Lennox EL296UHV Error Code E 290: Ignitor Circuit Fault
What Does Code E 290 Mean?
Error code E 290 on the Lennox EL296UHV is an ignitor circuit fault. When the SureLight integrated control commands the hot surface ignitor to energize, it expects a particular electrical response. If the ignitor element is open or drawing the wrong current, or the board circuitry that triggers the ignitor is not behaving as expected, the control posts E 290 rather than continuing to attempt ignition through a defective circuit. It enters a 1-hour soft lockout and then retries, clearing when a stable flame has been proven.
The most common cause is a failed hot surface ignitor — the element cracks or ages until it no longer conducts properly. Because the control watches the circuit electrically, it can catch a bad ignitor as a circuit fault (E 290) rather than simply failing to light and reporting an ignition failure. That is a useful distinction from E 270, the ignition-failure soft lockout, which is about no flame current being sensed across the retries regardless of why. E 290 points more directly at the ignitor and its wiring.
E 290 is also related to E 207, which the control posts when the hot surface ignitor is sensed as open. Both indicate the ignitor side of the system needs attention. Confirming the fault means measuring the ignitor's resistance against the specification and, if that is in range, examining the board's ignitor triggering circuitry — work that is done by a technician.
What You'll Notice
- No heat, with the seven-segment LED showing E 290
- The furnace is held off for about an hour before it tries again
- You do not see the ignitor glow when the furnace attempts to start
- The burners never light because the ignition source is not working
- The house keeps cooling even though the thermostat is calling for heat
Common Causes
| Cause | Likelihood | DIY? |
|---|---|---|
| Failed hot surface ignitor | Most common | ✗ Call a pro → |
How This Is Diagnosed
A technician measures the hot surface ignitor's resistance and compares it to the specification in the installation instructions; an open or out-of-spec reading identifies a failed ignitor, which is the most common cause of E 290. They also inspect the ignitor's leads and connector, since a broken wire or loose connection can produce the same circuit fault.
If the ignitor and its wiring are within spec but E 290 persists, the fault lies in the control board's ignitor triggering circuitry, which the technician would confirm before recommending board replacement.
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 ignitor does not glow when the furnace tries to start
- E 290 returns after each 1-hour lockout period
- The furnace also logs E 207 (hot surface ignitor sensed open)
- The ignitor tests within spec but the code keeps coming back, suggesting a board fault
- The house is losing heat and the furnace will not light at all
Frequently Asked Questions
Does E 290 always mean the ignitor is bad?
A failed hot surface ignitor is the most common cause, but the code can also come from a broken ignitor lead or a fault in the control board's triggering circuitry. A technician measures the ignitor's resistance to tell them apart.
How is E 290 different from E 270?
E 270 is an ignition-failure soft lockout — no flame current was sensed across the retries, for any reason. E 290 is specifically an ignitor circuit fault, where the control saw a wrong electrical response from the ignitor circuit itself.
Why does it stay off for an hour?
E 290 is a 1-hour soft lockout. After the hold the SureLight control retries, and the code clears only once a stable flame has been proven. If the ignitor is still bad it will simply relock.
✓ Verified against manufacturer service manual — March 2026