Noritz NRC Series Code 71
Gas solenoid valve drive circuit fault. The circuit that drives the gas solenoid valves has faulted. Noritz attributes this one squarely to the circuit board rather than to the valves, and the display window appends a digit from 1 to 9. It is the board's own report that it cannot drive the valves that let gas into the burner.
Also displayed as: 711, 712, 713, 714, 715, 716, 717, 718, 719
Call a proThe verdict
Call a licensed plumber
Noritz names circuit board failure as the cause, which makes this an expensive code. It is also a gas control fault, so it is not one to keep resetting to get through the week.
Typical cost: $400–$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 NRC Series — not averaged across the brand.
Source: Noritz Service Manual — NR501-OD, NR662-OD, NRC661, NRC711 (Rev. Dec 2013) (p. 28), 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.
- Leave the unit switched off.
- Note the third digit from the display window for the technician.
- Call a licensed professional.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between code 51 and code 71?
Code 51 is the valve side — Noritz checks the valve connections first and only then the board. Code 71 is the drive circuit, and Noritz lists circuit board failure as the only cause. In practice 51 has a cheap outcome available and 71 usually does not.
Code 71 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:
Don't confuse this with
One other Noritz NRC Series code points at a valve too. They are different components in different places, and ordering a part against the wrong one is the most common way this fault gets expensive: