Carrier Furnace Code 14 — Ignition Lockout
Code 14 on Carrier/Bryant furnaces is an ignition lockout — the control tried to light and either never saw flame or lost flame repeatedly. Do not keep resetting without checking the basics; repeated failed ignition can flood a gas heat exchanger with unburned fuel smell.
Updated July 2026 · 6 min read · Canada
Symptoms
- Furnace inducer and ignitor sequence, then lockout
- Status LED shows code 14 / ignition lockout
- Little or no heat after several attempts
Likely causes
- Dirty or oxidized flame sensor
- Weak hot-surface ignitor
- Low gas pressure or closed gas valve
- Poor grounding or control board flame-sense issue
What to do
1. One controlled power reset
Set the thermostat to Off, switch the furnace off for 60 seconds, restore power, and call for heat once. Do not hammer the reset if it fails again.
2. Confirm gas and filter basics
Verify the gas shutoff at the furnace is parallel with the pipe (open). Replace a severely clogged filter so the inducer and pressure switch can complete their sequence.
3. Inspect the flame sensor path (if accessible)
On many Carrier units the flame sensor is a thin rod near the burners. If you are comfortable and power is off, a light polish with fine emery cloth can clear oxide — otherwise leave this to a tech.
Stop and call a pro when
- You smell gas at any point
- Code 14 returns after one clean restart
- The ignitor does not glow or the burners light then immediately drop out
- You are uncomfortable working near gas appliances
Related guides
- Carrier Code 33 — What Carrier furnace error code 33 means, how to safely check airflow and the limit switch, and which parts or filters usually clear the fault.
- Carrier Code 13 — Carrier/Bryant code 13 is a limit lockout after repeated trips. Fix airflow first, then check filters or capacitors.
FAQ
Is Carrier code 14 the same as a dirty filter?
Not usually. Code 14 is flame proving / ignition. Filters more often drive limit codes (33/13), but a bad filter can still disrupt the startup sequence on some cabinets.
Can I keep resetting code 14?
No. Repeated ignition attempts without finding the cause is unsafe. One controlled restart, then call a licensed gas technician.
Need a licensed tech instead?
If the guide says to stop — or the part swap did not clear the fault — get free quotes from licensed local HVAC contractors.
Get matched with a pro