You walk past your irrigation controller and notice something you haven’t seen before: an error message, warning, or unfamiliar code on the display. Your sprinklers may still be running normally—or one part of the system may suddenly have stopped working.
The message itself can seem cryptic, but it may be giving you useful information about what is happening elsewhere in your irrigation system. The important first step isn’t necessarily figuring out exactly what every letter or number means. It’s preserving that information and finding out what part of the system is affected.
First, Don’t Clear the Message Yet
When an unfamiliar warning appears, it’s tempting to start pressing buttons until it goes away. Before doing that, take a moment to record what the controller is telling you.
Take a photo of the display or write down the exact error message. If the message mentions a station or zone number, record that too. Then take note of what the irrigation system was doing when the error appeared.
- Did one particular zone stop working?
- Is the entire system affected?
- Did the message appear after a power outage or storm?
- Is there water running where it shouldn’t be?
- Is the controller working normally while only the app is having trouble?
Save the Error Before You Troubleshoot
You don’t need to understand an error code before asking for help. A photo of the message, the affected zone number, and a description of what the system was doing can all provide useful clues when diagnosing the problem.
What Is Your Irrigation Controller Actually Telling You?
An error message is often better thought of as a diagnostic clue rather than a final diagnosis.
For example, Hunter describes a numbered ERR message on its Pro-C controllers as a diagnostic message that appears when the controller detects a fault associated with that irrigation zone. The eventual cause may be a wiring problem, a connection, a valve solenoid, or another component—not necessarily the controller itself.
That distinction matters. The controller is where you see the warning, but the problem it detected may be somewhere else in the irrigation system.
A Zone or Station Error
If the error is associated with one particular zone and that zone is no longer operating correctly, the controller may be detecting an electrical problem involving the wiring, valve, solenoid, or connections serving that part of the system.
If one section of your irrigation system has stopped working, you may also want to read our guide to deciding whether you can continue using the rest of the system when one zone isn’t working.
A Power or Controller Problem
A blank display, repeated loss of settings, unexpected restarts, or a controller that no longer operates the irrigation system normally may point toward a power issue or a problem involving the controller itself.
If a controller is hardwired rather than plugged into an outlet, avoid opening electrical components or disconnecting wiring simply to troubleshoot the problem.
A Sensor or System Alert
Controllers can also receive information from rain sensors, flow monitoring equipment, and other connected components. Depending on the controller and equipment installed, an alert may be related to one of those devices rather than a failure of the controller.
Is This an Irrigation Problem or an App Problem?
Smart irrigation controllers add another layer to troubleshooting because there can be a difference between a problem with the irrigation system and a problem communicating with the controller through Hydrawise.
A useful first question is:
Can you operate the irrigation system normally from the controller itself?
If the controller can still operate the zones normally but Hydrawise is showing an offline message, failing to connect, or behaving unexpectedly, the irrigation equipment itself may be fine. Wi-Fi signal strength, router settings, internet connectivity, passwords, or the connection between the controller and Hydrawise can all affect remote access.
Those types of software and connectivity problems are generally better handled through Hunter’s Hydrawise support resources rather than as an irrigation repair.
On the other hand, if the physical controller is reporting a fault and a zone, valve, pump, or another part of the irrigation system is no longer working properly, an irrigation technician can investigate what the controller is detecting.
What Can You Check Yourself?
You don’t need to start taking the controller or irrigation system apart to gather useful information. A few simple observations can help narrow down what kind of problem you have.
- Record the exact error. Take a photo before clearing or changing anything.
- See what still works. Determine whether the entire system is affected or only one zone.
- Look around the property. Check for an obvious leak, a sprinkler zone that isn’t running, or water flowing when it shouldn’t.
- Check for a simple power problem. If the controller plugs into an outlet, make sure it still has power. Avoid electrical troubleshooting beyond what you can safely observe.
- Check the manufacturer’s information. If you have a Hunter controller, the exact message may be listed in Hunter’s support documentation.
The goal at this stage isn’t necessarily to repair the problem yourself. It’s to determine whether you’re looking at a temporary communication issue, an app problem, or a warning associated with the irrigation system.
What Should You Do Next?
| What You’re Seeing | What It May Indicate | What to Do Next |
|---|---|---|
| Error tied to one zone | Possible wiring, connection, valve, or solenoid problem | Record the error and avoid repeatedly running the affected zone until the problem is identified |
| Hydrawise shows the controller offline | Wi-Fi, router, internet, or controller connectivity issue | Check Hunter’s Hydrawise connection support if the irrigation system still operates locally |
| Error returns after the controller restarts | An underlying fault may still be present | Save the message and have the cause investigated rather than repeatedly clearing it |
| Controller works, but one zone does not | Problem may be elsewhere in the irrigation system | Have the affected zone, wiring, valve, and related components checked |
| Controller will not operate the system normally | Power, controller, wiring, or system problem | Schedule an irrigation system diagnosis if basic checks do not reveal the cause |
| Error appears along with a visible leak | The warning may be accompanied by a separate irrigation failure | Stop or limit watering as appropriate and address the leak |
Should You Reset the Irrigation Controller?
Restarting a controller and performing a factory reset are not the same thing.
For Hydrawise controllers, Hunter recommends a power cycle as the preferred way to restart a controller that is behaving unexpectedly or reporting errors. A factory reset is a more significant step that removes information stored in the controller, including programs, Wi-Fi settings, delays, and sensor configuration before the controller is reconnected and its information restored.
For that reason, a factory reset generally shouldn’t be the first thing you try simply because an unfamiliar message appears.
Record the error first. If you decide to restart or reset the controller, follow the instructions for your specific controller model rather than experimenting with settings until the message disappears.
When Should You Call for Irrigation Repair?
An occasional communication warning may not require an irrigation service call. A recurring error accompanied by a physical problem with the system deserves more attention.
Consider having the irrigation system diagnosed when:
- The same error keeps returning
- One or more zones will not operate
- A valve appears to be stuck on or off
- The controller reports an error while the system is leaking
- The controller repeatedly loses power or programming
- The system will not operate normally from the controller
- You have recorded the error but cannot determine what part of the irrigation system is causing it
If an error appears along with a visible leak, don’t focus so much on decoding the controller that you overlook the physical problem. Our guide on whether to keep running an irrigation system with a leak can help you decide what to do next.
Your Controller Shows an Error — What Now?
Save the error and see what still works. Determine whether you’re dealing with an irrigation problem or a connectivity problem. Then check the manufacturer’s guidance or get help if the problem continues.
Common Questions About Irrigation Controller Errors
Does an error message mean I need a new irrigation controller?
No. An error message can point toward problems elsewhere in the system, including wiring, connections, valves, solenoids, sensors, or other components. The cause should be diagnosed before assuming the controller needs to be replaced.
Can I keep running my irrigation system if the controller shows an error?
It depends on what the error is affecting. If one zone is reporting a fault, repeatedly trying to operate that zone may not be useful. If the warning is only related to Hydrawise connectivity and the controller is otherwise operating normally, the irrigation system may still be able to run its programmed schedule.
Should I factory-reset my controller to clear an error?
Usually not as a first step. Save the error message first and consult the instructions for your particular controller. A factory reset can remove locally stored settings and configuration information.
What if Hydrawise isn’t working but my sprinklers are?
If the irrigation system operates normally from the physical controller but the Hydrawise app cannot connect or behaves unexpectedly, start with Hunter’s Hydrawise support resources. The problem may involve Wi-Fi, your network, or the connection to the Hydrawise service rather than the irrigation system itself.
Still Not Sure What Your Controller Is Trying to Tell You?
If an error keeps returning or your irrigation system is no longer working the way it should, Belmont Irrigation can help determine whether the problem is coming from a valve, wiring, controller, or another part of the system. Save the error message if you can—it may give us a useful place to start.