Is your Jacuzzi® Control Panel displaying an error message? In this article, you’ll learn how to troubleshoot and fix error codes in your Jacuzzi® J-400™ Collection Control Panel, including helpful tips to prevent future errors.
All Jacuzzi® spas have a control panel which, along with the spa’s settings, lets you know if you have any issues. These will show up as error messages and alerts on the touchpad.
These alerts and error messages make it easier for you to identify the problem and take the necessary steps to fix the issue and restore your spa to working order.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
The Jacuzzi® control panel commonly referred to as the "Jacuzzi® keypad", is connected to the spa's controller by a cable that passes through the cabinet beneath the spa itself.
The Jacuzzi® controller (or “spa pack”) is the central brain that connects to and runs all of the plumbing equipment in your spa or swim spa. Jacuzzi® J-400™ Collection Spas use ProTouch™ Control Panels which provide control over the temperature, lighting, hydromassage, filtration systems and other features.
There are a number of unique functions designed for your Jacuzzi® spa to protect it from damage and/or to aid in troubleshooting. When an error occurs, the spa will flash an alert on the control panel.
If you tap the x, the error message will be hidden but the ⚠ icon will remain on the screen as a reminder that your spa needs attention. If the error is not taken care of or fixed, the error display will reappear in 2 hours.
A solid white light indicates that all operations are normal. A solid red light indicates that immediate attention is required to clear or fix an error code.
"Your spa has a self-diagnostic control system. The system will automatically display an error message if a problem is detected."
In this section, we’ll delve into the potential error codes and messages your spa may encounter and help you understand what these error messages mean.
Please note: You can find the FAQs at the end of this article if you have questions or are unsure about any terms used in this guide.
If the “Open Flow Switch” (FL-1) error message displays on your control panel, it means that the flow switch is open, the circulation pump’s filter is excessively dirty or an “air lock” has occurred at the circulation pump intake.
When this error occurs your spa automatically deactivates the heater. The filter/circulation may also be deactivated.
How to Troubleshoot the FL-1 Error:
Hold your garden hose over the filter cartridge wall fitting while using a rag as a seal around hose end. Ask a helper to turn on water for 30 seconds, then turn off. Reinstall filter cartridge and check spa
This error message means that the flow switch is malfunctioning and it’s stuck in the closed position.
When this error occurs your spa automatically deactivates the heater. The filter/circulation may also be deactivated.
This error message is commonly caused by dirty filters. It’s important to keep in mind that filters need regular cleaning and replacement when necessary. Dirty filters may not only affect your spa’s water flow but greatly affects water quality. When this error occurs your spa automatically deactivates the heater.
The possible cause of this error can be the Hi-limit temperature sensor device malfunctioning. If this error occurs, the “Shorted Hi-limit Temp Sensor” error message will flash on the control panel and your spa automatically deactivates the heater.
To resolve this error, please contact Spa World™ Service.
The possible cause of this error can be:
If this error occurs, the “Open Hi-limit Temp Sensor” error message will flash on the control panel and your spa automatically deactivates the heater.
To resolve this error, please contact Spa World™ Service.
The possible cause of this error can be the water temperature sensor device malfunctioning. If this error occurs, the “Shorted Water Temp Sensor” error message will flash on the control panel and your spa automatically deactivates the heater.
To resolve this error, please contact Spa World™ Service.
The possible cause of this error can be:
If this error occurs, the “Open Water Temp Sensor” error message will flash on the control panel and your spa automatically deactivates the heater.
To resolve this error, please contact Spa World™ Service.
The possible causes of this start-up error can be:
If this error occurs, the “Closed Flow Switch on Start-up” error message will flash on the control panel and your spa automatically deactivates its system.
To resolve this error, please contact Spa World™ Service.
The possible causes of this start-up error can be:
If this error occurs, the “Frozen on Start-up” error message will flash on the control panel and your spa automatically deactivates its system.
To resolve this error, please contact Spa World™ Service.
Your spa features an adjustable thermostat. The “Cool Warning” error message will flash on the control panel if the spa water is more than 11°C/20°F cooler than the temperature set point.
This alert aims to let the user know that the circulation pump and heater will automatically activate to provide freeze protection and don’t require corrective action.
Important reminders:
When a potential freeze is detected, the “Freeze protection” error message will flash on the control panel.
This alert aims to let the user know Jets pump(s) operate until the spa is out of danger and doesn’t require corrective action. However, If the condition persists, please contact Spa World™ Service.
When the spa water is above acceptable temperature limits, the error message “Overheat protection” will display on the control panel.
WARNING! Do not enter the spa as the water temperature has reached above acceptable temperature limits. There’s a risk of hyperthermia (overheating) causing severe injury, burns, or welts.
When this error occurs the heater automatically deactivates. To help reduce your spa’s temperature, please remove the spa cover.
To resolve this error, please contact Spa World™ Service.
Important reminders:
This error message displays on you the control panel when the safety “Watchdog” software has been triggered because the spa water temperature is above acceptable limits.
WARNING! Do not enter the spa as the water temperature has reached above acceptable temperature limits. There’s a risk of hyperthermia (overheating) causing severe injury, burns, or welts.
When this error occurs the spa automatically deactivates. To help reduce your spa’s temperature, please remove the spa cover.
To resolve this error, please contact Spa World™ Warranty.
Important reminder: The heater icon will blink and the error icon will be displayed under the temperature.
This error message will be displayed on the control panel if the spa water is below 4.4°C (40°F).
When this error occurs the spa automatically activates pumps and operates until the spa is out of danger.
To resolve this error, please contact Spa World™ Service.
Important reminder: The heater icon will blink and the error icon will be displayed under the temperature.
When your spa’s controller temperature has exceeded acceptable limits, the “Controller Overheat Protection” error message will appear on the control panel. Providing shade for the equipment side of the spa will help reduce the heat.
If the condition persists, please contact Spa World™ Service. to resolve the issue.
Important reminder: The heater icon will blink and the error icon will be displayed under the temperature.
The “Panel Com Error” error message will appear if your control panel is having trouble communicating with your spa.
To resolve this error, please contact Spa World™ Service.
The “Stereo Com Error” error message will appear on the control panel if the stereo is having trouble communicating with your spa.
To resolve this error, please contact Spa World™ Service.
The “Wi-fi Com Error” error message will appear on the control panel if the Wi-fi module is having trouble communicating with your spa.
To resolve this error, please contact Spa World™ Service.
Please note that this error message is not applicable if the optional SmartTub™ system is installed.
The potential issue your spa might be facing is a malfunction in the communication between the audio system and the control panel.
You can try resolving this by powering down the spa, waiting for three seconds, and then restarting it to see if the error clears. If the problem continues, please reach out to Spa World™ Service for assistance.
The “Feature not Installed” error message displays when you attempt to enable functionalities that have not been installed on your system.
To eliminate this message and return to the primary interface, simply press button D, which will take you back to the Main Menu. This will allow you to navigate away from the current alert and continue using other available features.
If the error message “Emergency Shutdown” displays in the control panel of your spa, it means that the system has identified that the temperature of the spa water exceeds the safe limits. The spa has been deactivated to prevent potential harm to the spa and its parts.
CAUTION: PLEASE DO NOT GET ENTER THE SPA.
To resolve this error, please contact Spa World™ Service.
The Start-up Malfunction occurs when the flow switch is malfunctioning. In this event, the system is disabled and indicates a shorted or closed flow switch when it is started up.
To resolve this error, please contact Spa World™ Service.
The Jacuzzi® J-400™ Collection Spa is equipped with CLEARRAY® Water Purification System that uses natural ultraviolet technology to sanitize your water, disinfecting bacteria, viruses, and algae. This water purification system has a UV bulb that must be replaced once a year.
The Change CLEARRAY Bulb error message will appear on the control panel’s display when the CLEARRAY® bulb timer has expired. In order to clear the message, a new UV bulb needs to be installed and the timer must be reset. To replace the UV bulb, please refer to the owner’s manual.
Click the button below to learn a step-by-step guide on how to program the CLEARRAY® Timer on a Jacuzzi® J-400™ Collection Spa.
The Jacuzzi® J-400™ Collection Spa is equipped with ProClarity™ and ProClear™ filter cartridges. If this reminder appears on the control panel, it means that your filters need cleaning or replacement.
The ProClarity™ and ProClear™ filter cartridges can be cleaned every month but must be replaced every 18 months.
Click the button below to learn a step-by-step guide on how to clean the Jacuzzi® J-400™ Collection filter.
Apart from the ProClarity™ and ProClear™ filters, Jacuzzi® J-400™ Collection Spa is also equipped with a ProClarity™ Depth micron filter. If this reminder appears on the control panel, it means that it needs to be replaced.
Important reminders:
As a guide, spa water should be changed every three to six months or as required. How often you change your spa water, depends on a range of factors including the type of spa you have, the number of spa users, how often you use it, and how vigilant you are with hygiene.
A programmable water refresh timer can be set to remind you when it’s time to drain and refill your hot tub. When the timer expires, a message will flash on the screen of the control panel reminding you it’s time to drain and refill your spa.
Click the button below to learn a step-by-step guide on how to drain and refill Jacuzzi® J-400™ Collection Spa.
If your Jacuzzi® spa isn’t operating the way it should, the first step is to check the control panel for error codes or messages. Once you have the code or message, the next step is to refer to the owner’s manual and review the installation and operating instructions.
If you are still not satisfied it is working properly, please follow the appropriate troubleshooting instructions.
Important: If you find any damaged supply cords, please contact Spa World™ for a replacement.
If none of your spa components works, (for example, the pump, jets, and lights), you may check the following.
Check for possible errors and reminder messages on the control panel and take the action required. Please refer to the guide above.
If you did not find any error messages or reminders, the next troubleshooting step is to check the circuit breaker. If the breaker switches itself off, the household circuit breaker might have tripped.
If you found the circuit breaker is indeed tripped, please contact Spa World™ Service. to resolve the problem.
There are several possible reasons the pump isn’t operating properly and most of them are easy to fix.
If after activating the jets, there’s no sound detected or you hear a “buzzing” sound, please turn off the spa and contact your authorised Jacuzzi® dealer or qualified service technician to resolve the problem.
If the motor operates but no water flows to the jets, it’s possible that the pump may not be properly primed.
Please follow the priming instructions below.
Important reminder: This method must be used for the jet’s pumps because these pumps are not connected to the main filter system in any way.
If the pump doesn’t operate after performing the priming procedure above, please contact Spa World™ Service to resolve the problem.
As explained above, an airlock happens if there is trapped air in the pump or plumbing. To resolve the airlock, please follow the guide below.
You’ll need:
A garden hose
A rag
Water source
An extra hand
Step 1: Turn off the spa
Step 2: Remove the filter cartridge.
Step 3: Hold your garden hose over the filter cartridge wall fitting while using a rag as a seal around the hose end.
Step 4: While holding the garden hose, ask a helper to turn on the water for 30 seconds, then turn it off.
Step 5: Reinstall the filter cartridge and check the spa.
If the jets aren’t giving the pressure they typically would, you may follow the troubleshooting steps below.
The Jets Pump icon on the home screen of your control panel can tell you whether the Jets Pump is turned on or off. If you see the pump icon, it means that the Jets Pump is ON.
Click the button below to learn how to turn the Jets Pump ON.
Each Jacuzzi® J-400™ Collection spa incorporates a massage selector that allows you to customize the massage and performance by diverting water between various jet systems.
If you are experiencing a weak or uneven flow through the jets, try adjusting the massage selector position and see if you notice a change in water pressure.
Certain jet systems have their own “toggle” on/off air control. Each control introduces air into the water lines that supply specific jet groups. Simply press any air control button to open or press the opposite side of the button to close.
The water must cover all jets but not touch the bottom of the lowest headrest. If the water level is low, please fill it as necessary.
Dirty or clogged filters don’t only affect the quality of the spa water but might lead to other spa issues. If your filter needs cleaning, refer to the step-by-step guide below.
Your spa gives an alert if it detects that the spa water is too hot. If it is, please don’t enter the spa. You may be at risk of scalding and other overheating injuries. To reduce the temperature of the spa, please do the following.
To reduce the temperature of your spa, you can program the heater settings to Economy Mode.
By removing the cover of the spa, you're allowing the heat to escape which cools down the water.
When using the spa in "Econo" mode, the heater will only turn on during preprogrammed times.
Click the button below to learn a step-by-step guide on how to operate the heating modes on a Jacuzzi® J-400™ Collection Spa.
Ensure that the pumps are turned off and not running continuously.
If your spa doesn’t heat up, you can perform the following troubleshooting steps.
The default display of the control panel shows the current spa temperature. If the water temperature is lower than the temperature you desire, you may adjust its temperature.
One key benefit of quality spa covers is it helps with heat retention. The heating process will be faster with the spa cover in place.
If the heater indicator is displayed, but no temperature increase is experienced after a reasonable period of time, please contact Spa World™ Service to resolve the problem.
The circulation pump runs during the primary filtration cycle, together with the CLEARRAY® and ozone unit.
Important reminder: Any time the circulation pump runs outside of a program cycle, e.g. for heating, that run time will be deducted from the next primary filter cycle. For example, the primary filter cycle is set to 8 hours every 24 hours but the circulation pump comes on for 2 hours to heat the water after the cycle has finished. The next primary filter cycle will only be for 6 hours, not 8 hours.
To change or check the programmed primary filtration cycle of your spa, you may use the guide below.
Check the control panel and make sure there are no errors preventing the pump from turning on. If there’s an error message or reminder that requires action, please follow the guide above.
In warm weather, the water temperature in the spa may exceed the set temperature. This condition may occur due to heat transference from the filter/circulation pump and jets pumps. If the water temperature is higher than 35°C (95°F) and 1°C (2°F) above the set temperature, a “Summer Logic” condition occurs that deactivates the filter/circulation pump and CLEARRAY®.
Water priming is the cycle of the water flowing through the circulation pump into the plumbing and back into the spa. This process activates the circulation pump before the automatic heat cycle begins to ensure there is enough water in the heater tube so that the heater element will not be damaged by overheating.
An airlock is a bubble of air trapped in the pump or plumbing. This air bubble prevents the circulation pump from pumping water and causes the spa controller to trip off.
Hot tubs are most often equipped with flow switches, which are helpful safety devices to monitor the flow of water as it circulates throughout the tub. The heater will turn off if the flow of water is interrupted, keeping it in optimal condition and not causing any damage to the surrounding equipment.
Generally, hot tubs are equipped with two types of sensors, ー water temperature sensor and a Hi-limit temperature sensor. Both are used as safety features to prevent your spa from overheating.
A water temperature sensor, as the name implies, is a device that is used to measure the water temperature of the hot tub which displays on the control panel.
The water temperature sensor is typically installed in the filter housing and is connected to the circuit board. In case this device malfunctions, an error message is displayed on the control panel.
Hi-limit sensors monitor the temperature inside heaters and alert the control system if the temperature exceeds safe levels.
If overheating occurs, the Hi-limit temperature sensor sends a signal to your spa’s circuit board and automatically deactivates the heater. Like the water temperature sensor, in the event that this device malfunctions, an error message is displayed on the control panel.
The alerts and messages on the display of your control panel are important. So be sure to pay attention and perform the outlined troubleshooting steps above.
Please keep the following in mind:
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