Your boiler isn't working. It's either because of a technical reason or karma from all those people you killed. We can help with the former.
Did you know that nearly 1.5 million households in the UK experience boiler issues every winter? As the cold season approaches, it’s crucial to ensure your boiler is in top shape to avoid being part of this statistic.
Whether you’re dealing with no heat, strange noises, or a complete breakdown, understanding the common causes and quick fixes can save you time, money, and a lot of headaches.
In this guide, we’ll explore the most common boiler problems and how to address them before they escalate.
If procrastination through article reading isn’t your thing…
Just get an instant quote for a new boiler here. We’ll have a local expert fit it potentially as quickly as tomorrow.
Key Points:
Common Boiler Issues: The article outlines frequent problems like loss of pressure, thermostat issues, frozen condensate pipes, and no pilot light.
Basic Troubleshooting: Steps include checking the thermostat settings, resetting the boiler, bleeding radiators, and inspecting the pressure gauge.
When to Call a Professional: If DIY fixes don’t work or for issues like gas leaks, it’s advised to contact a certified engineer.
Prevention Tips: Regular maintenance, servicing, and proper insulation are recommended to avoid future problems.
Boiler isn’t working- free fixes
When you discover your boiler isn’t working, it can be incredibly frustrating. And unless your boiler has formed a trade union and organised a strike, there’s probably a technical, and logical error.
Thankfully, there are some basic checks you can do to attempt to fix your boiler problems for free. In this guide, we will take you through some common boiler problems and troubleshooting steps, hopefully allowing you to fix your boiler online.
However, some problems require a professional, so if in doubt consult the assistance of a registered Gas Safe Engineer. They will be able to diagnose your boiler issues and repair them quickly and safely. And they’re lovely, but not lovely enough to help you for free.
So, in order to ward off those engineers for as long as possible here are (some surprisingly) common issues – which are free and easy to fix. Closely followed up by more sinister and costly reasons why your boiler isn’t working (that requires an engineer).
(Looking for a new boiler? Check out our summary of the best boiler brands).
Common broken boiler problems - free fixes
There are a variety of reasons why your boiler may not be working; common examples include the boiler pressure being too low or too high, unresolved childhood issues, a power cut, gas supply issues, a faulty pilot light, a frozen condensate pipe, faulty internal components or a more complex issue.
Simply wacking it with your hand won’t do much, but luckily we have some fixes that are just as easy.
Read our quick guide:
And if you're just curious to see how much a new boiler will cost complete this quick questionnaire to find out for free.
#1 - Check the boiler is switched on
An absurd and seemingly patronising statement at first, but, boiler installation companies up and down the UK are relentlessly earning call-out fees for customers who haven’t realised their boiler has been switched off – sometimes at the mains.
It can be human error, the first signs of robots taking over, or perhaps you switch off appliances whilst sleepwalking but one of the most common causes is power cuts.
Your boiler probably hasn't broken, so switch the bugger on. Feel free to brag about your handiness to your family afterwards.
Cost: Free
You may also be interested in our guide to DIY boiler checks you can do before you call a Gas Safe Engineer.
PS You may be interested in Gas Engineer Allen Hart explaining the most common boiler problems and how you can resolve them in the video below:
#2 - Have you paid your gas bill, or does the gas meter have credit?
Another silly reason at first glance but understandably common. People take boilers for granted and aren’t always acutely aware of the corresponding gas bill. Even people who love reading usually aren’t thrilled about the gas bill in the mail.
If you don't pay your energy bills, your boiler won't work. Simple.
Perhaps you upgraded to Netflix HD last month sending you tumbling beyond your overdraft. Or, it’s just the energy companies' fault. The scumbags.
Either way – do check. It’s not technically a free fix, but paying your gas bill saves you the money a technician would charge to tell you the same thing.
The good news is that a combi boiler is much cheaper than the likes of immersion heaters, so it's not all bad.
Curious to know which boiler brand performed worst? Find out in our report of the worst boilers.
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We’re proud to be Which? Trusted Traders with over 10,000 glowing reviews on Trustpilot. Check out our Reviews and Testimonials page and watch Adrian’s video testimonial below to see why so many trust us for their heating needs.
#3 - Boiler not working? Check for low pressure
Boilers will naturally lose pressure over time for a number of reasons, most of which are nothing to be concerned about. If your boiler's not working, and it's simply low on pressure, you'll be back up and running in no time.
Read how to breathe new life into a broken boiler that's losing pressure.
It’s super easy – one check and one tap turn.
Have you had a boiler quote yet? Use our calculator to get an instant new boiler quote.
How to check if your boiler's not working because of pressure issues
Glance at your boiler's pressure gauge – the clock-like feature staring at you like a cyclops from the front of your boiler. When the boilers are off, its arrow should point to the green zone – around 1 BAR. While just one bar is low for your mobile, it’s fine for your boiler.
Patrick Garner/Heatable
Your boiler pressure being too high is also a thing.
How to fix your boiler's pressure issues
We recently published an article about boilers losing pressure - it'll tell you how to fix it.
If you recently found out that you have a condemned boiler or declared beyond economical repair it can be a bit of a shock, if you are still considering what to do, refer to our guide on whether to replace or repair your boiler.
#4 - Boilers pilot light may have gone out / not catching
To ignite the gas and deliver heat and hot water, the boiler's pilot light (basically a tiny internal flame) will need to be alight when your boiler is active, in order to burn the gas. Rumour has it this is where the Bangles came up with the idea for one of their hits.
Sometimes this flame will go out, whether caused by sudden drafts or wandering spirits trying to make contact.
In older boilers, you’ll be able to check this by peering through the casing to visually check on the boiler flame. If it’s out, you should try restarting/resetting your boiler. If the boiler is still not working, you'll need to call (and pay) a heating engineer (sorry).
#5 - Check your condensate pipe (winter conditions only)
Your condensate pipe travels from your boiler, to (usually) the nearest outside wall and is where excess liquid caused by condensation from your boiler is deposited outside. Technically speaking, it’s your boiler’s urinary tract - something nobody wants freezing.
This small amount of slowly dripping water is naturally vulnerable to freezing in cold weather.
A frozen condensate pipe will lead to a blockage, meaning the excess water has no escape route and your boiler will shut down upon detecting this. It's a surprisingly common cause of a boiler that's not working.
How to fix a frozen boiler that's not working
Gently pour warm water over the frozen condensate pipe until the frozen water has melted away.
After you’ve tackled that – reboot your boiler.
How to (try to) prevent
Checking regularly on the pipe is helpful, but it may be something you easily forget to do.
Instead, wrapping the external part of the pipe in foam or cloth to prevent future freezing is recommended.
#6 - Boiler does not respond to thermostat?
Like Governments blaming immigrants and the poor for their shortcomings, boilers are often held accountable for the failings of their controllers.
If you’re privileged enough not to have to physically approach your boiler to switch it on, you should check if it’s actually your timer that’s not working. Your boiler might be working just great and getting the blame for your thermostat’s problems.
Patrick Garner/Heatable
To resolve the blame shifting, here's how to check if your boiler's not working because of a faulty thermostat:
Check it’s switched on with a full charge or working batteries
Ensure that the temperate is turned up to the level you require
Check your Wi-Fi connection if applicable with the boiler thermostat
Run over the time settings, making sure no ‘vacation modes’, stand-by options or unnoticed daily schedules have been set.
How to fix a boiler thermostat not working
Replace the batteries in your thermostat
Clear any settings and restore to manual operation
If all else fails, refer to the thermostat manual
Want to save money and energy on your heating bills? If so, you should consider installing one of the best smart thermostats.
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Issues requiring an engineer
#1 - Pressure issues (due to faulty parts)
Unlike Queen and David Bowie, boilers thrive under pressure. Boilers require pressure to be maintained within a certain range since it allows the hot water to circulate around your system.
A loss of pressure will result in an inadequate amount of water running through your boiler that will, in turn, struggle to provide heat to your home – or enough hot water, obviously. And let’s face it, not having enough hot water is a nice way of saying you’re stuck with cold water.
Too much pressure and your boiler won’t have time to thoroughly heat the water – amongst other issues, like putting internal parts under pressure and causing leaks.
Culpable boiler parts include; an expansion vessel, pressure release valve and heat exchanger. These are all too often heartbreakingly expensive repairs that are much more likely to lead you down the new boiler route.
How to check if your boilers not working because of a leak
Refer back to the trusty pressure gauge on your boiler; it shouldn’t be under or above the green zone whilst the boiler is switched off and never in the dreaded red zone.
If it is, switch the boiler off.
How to fix a leaking boiler that's not working
A qualified Gas Safe heating engineer will need to strip the boiler down and inspect all possible parts – replacing them where possible.
Boiler over 10 years old with a faulty part? Gently massage the idea of a new boiler into your thoughts. You’ll thank yourself later.
Boiler not working and the repair going to cost you an arm and a leg? Save your last two limbs and upgrade to a hot new boiler with a 10-year warranty and mind bogglingly low monthly payments.
Read our new boiler costs guide to get a better idea of boiler costs and if you are interested in paying monthly, check our boilers on finance guide.
#2 - Leak in the boiler, or heating system
Leaks within the boiler's internal parts or around the heating system (pipework) aren’t just bad for your carpets and floorboards. That puddle isn’t the newest trend in home decoration.
They’ll cause a loss in pressure that we’ve already established is a boiler killer.
How to check
Look for patches of water and drips directly underneath your boiler (within the case if you can) and also check the pipework throughout your house, particularly around the joints/bends in the pipes.
How to fix
You’ll need a boiler engineer to give your system a once over and either replace any faulty parts or secure any leaks in pipework that can be repaired.
If it’s an internal boiler part that’s failed, you may well be better off upgrading to a new boiler rather than falling into the trap of eternal repairs.
Boiler not working during the financial low of your life? Typical. Get a new boiler now – and pay monthly, with no interest!.
#3 - Boiler not turning on (no power to the boiler at all)
If your boilers not turning on to the point where it appear utterly dead with no sign of life. It’s likely an electrical issue. Ironically, a defibrillator won’t bring it back to life.
Most commonly a boiler not turning on will be caused by a busted PCB (circuit board) and could set you back a few hundred pounds.
How to check
The age-old off-and-on-again at the mains power is your only real play here. You’re going to need an engineer to diagnose the issue.
If your boilers not working at the same time as your TV, kettle, lights and washing machine – call your electrical provider. Perhaps paying your gas bill in the previous tip came at the cost of the electricity.
Learn all about combi boilers in our what is a combi boiler guide.
How to fix
If your PCB board has gone into the long night then it’s going to need a costly replacement.
Hopefully, though, you’ll get away with a faulty fuse or another less expensive repair.
Got an emergency? If your boiler is busted and you have no hot water, you may be interested in our emergency boiler installation guide.
Is your boiler working but not providing hot water?
A boiler not working that still provides heating is a brave boiler indeed. At least you’re recovering from your cold shower in a warm house.
But it definitely has a faulty part, and it’s probably the diverter valve.
The aptly named diverter valve diverts the water to either your radiators, hot water outlets or both – depending on what you’re demanding from it.
Here's some help if you've got no hot water from your boiler.
How to fix
Your diverter valve is going to need replacing, or you’re going to need a new boiler.
Is your boiler making a lot of noise? Find out why in our noisy boiler guide.
Is your boiler working but your radiators aren’t getting hot?
Not hot enough? Time for a quick make-over montage - take those glasses off, wave your hair around in slow motion and… Oh. The other kind of hot. Well, that's unlikely to be your boiler not working.
Over time, heating systems – pipes and radiators – become congested with metallic debris and congealed dirty water.
This causes blockages within the system, that can lead to a number of problems, such as cold spots and some radiators not heating up like they used to.
You'll know you've got a sludge issue if your radiators are cold at the bottom. That's the most common.
On a side note, and much rarer instance, your boiler may not actually be powerful enough for your home's needs. Read more about which size boiler your homes needs.
The fix?
A heating engineer is going to need to flush your system – probably a power flush to cleanse the pipework and radiators of debris and bad vibes. It’s the spa break your boiler deserves.
As a preventative measure, you should also invest in the installation of a magnetic boiler filter.
Treating yourself to a new boiler? Heatable fit the Adey mini filter on every install except on the Worcester’s, in which case we fit the Worcester Greenstar mini filter.
We even throw in a chemical treatment for your radiators.
Want to have your boiler moved to a different location? Check out our cost of moving boiler guide.
Still not sure which boiler is right for you? Check out our guide all about the main types of boilers.
Common issues, for common boilers that don't work
Worcester Bosch boiler not working
Common reasons your Worcester boilers not working & Worcester Bosch boiler error codes:
Worcester Bosch Fault | Likely Error Code |
Pressure too low/high | A1, CE 207, H07, 224V, 1017W, 2970B |
Pilot light issue (not lighting) | EA, F7, FA, EA227, F7 228, FA306 |
Heat Exchanger error | 2963 B, 2964 B, 2966 B, 2967 B |
Fan Fault | C6, T2, C6 215, C7 214, C1 264 |
Vaillant boiler not working
Common reasons your Vaillant boilers not working & Vaillant boiler error codes:
Vaillant Fault | Likely Error Code |
Pressure too low/high | F.24, F.12, F.22, F.73 |
BAXI boiler not working
Common reasons your Baxi boilers not working & Baxi boiler error codes:
Baxi Fault | Likely Error Code |
PCB (circuit board) error | E100, E167, E168, H.02 - 02, 4-5 Green Flashes |
Pressure too high/low | E28, E119, 117, 118, 119 |
Pilot light error | E128, E129, E384 |
Ideal boiler not working
Common reasons your Ideal boilers not working & Ideal boiler error codes:
Ideal Fault | Likely Error Code |
Fan defect | F3 |
Low water pressure | F1 |
PCB (circuit board) error | F9, L9, F8, L8 |
PS You may find our guide on the UK's most popular home heating system combi boilers of interest and our new boiler cost guide.
Broken boiler still not working? What now? 👻
You may need a new boiler.
You may need it fast and with affordable monthly payments.
You may even need it from a company with top-end local engineers, with 10,000 Trust Pilot reviews to back them up. Plus a Which? Trusted Trader award for good measure.
You may need a new boiler quote from us, Heatable 😘
