Hayward OmniLogic Error Codes And Alarm Reference
Quick Summary
- The OmniLogic uses screen color to signal severity: yellow = warning/caution, red = critical fault. Normal operation shows the default blue/gray screen.
- Alarms appear in the ALARM section of the Favorites menu. Access them immediately — some alarms (like ORP timeout) shut down chlorination until manually cleared.
- pH alarm range: Low = 6.9 or below, High = 8.1 or above (factory fixed).
- ORP alarm range: Low = 350 mV or below (chlorinator shuts down), High = 850 mV or above (chlorinator shuts down).
- Flow monitoring error: If no flow is detected for 15–20 minutes after the pump starts, the pump shuts down and an error is logged — clears automatically at next pump start.
How OmniLogic Alerts Work
The OmniLogic uses two systems to communicate faults: on-screen alarm messages (accessed via the ALARM button in Favorites) and screen color changes (if screen color alerts are enabled in configuration). Yellow indicates a warning that does not prevent operation, while red indicates a critical fault that requires attention before normal operation resumes.
Alarms for ORP and pH are enabled automatically once the HL-CHEM chemistry sensing module is configured. Other alarms such as flow errors and sensor faults are system-level and are always active. All active alarms can be viewed in the Alarm section of the Favorites screen on the OmniLogic touchscreen or in the Hayward app.
Screen Color Alerts Reference
| Screen Color | Meaning | Typical Cause |
|---|---|---|
| Blue/Gray (normal) | Normal operation, no active alarms | N/A |
| Yellow | Warning condition — system may continue operating | pH or ORP out of range, sensor warning, low salt level |
| Red | Critical fault — action required, some functions may be suspended | ORP or pH timeout, no flow detected, sensor failure, ORP or pH alarm limit exceeded |
ORP And pH Alarm Reference (HL-CHEM Required)
| Alarm | Threshold | System Response | First Step |
|---|---|---|---|
| ORP Low | 350 mV or below | Chlorinator runs at maximum, display alarm | Test free chlorine manually; check salt level (target 2700–3400 PPM); inspect TurboCell for scale |
| ORP High | 850 mV or above | Chlorinator output shuts off | Verify ORP probe is clean and calibrated; check if combined chlorine is high (shock if >0.5 ppm) |
| ORP Timeout | Chlorinator ran continuously beyond timeout setting (default 47 hours) | ORP control shuts down; alarm persists until manually cleared | Clear alarm via the Alarm screen (+/reset); balance water chemistry; clean ORP probe; check for ORP probe error |
| pH Low | 6.9 or below (factory fixed) | Display alarm; pH dispenser may shut off | Test pH manually from the flow cell sample port; add soda ash if pH is confirmed low; clean pH probe |
| pH High | 8.1 or above (factory fixed) | Display alarm; pH dispenser (acid or CO2) should be activating | Verify CO2 tank is not empty or acid reservoir is not empty; check dispenser operation; test pH from flow cell |
| pH Timeout | pH dispenser ran continuously beyond timeout (range: 1–120 minutes, default 60 minutes) | pH control shuts down; alarm persists until cleared | Clear alarm; check dispenser for malfunction; clean pH probe; verify probe calibration |
| pH Calibration Error | Calibration offset exceeds allowable range | Display alarm | Clean pH probe per cleaning procedure; recalibrate using fresh test water from the flow cell sample port |
| ORP Probe Error / pH Probe Error | Probe not detected or signal out of range | Chemistry control suspended | Verify probe is plugged into correct BNC port; clean connector; replace probe if error persists (GLX-PROBE-ORP or GLX-PROBE-PH) |
Flow, Pump, And Sensor Alarms
| Alarm / Message | Meaning | First Step |
|---|---|---|
| No Flow / Flow Error | Flow switch did not close within 15–20 minutes of pump start (flow monitoring enabled) | Check flow switch wiring and orientation (arrow must point in direction of flow); verify 12-inch straight pipe upstream; check for air lock or valve closed upstream |
| Water Sensor Error | Pool/spa water temperature sensor reading open, shorted, or out of range | Measure sensor resistance (should be ~10K ohms at room temperature); check hose clamp seal; replace sensor if resistance is OL or near zero |
| Air Sensor Error | Air temperature sensor reading open, shorted, or out of range | Measure sensor resistance; verify sensor is not in direct sunlight; replace if failed |
| Freeze Protection Active | Air temperature dropped below freeze threshold (default 38°F / 3°C) | Normal operation during cold weather. Verify air sensor is reading correctly if this activates in mild temperatures |
| Chlorinator / Cell Warning | TurboCell is not generating at rated output, or salt level is out of range | Test salt level (target 2700–3400 PPM; 3200 ideal); inspect cell for calcium scale; verify flow switch is closing when pump runs |
Chemistry Target Values For Reference
When diagnosing chemistry-related alarms, use these APSP-recommended targets from the OmniLogic installation manual:
- Salt: 2,700–3,400 PPM (3,200 PPM optimal; 3,600+ PPM — dilute; above 3,400 PPM may stop chlorination)
- Free Chlorine: 1.0–3.0 PPM
- pH: 7.2–7.8 (alarm at 6.9 low, 8.1 high)
- ORP: Default setpoint 650 mV; adjustable 400–900 mV in 5 mV increments; alarm at 350 mV low, 850 mV high
- Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer): 30–50 PPM
- Total Alkalinity: 80–120 PPM
- Calcium Hardness: 200–400 PPM
- Saturation Index: -0.2 to +0.2 (0 ideal)
Frequently Asked Questions
The ORP timeout alarm keeps coming back every few days even after I clear it. What is causing this?
A recurring ORP timeout means the chlorinator is running continuously trying to reach the ORP setpoint but cannot get there. Common causes: ORP probe is fouled and reading low (clean the probe), salt is depleted and the cell cannot produce enough chlorine, the ORP setpoint is set too high for current water conditions, or there is high combined chlorine (shock the pool). After correcting the cause, adjust the ORP setpoint per the commissioning procedure: balance the water, note what ORP the system reads when chlorine is ideal, and set the setpoint to that value.
The screen turned red but I can't find any alarm in the Favorites menu. What should I check?
Navigate to the Alarm button in Favorites — if no alarm appears there, the screen color change may have been triggered by a condition that resolved before you arrived (for example, a brief flow error that cleared when the pump primed). Check the system info and diagnostics pages for any logged events. If the red screen persists with no alarm visible, consider a firmware update — this has been reported as a display bug in older firmware versions.
What is the salt level at which the OmniLogic stops chlorination?
A high salt level can cause the OmniLogic to stop chlorinating. The standard operating range is 2,700–3,400 PPM, with 3,200 PPM optimal. Levels at 3,600 PPM or above require dilution. The manual also lists a "Low Salt" mode (1,200–1,800 PPM) for specific installations — if the system was configured in Low Salt mode, the thresholds shift accordingly. Always test salt with a proper meter or test kit, not just by relying on the OmniLogic's salt reading.
How do I clear a pH or ORP timeout alarm on the OmniLogic?
Navigate to the Alarm button in Favorites. Find the pH Timeout or ORP Timeout alarm entry. Press the + button or the reset option to clear the alarm. The system will return to automatic pH or ORP control after clearing. Address the underlying cause first — clearing the alarm without fixing the root problem will result in the timeout triggering again.