Boiler Not Working? 7 Fixes Before Calling an Engineer

When your boiler stops working without an obvious reason and without warning,  the most common time it will happen is in winter when it’s used the most.  But sometimes the cause could be something simple that you can fix yourself.

Here, we will look at some basic things to check when your boiler stops working.  If you can’t find the fault after these checks, it’s time to call in a professional. First, we look at some of the most common boiler faults.

Most common boiler faults

• Leaking boiler.
• Low boiler pressure.
• Noises from the boiler.
• Blocked condensate pipe.
• thermostat issues.

Try these boiler fixes before calling an engineer

1. Check gas supply to the boiler
2. Electrical power to the boiler
3. Press the reset button
4. Signs of an extinguished pilot light
5. Pressure on the gauge
6. Unblock condensate pipe

If you are not confident in what you are doing, it’s always best to call in a professional. Hometree provides complete home cover including boiler repairs. Check them out on the link below.

Check gas supply to the boiler

It may seem obvious but a common occurrence for a boiler to suddenly stop working is that no gas is coming into it.  This could be an external issue with the gas mains coming into your property or an internal problem. 

Check if your gas cooker or gas heater is working and if these are working properly, then it isn’t a gas supply issue.  Sometimes the gas supply going into the boiler may have been turned off accidentally.  If you know what to look for, you can check it yourself but call a professional if in any doubt.

No power to the boiler – Causes and Fixes

Sometimes the cause is electrical rather than mechanical. These faults include:

1. Blown fuse at the spur to the boiler – replace with new fuse
2. Tripped switch at the RCD – check at the consumer unit
3. Loss of electricity supply in the property – check other appliances for power
4. PCB fault – due to wiring issues or other faulty components. Expensive to replace
5. Boiler’s internal fuse has blown – cheap to replace but could indicate other bigger issues.

Numbers 4 and 5 can only be checked by a gas safe engineer. You can have this covered with a boiler cover plan with Hometree.co.uk on the link below

Boiler reset button

This is a quick fix with the reset button or the on/off button on the front of the boiler, and many times can get your boiler up and running again. Simply push and hold down the reset button for 5 to 10 seconds. Then wait for 3 minutes as the boiler goes through its start-up sequence. If the reset is successful, you will hear the boiler fire up. Otherwise, it will show an error code and not start up.

Boilers are complex machines with many sensors and switches.  Occasionally, after many months of hard work, a boiler that has stopped working may simply require a reset to get it working again.  This can also be done following a power cut.

Reset boiler: step by step

1. Always refer to the boiler user manual first. If you can’t find it, follow the steps below.
2. Ensure the boiler and heating system are cool.
3. Find the reset button on the boiler. It is usually located on the front panel and labelled. It may also be a dial.
4. Push the reset button for upto 10 seconds.
5. Wait for 2 minutes while the boiler begins to fire up.
6. Repeat the reset process. If the boiler doesnt fire up after 2 minutes.
7. Check gas supply. After the third attempt, check you have gas supply by turning on another gas appliance, such as a gas hob. If that is working, there is a bigger problem with the boiler.
8. Arrange for a qualified engineer to come out.

Look for a pilot light

The pilot light on a boiler is the flame that lights the gas that comes into the burner and is constantly on.  If it has gone out, the boiler simply won’t be able to burn any gas.  Some boilers have a small viewing glass which lets you see if the pilot light is on.  When you have reset the boiler, look for this flame and if it isn’t present, your boiler manual may guide you on how to get it lit again.  Otherwise, you will need to call a gas engineer to fix as the causes can be many.

Check pressure on the gauge

If you find your boiler switches off itself or some of your radiators (usually those on higher floors) don’t warm up like the downstairs ones, it can mean the pressure in your heating system is low.  If the pressure gauge on the control panel reads less than one bar, you will need to fill the system up via the inlet valve to between 1 and 1.5 bar.  You can do this yourself without calling someone out.  You may have to reset the boiler after filling the system.

Check your thermostat is working and set correctly

Digital thermostats and heating controls mean you have more control and sometimes this can result in pressing buttons which make your boiler work differently or stop working.  So if your boiler doesn’t come on when it should or at strange times, your timer settings may have changed and will need to be readjusted.  Also check the temperature setting as if this is too low, the boiler will not need to come on.

Condensate pipe frozen

A frozen condensate pipe in winter is a common occurrence that will lead to a blockage, as the excess water coming out of your boiler has no escape route and your boiler will not fire up but stop working.  You can usually remedy this by pouring hot water on the pipe a few times to melt the ice inside.  You can also apply a warm compress or a hot water bottle.

• Ways to quickly fix a frozen condensate pipe

Call in a professional

If you have tried the above tips and your boiler still isn’t working, it is time to call in a professional.  The quicker you call, the better your chances are of the boiler working again.  Leaving it can sometimes create bigger problems with other components inside breaking down as well. If you are looking for repair cover so you don’t have to pay out unexpectedly, click the following link to find the best cover