State Water Heater E136 Error — What It Means
E136 does not appear in any official State Water Heaters technical manual or support database. State (a subsidiary of A.O. Smith) publishes error codes such as E001, E003, E012, E030, and E110 for tankless units, but E136 is not among them. You may have misread a similar code (E110 for low water flow, E012 for flame loss, E130 for exhaust overheat) or your unit may have a non-OEM control board that uses proprietary codes not found in manufacturer documentation.
Before attempting any repair, locate the rating plate on your unit, scan the QR code to access official support resources, and confirm the exact error code displayed. If the display truly shows E136 and your manual does not list it, contact State Water Heaters technical support or a certified contractor. Do not proceed with parts replacement based on an unverified code.
Before You Replace Anything
Technicians sometimes replace the gas valve or control board when the real issue is a plugged vent, dirty flame sensor, or low gas pressure. Verify the exact error code in your manual and perform free physical checks first.
Common Causes
- Misread or transposed error code (~40%) E110, E012, or E130 may have been misread as E136, or the display may be damaged.
- Plugged vent or air intake (~25%) Snow, ice, or debris in the vent pipe or air inlet can trigger multiple fault codes by starving combustion air or blocking exhaust.
- Non-OEM or aftermarket control board (~15%) Third-party replacement control boards may display proprietary codes not found in official State Water Heaters documentation.
- Failed inducer or blower motor (~10%) A motor that hums but does not spin will prevent proper venting and may cause the control board to display an unrecognized fault.
- Low gas pressure or faulty regulator (~5%) Insufficient gas supply can cause flame loss and erratic control board behavior, sometimes resulting in unusual error displays.
- Dirty or failed flame sensor (~5%) A flame sensor covered in soot or corrosion may intermittently fail to confirm ignition, triggering unexpected codes.
Quick Diagnosis
Answer these to narrow it down fast.
Does your owner's manual or the official State support site (via the rating plate QR code) list E136?
No: The code is not official. Double-check the display for a similar code (E110, E012, E130) or contact State technical support.
Is the vent pipe or air intake blocked by snow, ice, or debris?
No: Proceed to verify gas supply pressure and inspect the flame sensor and inducer motor.
Does the inducer motor hum or make noise when the unit tries to fire?
No: Check for voltage at the motor harness and inspect the control board for damaged traces or burned relays.
Step-by-Step Fix
- Power down the unit by switching off the circuit breaker and closing the gas shutoff valve.
- Locate the rating plate on the side or front of the water heater and scan the QR code with your phone to access official State support resources and the correct manual for your model.
- Verify the exact error code displayed on the control panel and cross-reference it with the troubleshooting section of your manual. If E136 does not appear, note the actual code shown.
- Inspect the vent pipe and air intake for blockages such as snow, ice, bird nests, or debris. Remove any obstruction and confirm both openings are clear.
- Check gas supply pressure at the unit inlet (consult your model’s specifications table) and inspect the propane regulator (if applicable) for freeze-up or damage.
- Remove and clean the flame sensor using fine-grit sandpaper or a soft cloth to remove soot and corrosion, then reinstall it securely.
- Test the inducer motor by restoring power briefly and listening for a hum without rotation, which indicates a failed motor bearing or capacitor.
- Power cycle the unit by unplugging it (or turning off the breaker) for 60 seconds, then reconnecting. Observe whether the error clears or a new, documented code appears.
- Contact State Water Heaters technical support or a certified contractor if the code persists, the manual does not list E136, or you cannot identify the root cause.
Parts Often Needed
| Part | Notes |
|---|---|
| Flame sensor (State/A.O. Smith OEM) | Amazon | Match the part number on your rating plate or in your manual; sensors are model-specific. |
| Inducer blower motor assembly | Amazon | Verify model compatibility and voltage rating before ordering; typically 120V for residential units. |
| Gas control valve (State/A.O. Smith OEM) | Amazon | Only replace if diagnostics confirm valve failure; requires gas shut-off and pressure testing after installation. |
When to Call a Pro
Call a licensed technician if E136 does not appear in your manual and you cannot identify a documented code, if you are uncomfortable working with gas lines or high-voltage wiring, or if free checks (clearing vents, cleaning the flame sensor, power cycling) do not resolve the issue. Gas pressure testing, inducer motor replacement, and control board diagnosis require specialized tools and safety protocols. A qualified contractor can also verify whether your unit has an aftermarket control board and source the correct replacement if needed.
Rough cost: A pro service call runs about $150-400.