Balboa · VS / GS series (M7 heater)Stop using the tub

dry on a Balboa hot tub: heater is dry

The system has seen the dr warning three times and has shut the spa down to protect the heater. Do not run the tub until water flow is restored.

Also shown as: DRY, dY

Most likely causes

  1. 1Water level too lowmost likely
  2. 2Air lock in the pump or heatercommon
  3. 3Blocked filter or closed valvecommon
  4. 4Pump failureless common

What to try, in order

  1. Fill the tub to the correct level.
  2. Turn off power at the breaker, pull and clean the filter, and check that slice valves are open.
  3. Restore power and bleed any air lock by pulsing the pump between speeds.
  4. Once water is moving through the jets, press any button to reset the dry message.
  5. If no water moves or the code returns, turn the tub off at the breaker and call for service.

dry questions

Can a dry code damage my heater?

The code is there to prevent damage. A heater that actually fires with no water can burn out its element in seconds, so do not keep resetting it without fixing the flow.

What is the difference between dr and dry?

dr is a warning with an automatic retry after 15 minutes. dry means the warning happened three times and the spa stays off until you reset it by hand.

Related codes

Balboa -- · Temperature not yet knownBalboa CHEK PH · Maintenance reminderBalboa CLN FLTR · Filter reminderBalboa CNFG FAIL · Configuration errorBalboa dr · Heater may be dryBalboa Ecn · Economy modeBalboa FLO · Low water flowBalboa GFCI FAIL · GFCI test failed

General guidance. Follow your manufacturer's instructions; anything inside the control box is work for a licensed professional. Updated October 5, 2026.