Goodman GMVC960803BN Error Code E11: Rollout Switch Open

What Does Code E11 Mean?

The rollout switch is a manual-reset thermal safety device mounted at the mouth of the burner box on the Goodman GMVC960803BN. Its only job is to detect flames escaping, or rolling out, from where combustion is supposed to stay contained. When that happens the switch opens, the Integrated Control Module shuts the furnace down, and the 7-segment display reads E11. Flame rollout means combustion is not being drawn cleanly into the heat exchanger, which can push flames and carbon monoxide into the cabinet and the surrounding space.

The manual listed causes are gas pressure that is too high, burners that are misaligned in the burner rack, and a restricted heat exchanger or blocked venting. Excess gas pressure produces oversized flames that spill out of the burner ports. Misaligned burners aim the flame toward the rollout sensor instead of into the heat exchanger. A restricted or cracked heat exchanger or a blocked flue chokes the exhaust path, so combustion products and flame back up out of the burner openings. Any of these can also crack the heat exchanger over time, which is why E11 is treated as safety-critical.

Unlike the overheat limits behind EE3 and EEd, the rollout switch does not reset itself when it cools. That is deliberate: the underlying cause must be found and corrected before the furnace runs again. Do not press or bypass the reset button. Turn the furnace off at the thermostat and shut off the gas, and leave diagnosis of the burners, heat exchanger, venting, and gas pressure to a qualified technician.

What You'll Notice

• A smell of burning, hot metal, or exhaust near the furnace, sometimes with soot or scorch marks around the burner area
• E11 shown on the 7-segment LED display and the furnace refusing to run
• The furnace short-cycles or shuts down shortly after the burners light
• The rollout switch has tripped and will not reset, or trips again immediately
• A carbon-monoxide alarm sounds, or occupants feel headaches, dizziness, or nausea

Common Causes

How This Is Diagnosed

A technician approaches E11 as a combustion-safety investigation, not a simple reset. They inspect the burners for alignment and correct flame appearance, examine the heat exchanger for cracks or restriction, and check the flue and combustion-air piping for blockage that would push flame back out of the burner box. They measure manifold gas pressure against the rating plate with a manometer and correct any overpressure. Only after the root cause is found and fixed, and the heat exchanger is verified intact, do they reset the manual rollout switch and confirm clean, contained combustion.

When to Call a Professional

This code involves components that are not homeowner-serviceable, so have a licensed HVAC technician diagnose and repair it. Keep in mind:

• E11 is present and the rollout switch has tripped — do not reset it until a technician has found and corrected the cause of the rollout
• There is any smell of gas or exhaust, visible soot or scorching, or a carbon-monoxide alarm — leave the home and call your gas company or 911 first
• Gas pressure is suspected to be too high, which must be measured and adjusted by a technician with a manometer
• The heat exchanger or flue may be cracked or restricted, which requires immediate professional inspection
• The switch resets but trips again on the next cycle

✓ Verified against manufacturer service manual — March 2026