How Do I Reset My Boiler?

Nowadays, many of our modern appliances have design features that mean they ‘lockout’ if something becomes a risk to your safety or there is a fault. We understand the frustration of a boiler that’s not turning on, but if that’s the case it may be down to a fault or safety issue.

Whilst you may not be able to fix the fault yourself, it could be handy to know how to reset your boiler once the issue has been resolved. Knowing how to reset your boiler will help you to get your heating and hot water back on as soon as possible.

When would I need to reset my boiler?

Most modern boilers have the ability to detect certain issues and shut down if necessary as a safety feature. A boiler lockout could be caused by a number of things, including:

• A fault in the system. The boiler will show an error code on the display screen to help you identify what the problem is.
• Dangerous operating conditions that would make it unsafe for use, e.g. a bad supply of gas

To get your boiler back up and running you will first need to identify the fault and get it fixed – Ideally by a Gas Safe registered heating engineer. You will then need to reset the boiler.

If you are seeing an error code, you should be able to find the fault via your boiler manufacturer. This could make it easier to call out a professional heating engineer and get it fixed sooner rather than later.

Why has my boiler locked out?

Let’s take a look at a few of the possible reasons why your boiler might have locked out.

Water Pressure

Water pressure that is too high or too low could cause your boiler to lockout – It could even stop your boiler working altogether. Take a look at the pressure gauge on your boiler – It should be around 1 bar, but you can check your manufacturer manual for your specific boiler. Adjust the water pressure to the appropriate level and then reset the boiler – Hopefully that should fix the problem.

Failure to Ignite

If your boiler has tried to ignite unsuccessfully 3 times, then it’s common for the boiler to lockout. Possible reasons for this are inadequate gas pressure, or a blocked burner. In these instances, you’ll need to call a qualified heating engineer to come and have a look.

Blocked Heat Exchanger

Does your heating system ever sound like a kettle? Kettling can be a sign that there is a build-up of sludge, limescale or debris on the heat exchanger which then restricts the flow of water around your heating system. Call a Gas Safe registered engineer to come and fix the fault ready to reset your boiler.

Whilst you may be able to fix some minor issues yourself, if you’re not confident in what you are doing then always call the professionals. Here at Aura Heating, our team of friendly, local heating engineers are only a call away, and are highly qualified to fault-find and fix any boiler issues you may be experiencing.

How do I reset my boiler?

Check your boiler manufacturer manual to find out where the boiler reset button is – All boilers have one, but their location may differ between models.

Your manufacturer manual should also give you instructions on how to reset the boiler. Always follow the instructions for your specific boiler, and as always, if you’re at all unsure, leave it to a professional heating engineer.

Most boilers will follow the same general reset process:

• Once you’ve located the reset button, press it and hold it down for 10 seconds.
• Wait and watch for the boiler to ignite. This isn’t always immediate and could take a few minutes.
• It’s important not to press the button numerous times or you could find yourself with an expensive repair on your hands.
• If the boiler has successfully been reset, the flame will ignite. You should also find that the error code has disappeared from the display screen. You may also see that a red or orange light has been replaced with a green one.
• If the boiler hasn’t been successfully reset, then the next step is to call a Gas Safe registered heating engineer to locate the lingering fault.

I’ve reset my boiler but it’s still not turning on?

So you’ve called a heating engineer, you’ve had the fault repaired, tried to reset the boiler – But it’s not igniting. What next?

• Was there an error code? If there was originally an error code showing on the boiler display, then there may need to be further investigation than merely that one fault. Call a heating engineer to come and identify any other possible issues that could be preventing the boiler from working properly.
• If the original issue wasn’t to do with boiler pressure, then check it now. Have a look on the pressure gauge and make sure it’s not too high or too low. You should be seeing the gauge reading approximately 1 bar.
• Is your boiler getting power? Check that the power is getting to your boiler – You should be able to tell by the display screen being lit. If you have had a power cut, it’s quite common for the boiler to be locked out. Check your fuse box and try resetting again once you’re sure the power is on.

Why does my boiler constantly need resetting?

If your boiler is needing to be reset on a regular basis, there’s a good chance it’s indicative of an ongoing fault. This could be:

• A fault with the pump
• A leak somewhere in the system
• A blocked heat exchanger
• Part of the appliance itself needing replacement (possibly an electric component)

If you are regularly resetting your boiler but have made efforts to find and fix any faults, then it could be suggestive of the fact that your boiler has seen better days. You may need to consider replacing it and installing a new one.

For a free boiler quote, you can head to our website. Have your old boiler replaced with an efficient new boiler from leading manufacturers, including Worcester Bosch. Enjoy up to a 12 year guarantee and a quick and easy installation.