Blinking Red Light-Hetare Shut Down
I have State Residential 75 Gallon-Gas Hot Water Heater Model PR675NRVET that occasionally shuts down (no hot water). When I check the heater, the control box (thermosat) has a "blinking" red light (a fault?). When I see the blinking red light, I can unplug (120 VAC plug) the water heater's control panel, then plug it back in which resets the fault... the blinking red light goes away and the combustion fan starts and I get hot water. This happens occasionlly but never happened before... the water heater is about 12 years old.
Is there a reason for this shut down/fault/red blinking light? Is there something I can do to solve?

Thanks in advance.

I've been having the same problem. I found I can just flip the power dongle sticking out the side instead of unplugging it to reset it. This other thread suggests the heater doesn't think the flame is kicking on (even though I know it is):
If it thinks the flame didn't light, it shuts down the gas. Makes a lot of sense. It will try a couple times then give up and give me the blinking red light. Flashing red light.

The suggestion was to clean off dust and potential rust from all the components. Going to try it tonight.