Noritz NR50, NR66 & NR71 Code 61
Fan motor fault. The combustion fan is not turning as expected. Noritz checks that the fan rotates, reads the pulse frequency from the fan rotational frequency sensor, looks for an improper connection, and measures the voltage from the circuit board. Four flashes on an NR71 or N-0631S with no remote controller — and Noritz adds a note worth having: turning off the water will only reset the unit if there is no remote controller installed.
Also displayed as: 4 flashes
Call a proThe verdict
Call a licensed plumber
The fan moves combustion air in and exhaust out, so a unit that cannot run it should not be firing — which is why it stops. Whether the fan or the board driving it is at fault decides the price.
Typical cost: $300–$1,000
US estimate for parts and labor. Prices vary by region and by who does the work — see how we estimate costs.
What the manual says
The meaning above is transcribed from the manufacturer's diagnostic documentation for the NR50, NR66 & NR71 — not averaged across the brand.
Source: Noritz Service Manual — NR50 / NR66 / NR71 / NR98 / NCC199 / NRC111 / NR111 / NC380 (Rev. July 2011) (p. 54), read Sep 2026 — the manufacturer's own documentation for this exact series.
What you can safely check
Before anything else: if you smell gas, stop here, leave, and call your gas utility.
- Listen at the unit when it tries to start — whether the fan spins up at all is the first thing a technician asks.
- Mention any recent noise from the fan; bearings get loud before they get slow.
- Leave the unit off and call a licensed professional.
Code 61 on other Noritz series
The same code number can mean something different on another series — make sure you're reading the page for your exact unit: