well before the mechanical ECO.
Most likely causes
- Air purging through the plumbing causing erratic flow/temperature spikes most likely
- Very low water flow letting outlet temperature spike common
- Incoming cold water that is already warm (hot climate / sun-heated hose) common
- Restricted flow from a clogged inlet screen/filter or aerator less common
Safe checks you can do yourself
- Run water until all air is purged and flow is steady.
- Increase water flow rate; very low trickle flow can cause temperature overshoot.
- Clean the inlet water screen/filter and faucet aerators.
- Lower the temperature setpoint if it is set very high.
How to reset / clear E6
- Run cold water to cool the heater and stabilize flow.
- Turn the heater off at the panel, wait ~10 seconds, turn it back on.
- Resume hot water flow and confirm the code clears.
When to call a technician
If E6 keeps occurring with steady, adequate flow and a reasonable setpoint, have a technician check the temperature sensors and control board.
Accuracy notes
The 60 °C for 3 seconds figure is Girard's own, from the technical manual. It matters that it sits below the ECO: E6 is the board intervening at 60 °C, E3 is the ECO thermostat opening above 79 °C. A unit that reaches E6 repeatedly is being asked for more temperature than the flow allows — typically very low flow through the unit — and is not yet at the mechanical safety limit.
Applies to
GSWH-2 · 2GWHAM
FAQ
What does Girard Water Heater code "E6" mean?
Over-temperature. The outlet water temperature exceeded 60 °C (140 °F) for three seconds and the board shut the burner down. This is the first stage of the heater's temperature protection — the electronic one, acting well before the mechanical ECO.
How do I reset Girard Water Heater E6?
Run cold water to cool the heater and stabilize flow. Turn the heater off at the panel, wait ~10 seconds, turn it back on. Resume hot water flow and confirm the code clears.
What is the most common cause of E6 on a Girard Water Heater?
The most likely cause is air purging through the plumbing causing erratic flow/temperature spikes.
Related · Girard water heater
The outlet (hot side) water temperature sensor reads an invalid value.… E1
Ignition failure. The igniter sparked but the board never confirmed a… E2
Flame sensing was interrupted during normal operation. The burner had… E3
The ECO — the over-temperature cut-off thermostat — opened, either… E4
The inlet (cold side) water temperature sensor reads an invalid value… E5
Blower/fan motor fault. The control board commanded the combustion…
Sources
- Technical Manual — Girard GSWH-2 Demand Tankless Water Heater — Error Codes on User Control Panel; Troubleshooting sections (Girard Products (Lippert))
- Girard Products GSWH-2 Technical Manual — GSWH-2 Technical Manual, E6 over-temperature (outlet water exceeded limit for set seconds) (Girard Products / ManualsLib)
- Girard GSWH-2 Tankless Water Heater Technical Manual and Troubleshooting Guide — Fault code list, E6 Over Temperature; air-in-plumbing and warm inlet water as common causes (Manuals.plus)
● Checked against 3 manufacturer documents · Last verified 2026-08-09 · compiled from manufacturer documentation. Codes can vary by model year — always cross-check your unit’s manual. How we verify