High Lockout
A40 on Potterton Powermax HE

Your boiler is struggling to move water through the system properly, which is causing it to shut down to prevent overheating.

Call an engineer soon

Book a Gas Safe engineer within 24 to 48 hours. Your boiler may be unsafe or could break down completely if left.

Technical description

System response fault. Check pump operation and speed setting. Check 3-way valve operation. Purge air from H/E. Check by-pass and other water valves open. Check boiler control responds to flow & ret. sensors

What causes this fault?

This fault occurs when the boiler detects that water isn't circulating quickly enough to carry heat away from the burner, leading to a risk of internal damage. The most common reasons are a pump that has seized or slowed down, a blockage in the central heating pipes, or a diverter valve that is stuck and preventing water flow. Essentially, the boiler is 'choking' on its own heat and shuts down as a safety precaution.

This issue often surfaces in autumn when the heating is turned back on after a long summer break, as internal moving parts like the pump or valves can seize up from lack of use.

Engineer required

This is a high severity fault. Stop using the boiler and call a Gas Safe registered engineer. Do not attempt gas-related repairs yourself.

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