HeatingCodesLennox furnace code E200: hard lockout, rollout circuit open
What E200 means
A flame rollout switch is a heat-sensing safety switch mounted on the burner box. It opens if flame or very hot gases come out of the burners instead of going into the heat exchanger and vent. When the integrated control sees that circuit open, or sees that it was open, it stops the furnace and shows E200. Lennox calls it a hard lockout, which is more serious than the 1-hour soft lockouts behind codes like E270 or E274. The furnace will not try again on its own.
We checked three Lennox documents and the E200 row is word-for-word the same in each: the SL280DFV installation instructions (508246-01, 04/2024), the SL280UHV installation instructions (508245-01, 04/2024) and the EL296DFV(X) Unit Information (Corp 1126-L5, 03/2022), where it appears in the tables for both the 103130-05 and 107045-01 controls. The action column reads: "Correct cause of rollout trip, or replace flame rollout switch. Test furnace operation. Cleared after fault recovered."
Why you should not just press the reset button
The SL280UHV manual describes the two flame rollout switches as "manually reset switches" located on the inside of the burner box, and says that if they are tripped you should "check for adequate combustion air before resetting." In its list of checks for a furnace that fails to operate, Lennox asks "Are flame rollout switches tripped?" and answers: "If flame rollout switches are tripped, call the service technician for inspection." The ML180UHE manual gives the same instruction.
The reason is that a rollout trip is a symptom. Lennox's action column says to correct the cause, and the causes are things a homeowner cannot safely judge: a blocked or disconnected vent, a lack of combustion air, a blocked heat exchanger or burner problem. Resetting a rollout switch without finding the cause can let the same condition happen again with people asleep in the house.
E200 compared with other Lennox codes
| Code | Meaning (Lennox tables) | Lockout type |
|---|---|---|
| E200 | Rollout circuit open or previously open | Hard lockout |
| E250 | Limit switch circuit open | Goes to a 1-hour soft lockout if the limit does not close within 3 minutes |
| E274 | Last recycle failed because the limit circuit opened or stayed open more than 3 minutes | 1-hour soft lockout |
| E223 | Low pressure switch failed open | Resumes normal operation after the fault is cleared |
| 8 red flashes (ML180UHE) | Rollout switch open | See red light codes |
Other brands handle the same switch in the same way. Goodman shows it as E11 (rollout switch open), Rheem and Ruud as code 33, and Carrier as status code 33, which also covers the limit circuit. All of their manuals say to find the cause before resetting.
What a homeowner can safely do about Lennox E200
- Turn the heat offSet the thermostat to Off so the furnace does not keep calling for heat.
- Check CO alarmsMake sure carbon monoxide alarms are working. If one is sounding, get everyone outside and call 911.
- Look at the vent from outsideIf you can see the vent terminations from the ground, check whether they are blocked by snow, ice or a nest. Do not climb or take pipes apart.
- Note the historyWrite down when E200 appeared and anything unusual (noise, smell, recent work on the furnace or vent). Then call a licensed HVAC technician.
Frequently asked questions
Can I reset a Lennox E200 myself?
Lennox says to call a service technician if the flame rollout switches are tripped. The code table says to correct the cause of the trip or replace the switch, then test operation.
Will E200 clear on its own?
No. It is a hard lockout. The table says it is cleared after the fault is recovered, which means after the rollout circuit is closed again by a technician.
Is E200 the same on all Lennox furnaces?
It is identical in the SL280DFV, SL280UHV and EL296DFV tables we checked. Single-stage ML180UHE furnaces show a rollout trip as 8 red flashes instead.
Sources
- Installation Instructions 508245-01 (04/2024): SL280UHV gas furnace, Integrated Control Diagnostic Codes (p. 49 onward) (Lennox) Covers: Lennox SL280UHV two-stage variable-speed 80% upflow/horizontal furnaces with the seven-segment integrated control.
- Installation Instructions 508246-01 (04/2024): SL280DFV Elite Series gas furnace, Integrated Control Diagnostic Codes (Lennox) Covers: Lennox SL280DFV variable-capacity condensing gas furnaces with the integrated control described in the document. Other Lennox furnace lines can use different code sets.
- Unit Information Corp 1126-L5 (revised 03/2022): EL296DFV(X) communicating-enabled gas furnaces, Ignition Control 103130-05 and 107045-01 Diagnostic Codes (Lennox) Covers: Lennox EL296DFV(X) communicating-enabled furnaces with the SureLight two-stage variable-speed integrated control. The document prints two code tables, one for the older 103130-05 control and one for the 107045-01 control.
- Installation Instructions 507103-04 (04/2024): ML180UHE Merit Series gas furnace, Integrated Control 103217-03 and 107163-01 red LED flash codes (Lennox) Covers: Lennox ML180UHE single-stage 80% upflow/horizontal furnaces. These use a single red diagnostic LED, not a seven-segment display.
Safety note: this page is general information drawn from the sources above. Gas, combustion and line-voltage repairs belong to a licensed professional. Your own equipment's label and manual take priority over anything here. Read the full disclaimer.