Pr and Prr on a hot tub panel
Short answer
Pr usually means priming mode: for 4 to 5 minutes after power-up the spa lets you run each pump to push air out, with the heater off. On Gecko packs, Prr (and Pr on Gecko's in.k1000 keypad) means a temperature probe fault instead, which needs a technician.
What you can check yourself
- Check the water level and top it up to the line in your manual.
- Purge an air lock the way your owner's manual describes.
What happens in priming mode?
The control holds the heater off and lets you run the pumps by hand. A pump full of air after a refill moves no water, and a heater with no water across it trips a dry or flow code, so priming comes first. Balboa runs it for 4 minutes at every power-up; you can end it early with a temperature button. Some panels spell it out as RUN PMPS PURG AIR instead of Pr.
See how to start up a hot tub after filling and the dr code, which trapped air can set off.
Every priming message, system by system
9 codes
| Code | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| M019Balboa, M codes | Panel: 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. |
| PrrGecko Y series, in.xe | A problem with the regulation (temperature) probe. | Technician Call for service. |
| PrGecko in.k1000 | Panel: Temp probes or detection circuit are defectiveOn this keypad, Pr is a probe fault, not priming. | Technician Call for service. |
| PrrGecko MSPA, SSPA | A fault with the temperature regulation probe. From 1998 on, the pack ignores it for an hour while the water warms past 34°F (1°C). | Technician Call for service. |
| PrhGecko MSPA, SSPA | A fault with the high-limit sensor on the heater. | Technician Call for service. |
| PRRHot Spring FreeFlow | A temperature probe problem. | Technician Call your dealer. |
| Code 19Jacuzzi 2025 on | Panel: Priming modePriming mode is clearing air from the plumbing. | Normal Nothing to do: this is the spa working as designed. |
| PrAlso: RUN PMPS PURG AIRVita Spa 2026 | Panel: Priming modeNormal priming mode after power-up. | Normal Nothing to do: this is the spa working as designed. |
| PrrNordic, Gecko era | A temperature probe problem. | Technician Call your dealer. |
What does Prr mean?
A fault in the probe that regulates the water temperature. Gecko's guide says the pack keeps checking that the probe's readings stay within normal limits and shows Prr when they do not. On older MSPA packs, Prh is the same kind of fault in the high-limit sensor instead. Hot Spring's FreeFlow manual prints it in capitals as PRR.
Probe checks and replacement happen inside the equipment bay. Turn off power and call a technician. See sensor codes for the other temperature faults.
Common questions
What does Pr mean on a hot tub?
On Balboa-style panels (Nordic, Artesian and Vita Spa manuals among them) Pr is priming mode, shown after every power-up. On Gecko's in.k1000 keypad, Pr means the temperature probes or their circuit are defective.
How long does priming mode last?
Balboa's guide says 4 minutes, and any temperature button ends it early. Nordic's 2024 manual says under 5 minutes; Artesian's South Seas manual says 5. The heater stays off until it ends.
How do I prime a hot tub pump?
During priming mode, press each Jets button and watch for steady water from the jets. Artesian's manual says turning a pump off and on can help, but not more than 5 times; if it still will not prime, turn off the power and call for service.
What does Prr mean on a hot tub?
A problem with the temperature regulation probe on a Gecko pack. On MSPA packs built from 1998 on, the pack ignores it for an hour to let the water warm past 34°F. If it stays, call a technician.
Sources
10
- Balboa TP400/TP600 user guide (40940_N), panel messages
- Gecko troubleshooting guide, Y series and in.xe (9919-101313-D)
- Gecko in.k1000 techbook, error messages
- Gecko MSPA-1-AX spa pack service manual
- Hot Spring FreeFlow Collection owner's manual, 2026
- Jacuzzi J5 owner's manual (rev A)
- Vita Spa owner's manual, 2026
- Nordic Hot Tubs manual with Gecko equipment, 1999 to 2008
- Nordic Hot Tubs owner's manual, January 2024
- Artesian Spas South Seas Spas owner's manual
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