Payne Furnace: 2 Flashes
A Payne furnace LED pattern starting with 2 flashes matches 9 documented codes: 21, 22, 23, 23.3, 24, 25, 25.1, 26.1, 27. Watch the full pattern (short vs. long flashes) to tell them apart — all 9 are explained below.
Code 21: Gas heating lockout
Gas heating lockout. 24 VAC was sensed on the gas valve when it should not be there. The control turns off power and waits 5 minutes before retrying.
Manual wording: “21 GAS HEATING LOCKOUT - Turn off power and wait 5 minutes to retry. Check for: - Stuck closed gas valve relay on control. - Miswire or short to gas valve wire.”
Documented for: PG92ESA, PG95ESA, PG96VTA, PG80MSU
Likely causes, most common first
- Stuck-closed gas valve relay on the control board
- Miswire or short to the gas valve wire
When to call a technician
This code means the board may not be able to keep the gas valve shut. Turn the furnace off at the service switch and call a technician.
A Payne furnace throwing this code repeatedly has a reason — clearing the code without fixing the cause just hides it.
Sources
- PG92ESA: Installation, Start-up, Operating and Service and Maintenance Instructions (Payne, PG92ESA multipoise 92% single-stage condensing gas furnace) · checked 2026-08-25
- PG95ESA: Installation, Start-up, Operating and Service and Maintenance Instructions (Payne, PG95ESA multipoise 95% single-stage condensing gas furnace) · checked 2026-08-25
- PG96VTA: Installation, Start-up, Operating and Service and Maintenance Instructions (Payne, PG96VTA two-stage, variable-speed ECM 4-way multipoise condensing gas furnace) · checked 2026-08-25
- PG80MSU: Installation, Start-up, Operating and Service and Maintenance Instructions (Payne, PG80MSU 80% multipoise gas furnace with 3-digit display and pressure transducer) · checked 2026-08-25
Code 22: Abnormal flame-proving signal
Abnormal flame-proving signal. Flame is proved while the gas valve is de-energized. The inducer keeps running until the fault clears.
Manual wording: “22 ABNORMAL FLAME-PROVING SIGNAL Flame is proved while gas valve is de-energized. Inducer will run until fault is cleared. Check for: - Stuck open or leaky gas valve.”
Documented for: PG92ESA, PG95ESA, PG96VTA
Likely causes, most common first
- Stuck open or leaky gas valve
When to call a technician
The furnace is sensing burning gas when the valve should be closed. Shut the furnace off at the service switch and call a technician immediately. Do not touch the gas valve.
A Payne furnace throwing this code repeatedly has a reason — clearing the code without fixing the cause just hides it.
Sources
- PG92ESA: Installation, Start-up, Operating and Service and Maintenance Instructions (Payne, PG92ESA multipoise 92% single-stage condensing gas furnace) · checked 2026-08-25
- PG95ESA: Installation, Start-up, Operating and Service and Maintenance Instructions (Payne, PG95ESA multipoise 95% single-stage condensing gas furnace) · checked 2026-08-25
- PG96VTA: Installation, Start-up, Operating and Service and Maintenance Instructions (Payne, PG96VTA two-stage, variable-speed ECM 4-way multipoise condensing gas furnace) · checked 2026-08-25
Code 23: Pressure switch did not open
Pressure switch did not open. The control expected the pressure switch to be open before the inducer started and it was already closed.
Manual wording: “23 PRESSURE SWITCH DID NOT OPEN - Check for: - Obstructed pressure tube. - Pressure switch stuck closed.”
Documented for: PG92ESA, PG95ESA, PG96VTA
Likely causes, most common first
- Obstructed pressure tube
- Pressure switch stuck closed
When to call a technician
The pressure switch is a combustion safety device. A technician must inspect the tubing and switch. Never jumper or bypass a pressure switch.
A Payne furnace throwing this code repeatedly has a reason — clearing the code without fixing the cause just hides it.
Sources
- PG92ESA: Installation, Start-up, Operating and Service and Maintenance Instructions (Payne, PG92ESA multipoise 92% single-stage condensing gas furnace) · checked 2026-08-25
- PG95ESA: Installation, Start-up, Operating and Service and Maintenance Instructions (Payne, PG95ESA multipoise 95% single-stage condensing gas furnace) · checked 2026-08-25
- PG96VTA: Installation, Start-up, Operating and Service and Maintenance Instructions (Payne, PG96VTA two-stage, variable-speed ECM 4-way multipoise condensing gas furnace) · checked 2026-08-25
Code 23.3: Over pressure at start-up
Over pressure at start-up. The pressure transducer output is above 0.65 Vdc at the start of the heating sequence, so the control delays ignition until the signal returns to range.
Manual wording: “23.3 OVER PRESSUREAT START-UP - Voltage output from transducer is > 0.65 Vdc at start of heating sequence.”
Documented for: PG80MSU
Likely causes, most common first
- Improper vent sizing
- Obstruction in the pressure tubing
- Defective transducer
- Defective transducer wiring
- Excessive wind
What you can safely check yourself
- Check outdoor intake and exhaust terminations for snow, ice, or debris
When to call a technician
The pressure transducer and its tubing are inside the furnace cabinet - have a technician test them.
A Payne furnace throwing this code repeatedly has a reason — clearing the code without fixing the cause just hides it.
Source
- PG80MSU: Installation, Start-up, Operating and Service and Maintenance Instructions (Payne, PG80MSU 80% multipoise gas furnace with 3-digit display and pressure transducer) · checked 2026-08-25
Code 24: The 24 V secondary voltage fuse on the control board is open, which means there is a short in the low-voltage wiring
The 24 V secondary voltage fuse on the control board is open, which means there is a short in the low-voltage wiring.
Manual wording: “24 SECONDARY VOLTAGE FUSE IS OPEN - Check for: - Short circuit in secondary voltage (24V) wiring including thermostat leads.”
Documented for: PG92ESA, PG95ESA, PG96VTA, PG80MSU
Likely causes, most common first
- Short circuit in the secondary voltage (24 V) wiring, including the thermostat leads
When to call a technician
Just replacing the fuse blows the new one. A technician has to isolate the shorted thermostat or accessory wire first.
A Payne furnace throwing this code repeatedly has a reason — clearing the code without fixing the cause just hides it.
Sources
- PG92ESA: Installation, Start-up, Operating and Service and Maintenance Instructions (Payne, PG92ESA multipoise 92% single-stage condensing gas furnace) · checked 2026-08-25
- PG95ESA: Installation, Start-up, Operating and Service and Maintenance Instructions (Payne, PG95ESA multipoise 95% single-stage condensing gas furnace) · checked 2026-08-25
- PG96VTA: Installation, Start-up, Operating and Service and Maintenance Instructions (Payne, PG96VTA two-stage, variable-speed ECM 4-way multipoise condensing gas furnace) · checked 2026-08-25
- PG80MSU: Installation, Start-up, Operating and Service and Maintenance Instructions (Payne, PG80MSU 80% multipoise gas furnace with 3-digit display and pressure transducer) · checked 2026-08-25
Code 25: Invalid model selection or setup error
Invalid model selection or setup error. If code 25 flashes only 4 times at power-up, the control is missing its model plug PL4 and is defaulting to the model stored in memory. If it flashes continuously, the model plug is missing with no valid stored model, a setup switch is wrong, or two different models were twinned.
Manual wording: “25 INVALID MODEL SELECTION OR SETUP ERROR - If status code 25 only flashes 4 times on power-up the control is missing its model plug PL4 and is defaulting to the model selection stored in memory.”
Documented for: PG96VTA
Likely causes, most common first
- Model plug PL4 missing (common after a replacement control board)
- Thermostat call with setup switch SW1-1 or SW1-6 left ON
- Two different furnace models twinned together
- Incorrect service replacement control
When to call a technician
This is a setup fault that shows up after service work. The technician needs to install the correct model plug and return the setup switches to their proper positions.
A Payne furnace throwing this code repeatedly has a reason — clearing the code without fixing the cause just hides it.
Source
- PG96VTA: Installation, Start-up, Operating and Service and Maintenance Instructions (Payne, PG96VTA two-stage, variable-speed ECM 4-way multipoise condensing gas furnace) · checked 2026-08-25
Code 25.1: No program information in the control's microprocessor - there is no heating operation until the control is programmed
No program information in the control's microprocessor - there is no heating operation until the control is programmed.
Manual wording: “25.1 NO PROGRAM info in micro, no heating operation.”
Documented for: PG80MSU
Likely causes, most common first
- Control board unprogrammed or program lost
When to call a technician
The control has to be reprogrammed with the program number from the rating plate using the dealer service app or a super plug.
A Payne furnace throwing this code repeatedly has a reason — clearing the code without fixing the cause just hides it.
Source
- PG80MSU: Installation, Start-up, Operating and Service and Maintenance Instructions (Payne, PG80MSU 80% multipoise gas furnace with 3-digit display and pressure transducer) · checked 2026-08-25
Code 26.1: Loose factory wiring - a jumper in the factory wiring harness is loose or disconnected
Loose factory wiring - a jumper in the factory wiring harness is loose or disconnected.
Manual wording: “26.1 LOOSE FACTORY WIRING - Jumper in factory wiring harness is loose or disconnected (pins reserved for future use).”
Documented for: PG80MSU
Likely causes, most common first
- Jumper connection between PL1-2 and PL1-4 loose or disconnected
When to call a technician
The jumper is on the control board's low-voltage harness inside the furnace cabinet - have a technician reseat it.
A Payne furnace throwing this code repeatedly has a reason — clearing the code without fixing the cause just hides it.
Source
- PG80MSU: Installation, Start-up, Operating and Service and Maintenance Instructions (Payne, PG80MSU 80% multipoise gas furnace with 3-digit display and pressure transducer) · checked 2026-08-25
Code 27: The program in the super plug is missing, not recognized, or corrupted
The program in the super plug is missing, not recognized, or corrupted.
Manual wording: “27.1 - 27.3 Program in super plug is missing, not recognized, or corrupted. Remove super plug then retry.”
Documented for: PG80MSU
Likely causes, most common first
- Super plug missing, unreadable, or corrupted
When to call a technician
A technician removes the super plug and retries, then tries a different super plug; if code 27 persists the control is replaced.
A Payne furnace throwing this code repeatedly has a reason — clearing the code without fixing the cause just hides it.
Source
- PG80MSU: Installation, Start-up, Operating and Service and Maintenance Instructions (Payne, PG80MSU 80% multipoise gas furnace with 3-digit display and pressure transducer) · checked 2026-08-25