Payne PG96VTA Error Code 31: High-Heat Pressure Switch or HPSR Relay Did Not Close or Reopened
What Does Code 31 Mean?
Status code 31 on the Payne PG96VTA indicates that the high-heat pressure switch or the HPSR (High-Heat Pressure Switch Relay) failed to close on a call for high-heat, or opened during high-heat operation. This safety switch ensures that combustion gases are being properly vented when the furnace fires at its higher stage.
The pressure switch monitors the draft created by the inducer motor. When the inducer is running at high speed, it creates negative pressure (suction) that pulls combustion gases through the heat exchanger and out the vent. If the draft is insufficient — due to a blocked vent, failed inducer, or other issue — the pressure switch will not close and the furnace cannot fire.
Common causes include a blocked or restricted exhaust vent (ice, snow, debris, or bird nests at the outdoor termination), a plugged condensate drain backing up into the vent system, or a defective HPSR relay on the control board. The manual also references code 32, as these two pressure switch codes share many of the same root causes.
Common Causes
When to Call a Professional
Contact a licensed HVAC technician if:
- Code 31 persists after clearing the vent and condensate drain
- The inducer motor does not start or sounds unusually loud or weak
- You find sagging vent pipe that needs to be re-supported
- The pressure switch tubing is disconnected, cracked, or has water in it
- The HPSR relay on the control board may be defective
✓ Verified against manufacturer service manual — March 2026