Modern boilers can be very efficient and reliable but this doesn’t mean that there will never be an issue with one. Sometimes you might need to reset the appliance so that you can get your hot water and heating back. A boiler will typically shut off when a fault develops, stopping it from working safely and effectively. Luckily we can offer advice about resetting a boiler and help you to arrange repairs.

People who have never reset one of these appliances before will likely be unfamiliar with how to do it. You can find some useful information about this topic below.

When you would do this

Boilers use a safety feature which will make them shut off if they detect a fault; this is referred to as a boiler lockout. Your machine can shut down for various reasons including too low or high pressure, a blockage in the heat exchanger, or ignition failure. Your appliance should display an error code that corresponds to the problem. You can check the meaning of these codes in the manufacturer’s manual.

You should address the fault before resetting a boiler. This will stop you from repeatedly needing to reset it, something which can be very damaging.

How to reset a boiler

You should first look for a fault code on the boiler display to see if you can fix it yourself. This may be as simple as adjusting the pressure. However, you should leave any complicated and potentially dangerous jobs to a professional. They will know what they are looking at and can deal with a range of problems in a safe way.

Steps to reset a boiler, as well as the location of the controls, differ depending on the appliance and model. Your boiler manual should include descriptive instructions about what to do. Many of them use a reset button which you will have to hold down for a few seconds.

A lot of modern boilers will run through a reset sequence so give it a few minutes and see if it fires up. You can call in an engineer if it doesn’t come back on.

Does it still shut off?

Sometimes people think that they have resolved the issue but their boiler will continue to shut off. This is likely because of an ongoing issue such as a leak in the system, a problem with the heat exchanger, or a broken pump. It is at times like this that you should contact a professional who is on the Gas Safe register.

A boiler which keeps shutting off might need replacing. This is often the wisest option for your money rather than trying to fix an appliance which is old, problematic, and not efficient.

Where to get help

You shouldn’t do anything if you are unsure or not confident enough. This includes resetting a boiler. Luckily there are countless Gas Safe engineers and plumbers across the UK for you to call on. Warm works to help make finding someone you can trust simple so get in touch today.