Lennox EL296UHV Error Code E 207: Hot Surface Ignitor Sensed Open
What Does Code E 207 Mean?
The Lennox EL296UHV lights its burners with a hot surface ignitor, a ceramic element that glows red-hot when energized. The SureLight control checks the ignitor's electrical continuity before each ignition attempt. Error E207 means that check found an open circuit — the element cannot conduct current and therefore cannot glow.
Hot surface ignitors are brittle and wear out with repeated heating and cooling cycles. Over time the element can crack or the internal path can break, and it can also be damaged by physical contact during service. Once the circuit is open, the control has no way to make it glow, so it will not proceed to open the gas valve.
Because the control refuses to release gas without a working ignitor, E207 results in no ignition and no heat rather than an unsafe condition. This is the control protecting the furnace: it will not attempt to light gas it cannot ignite.
E207 is one of several ignition-side faults on this board. It relates to E290, an ignitor-circuit fault, and to E270, the ignition-failure lockout that occurs when repeated attempts fail. E207 is more specific than those: it identifies the ignitor itself as electrically open rather than reporting a general ignition failure.
What You'll Notice
- The seven-segment display shows E 207
- The furnace does not produce heat
- The ignitor never glows when the furnace tries to start
- The inducer may run but the burners never light
- The code often appears suddenly after the furnace had been working normally
Common Causes
| Cause | Likelihood | DIY? |
|---|---|---|
| Cracked or burned out hot surface ignitor | Most common | ✗ Call a pro → |
How This Is Diagnosed
A technician measures the ignitor's electrical resistance and compares it against the range specified for this model. An open reading, or one far outside specification, confirms the element has failed and cannot conduct the current needed to glow.
Before replacing the part, the technician inspects the ignitor leads and connector for a broken wire or loose terminal that could read as open, since a wiring fault can imitate a failed ignitor. Once the ignitor itself is confirmed open, it is replaced with the correct part for the EL296UHV and the ignition sequence is verified.
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:
- The furnace is not heating and displays E207
- The ignitor does not glow at all when the furnace attempts to start
- E207 appeared suddenly after the furnace had been working fine
- E290 (ignitor circuit fault) or E270 (ignition-failure lockout) also appear
Frequently Asked Questions
Does E207 mean my furnace is unsafe?
It means the furnace will not light rather than that it is running unsafely. The control will not release gas without a working ignitor, so E207 leaves you without heat instead of creating a hazard.
Why did the ignitor fail so suddenly?
Hot surface ignitors are brittle ceramic elements that degrade with each heat-and-cool cycle. They often work right up until the element finally cracks, which is why the failure can seem abrupt.
How is E207 different from an ignition-failure lockout?
E207 specifically identifies the ignitor as electrically open before it even tries to light. E270 is the lockout that follows repeated failed ignition attempts, which can have other causes such as fuel or flame-sensing problems.
✓ Verified against manufacturer service manual — March 2026