BoilerFaultCodes
The most common Ideal faults
Your boiler has shut down because it thinks the water inside is getting too hot or is not moving through the system properly.
Why it happens: This fault occurs when the water inside the boiler exceeds a safe temperature limit or isn't circulating correctly. The most common reasons are a failed pump that can't move the water, a blockage caused by sludge in the system, or a faulty sensor giving an incorrect temperature reading.
Check that your radiator valves and any isolation valves are fully openEnsure your system pressure is topped up to between 1 and 1.5 barBleed your radiators to remove any trapped air and then reset the boiler
Your boiler has failed to light several times and has shut down for safety, meaning you currently have no heating or hot water.
Why it happens: This fault occurs when the boiler tries to ignite three times but fails to detect a stable flame, leading the system to shut down for safety. The most common reasons include a lack of gas supply to the unit, a blocked flue, or components inside the burner being too dirty or worn out to create a spark.
Check if your gas supply is active by testing another gas appliance like a hob.Check if your condensate pipe (the white plastic pipe outside) is frozen or blocked.Reset the boiler by turning the control knob to 'Reset' and holding for two seconds.
Your boiler has tried to start five times in a row but failed to keep the flame alight, causing it to shut down as a safety precaution.
Why it happens: This fault occurs when the boiler's internal computer detects that the flame has gone out or failed to light properly five times in quick succession. It is usually caused by a problem with the gas supply reaching the burner or a worn-out ignition component that can no longer create a reliable spark. To prevent a build-up of unburnt gas, the boiler permanently shuts down until the underlying mechanical issue is fixed.
Check if other gas appliances in your home, like a hob, are working to ensure gas is reaching the propertyCheck if your gas meter has creditPress the 'Reset' button and wait for the boiler to restart
Your boiler has stopped working because the electrical power coming into your home is at a lower voltage than it needs to operate safely.
Why it happens: This fault occurs when the electrical supply entering the boiler drops below 190 volts, which is too low for the internal components to function. While it is sometimes caused by a failing control board within the boiler, it most commonly originates from an issue with the National Grid supply or the electrical wiring leading to your home.
Check if other appliances in your home are acting strangely or lights are flickeringContact your electricity network provider to report a potential power supply issueOnce the external power issue is resolved, reset the boiler using the 'RE' dial or button
Your boiler has detected that water is heating up too quickly or not circulating properly, which usually means something is blocking the flow of water through the system.
Why it happens: This fault occurs when the boiler detects a rapid rise in temperature because heated water isn't moving away from the burner fast enough. The most common reasons are a pump failure, a blockage in the pipework, or an internal part that has become restricted with sludge and debris.
Check that all blue-handled isolation valves underneath the boiler are fully turned to the open positionEnsure all radiator valves (TRVs) are turned up to a high settingCheck your central heating filter for any obvious blockages if you have one installed
Your boiler has stopped working because the water pressure inside the system has dropped too low to operate safely.
Why it happens: This fault occurs when the internal water pressure drops below the minimum level required for the boiler to fire up safely. The most common reason is a small leak somewhere in your central heating pipework or radiators, though it can also happen if you have recently bled your radiators and haven't topped the pressure back up.
Locate the filling loop (usually a silver flexible hose) underneath your boiler.Slowly open the one or two taps/handles on the filling loop until you hear water flowing.Watch the pressure gauge and close the taps when the needle reaches between 1 and 1.5 bar.
Your boiler has started to light but the flame has gone out, which means the system has stopped providing heating and hot water for safety.
Why it happens: This fault occurs when the boiler successfully ignites but cannot sustain or detect the flame, causing the system to shut down for safety. The most common reasons include a carbon-coated sensing probe that can no longer 'see' the fire, or an inconsistent gas supply preventing a steady flame.
Check if other gas appliances, like a hob, are working to ensure gas is reaching the property.Check that your gas pre-payment meter (if you have one) has credit.Restart the boiler by pressing the 'RESET' button firmly for two seconds.
Your boiler has switched itself off because it got too hot, and it needs to cool down before it can be restarted.
Why it happens: This fault occurs when the water inside the boiler reaches an unsafe temperature, triggering a safety switch to shut everything down. The most common reasons are a failed pump that isn't moving water away from the boiler quickly enough or a blockage in the system pipework. It can also happen if the main control thermostat fails and allows the burner to stay on for too long.
Wait at least 15-20 minutes for the boiler to cool down naturally.Locate the manual reset button (marked E) on the control panel.Press the button firmly and attempt to relight the pilot light following the instructions on the boiler's flap.
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