BoilerFaultCodesThe 6 most common faults
Your boiler has stopped working because water is not moving through the system properly or the pressure is too low.
Why it happens: This fault occurs when the boiler's internal sensors detect that water isn't moving through the unit quickly enough to safely carry heat away from the burner. The most common reasons are a failed internal pump, a build-up of debris causing a blockage in the pipework, or air trapped within the system. It can also be triggered if the system pressure has dropped too low for the pump to operate effectively.
Check that the boiler pressure gauge is between 1 and 1.5 barIf the pressure is low, use the filling loop to top it upEnsure all radiator valves and boiler isolation valves are fully openReset the boiler once the pressure is corrected
Your heat pump has stopped working because water isn't flowing through the outdoor unit properly, and it has failed to start ten times in a row.
Why it happens: This fault occurs when the system detects that there isn't enough water moving through the outdoor unit to safely transfer heat into your home. The most common reasons are a blockage in the pipework, air trapped in the system, or a circulation pump that has seized up. Because the unit has failed to start ten times, it has locked itself out to prevent the internal components from overheating or freezing.
Check that all radiator valves are fully openEnsure the system pressure gauge is between 1.0 and 1.5 barLook for any external valves on the pipework that might be closedClear any debris or blockages from around the outdoor unit fans
Your heating system has shut down because it is struggling to circulate water properly while detecting very cold temperatures within the unit.
Why it happens: This fault occurs when the boiler detects that water is not moving through the system quickly enough to carry heat away, combined with an internal temperature that is dangerously close to freezing. The most common reason is a blockage in the pipework or a failing pump that prevents the water from circulating. Because the water is sitting still in freezing conditions, the boiler shuts down to prevent the internal pipes from cracking due to ice expansion.
Check that all radiator valves are fully openEnsure the system pressure is between 1 and 1.5 barCheck for any frozen external condensate or heat pump pipes
Your boiler has detected that the water pressure is too low for it to operate safely, which usually means the system needs more water.
Why it happens: This fault occurs when the internal sensor detects that the system's water pressure has dropped below the minimum level required to circulate heat safely. The most common reasons are a slow leak in the radiator valves or pipework, or simply needing to top up the water levels after bleeding your radiators.
Locate the metal braided filling loop underneath or near the boilerOpen the valves slowly until you hear water flowing and the pressure gauge reaches 1.5 barClose both valves tightly and reset the boiler
Your heat pump has detected that the internal pressure is too high and has shut down to protect its internal components.
Why it happens: This fault occurs when the refrigerant pressure inside the heat pump exceeds safe working limits, causing the system to shut down to prevent damage. The most common reasons are a lack of water flow through the unit, often caused by a blocked filter, or a pump failing to move heat away from the system quickly enough.
Ensure all radiator valves and zone valves are fully open to allow water to flow.Check that your external heating filters (like a magnetic filter) are not blocked with debris.Restart the unit to see if the fault clears after checking the water flow.
Your heat pump has stopped working because its internal system is getting too hot, usually due to a lack of water flow or a refrigerant issue.
Why it happens: This fault occurs when the gas leaving the compressor becomes dangerously hot, which usually happens because heat isn't being moved away from the unit quickly enough. The most common cause is restricted water flow through the system due to a failing pump or a blockage, but it can also be triggered if the unit is leaking refrigerant.
Check that all radiator valves and zone valves are fully openEnsure the external unit is clear of leaves, debris, or snow blocking airflowCheck your system pressure gauge and top up to 1.5 bar if it is too low
on the Ideal HP290
Based on parts cited in our fault code database. Your engineer will confirm what's actually needed after diagnosis.
Call a Gas Safe engineer if…
- You can smell gas or see signs of a leak
- The Ideal shows an Emergency or High severity code
- The boiler keeps locking out after repeated resets
- You've tried the DIY checks and the fault hasn't cleared
- There's visible water leaking from the boiler
- The flame is yellow or orange instead of blue