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Bullfrog Spas error codes

Short answer

Bullfrog's 2026 A Series manual prints Gecko's error list: FLO is no flow, HL a tripped high limit, OH water too hot and Pr a temperature probe fault. Its badge light flashes three times quickly for a warning. Bullfrog's 2014 manual carries Balboa's pages instead, with numbered codes such as M028 (heater may be dry).

Updated By the HotTubFinder research desk

A hot tub control panel showing an error code, and the owner's manual, which names the control system
The panel shows the code. Its label is often the spa's brand, so check the manual for the control system.

What you can check yourself

  1. Check the water level and top it up to the line in your manual.
  2. Clean the filter, or replace it if it is worn.
  3. Open any closed valves and jets.
  4. Purge an air lock the way your owner's manual describes.
  5. Reset the GFCI or breaker once. If it trips again, leave it off.

Where the owner's part ends

Anything else: turn off power at the breaker and call a technician.

Bullfrog's own troubleshooting sends a blown fuse, a defective pump or heater, and a GFCI that keeps tripping to the dealer or an electrician. Turn off power at the breaker first.

Bullfrog A Series badge light, 2026 manual

2 codes
Bullfrog A Series badge light, 2026 manual
CodeWhat it meansWhat to do
Slow fading badge lightPanel: Reminder lightA reminder such as a filter clean, water change or cover check; the text is on the main control.Normal

Nothing to do: this is the spa working as designed.

No call needed; reset it in Settings once done.

Three quick flashesPanel: Warning lightA system warning such as low heater flow, a high-limit or probe error, freeze or overheat. The text is on the main control.Technician

Bullfrog says to contact your retailer or service center right away.

What do the codes on a 2026 Bullfrog mean?

The 2026 A Series manual reprints Gecko's in.k1000 error table word for word, naming Gecko's in.xm2 pack and in.stick software key. So the full meanings are Gecko's. The ones a Bullfrog owner sees most are below; every message is on the Gecko error codes page.

Gecko in.k1000 messages printed in Bullfrog's 2026 A Series manual (selected)

11 codes
Gecko in.k1000 messages printed in Bullfrog's 2026 A Series manual (selected)
CodeWhat it meansWhat to do
HLPanel: High Limit circuit has trippedThe heater's high-limit safety circuit has tripped.Stay out
  • Stay out of the water.
  • Take the cover off so the water can cool.
  • Clean the filter, or replace it if it is worn.

Call if it trips again.

FLOAlso: FLO - L01, FLO - L02Panel: FLO conditionA no-flow condition. Gecko's own list says to check the filter, pump, blockage, air lock and water level.Check first
  • Clean the filter, or replace it if it is worn.
  • Check the water level and top it up to the line in your manual.
  • Open any closed valves and jets.
  • Purge an air lock the way your owner's manual describes.

Call if it persists.

NO FLOPanel: Persistent NO FLO, all offThe no-flow condition persisted and everything has been shut off.Check first
  • Clean the filter, or replace it if it is worn.
  • Check the water level and top it up to the line in your manual.
  • Open any closed valves and jets.
  • Purge an air lock the way your owner's manual describes.

Call if it returns after the checks.

CFLOPanel: No Flow conditionA no-flow condition.Check first
  • Clean the filter, or replace it if it is worn.
  • Check the water level and top it up to the line in your manual.
  • Open any closed valves and jets.
  • Purge an air lock the way your owner's manual describes.

Call if it persists.

FLCPanel: The pressure switch is closedThe pressure switch reads closed when it should not.Technician

Call for service.

OHPanel: Spa temperature is too highThe spa water is too hot.Stay out
  • Stay out of the water.
  • Take the cover off so the water can cool.

Call if it returns once the water cools.

PrPanel: Temp probes or detection circuit are defectiveOn this keypad, Pr is a probe fault, not priming.Technician

Call for service.

AOHPanel: Elevated internal temperatureThe control's internal temperature is high.Technician

Call if it persists.

HRPanel: A hardware error was detected (relay stuck)A relay appears stuck.Stay out
  • Stay out of the water.

Call for service.

HrPanel: Hardware error was detected (thermal fuse)A thermal fuse fault.Technician

Call for service.

UPLPanel: The spa pack does not have valid softwareNo valid software on the pack.Technician

A technician reprograms it.

What do the codes on an older Bullfrog mean?

Bullfrog's 2014 manual carries Balboa's pages for its BP-based packs, with M0xx message codes such as M026 for sensors out of sync. The common ones are below; the rest are on the Balboa error codes page. Check the manual that came with your tub, since the equipment changed between years.

Balboa message codes that apply to Bullfrog's Balboa-equipped models (selected)

7 codes
Balboa message codes that apply to Bullfrog's Balboa-equipped models (selected)
CodeWhat it meansWhat to do
M016Also: HFLPanel: The water flow is lowNot enough water is moving through the heater to carry the heat away. The heater waits about a minute and tries again.Check first
  • Check the water level and top it up to the line in your manual.
  • Clean the filter, or replace it if it is worn.
  • Open any closed valves and jets.
  • Purge an air lock the way your owner's manual describes.

Call if it keeps coming back after the checks.

M017Also: LFPanel: The water flow has failedFlow through the heater stayed too low and the heater has been switched off. It stays off until you clear the message.Check first
  • Check the water level and top it up to the line in your manual.
  • Clean the filter, or replace it if it is worn.
  • Open any closed valves and jets.
  • Purge an air lock the way your owner's manual describes.
  • Clear the message on the panel once the cause is fixed.

Call if it returns after the checks and one reset.

M019Panel: Priming modeNormal at every power-up. For 4 minutes you can run each pump to push air out; the heater stays off until priming mode ends.Normal

Nothing to do: this is the spa working as designed.

M027Panel: The heater is dryThere is not enough water in the heater to start it, so the spa is shut down until the message is cleared.Check first
  • Check the water level and top it up to the line in your manual.
  • Clean the filter, or replace it if it is worn.
  • Open any closed valves and jets.
  • Purge an air lock the way your owner's manual describes.
  • Clear the message on the panel once the cause is fixed.

Call if it comes back after the checks.

M028Also: drPanel: The heater may be dryThe heater may be dry or short of water. The spa shuts down for 15 minutes, then tries again.Check first
  • Check the water level and top it up to the line in your manual.
  • Clean the filter, or replace it if it is worn.
  • Open any closed valves and jets.
  • Purge an air lock the way your owner's manual describes.

Call if it repeats after the checks.

M029Also: OHSPanel: The water is too hotA sensor read 110°F (43.3°C) in the spa water and spa functions stop. It resets on its own below 108°F (42.2°C). Long pump runs or hot weather can cause it.Stay out
  • Stay out of the water.
  • Take the cover off so the water can cool.

Call if it does not reset once the water cools, or keeps happening.

M030Also: OHHPanel: The heater is too hotA sensor read 118°F (47.8°C) inside the heater and the spa shut down. It can be cleared only once the water is below 108°F (42.2°C).Stay out
  • Stay out of the water.
  • Take the cover off so the water can cool.
  • Clean the filter, or replace it if it is worn.
  • Check the water level and top it up to the line in your manual.
  • Open any closed valves and jets.

Call if it happens again after one reset.

Common questions

What does dr mean on a Bullfrog hot tub?

On Balboa equipment, which Bullfrog's 2014 manual covers, dr is the heater-may-be-dry message (M028): not enough water in it to start. The spa shuts down for 15 minutes and tries again. Check the water level and the filter, and look for trapped air.

What does Pr mean on a Bullfrog spa?

It depends on the equipment. In the 2026 A Series list (Gecko's), Pr means the temperature probes or their circuit are defective, which needs a dealer. Balboa's nearest message is priming mode (M019), which some Balboa panels show as Pr.

Why is the light on my Bullfrog flashing?

On an A Series, a slow fade means a reminder such as a filter or water change. Three quick flashes mean a warning or error, such as low heater flow, a high-limit or probe error, or a freeze or overheat. Read the main control and contact your Bullfrog retailer.

What does “heater is dry” mean on a Bullfrog?

The heater has too little water to start and the spa is shut down. On Balboa systems it follows repeated may-be-dry messages and stays until you clear it. Fix the water level, filter or air lock first.

Sources

4
  1. Bullfrog Spas A Series owner's manual, 2026 (v1.9) bullfrogspas.com · checked October 2026
  2. Gecko in.k1000 techbook, error messages geckoalliance.com · checked October 2026
  3. Balboa TP400/TP600 user guide (40940_N), panel messages balboawater.com · checked October 2026
  4. Bullfrog Spas owner's manual, 2014 bullfrogspas.com · checked October 2026

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