Your boiler works almost 24/7 and 365 days a year. It is highly likely that it can break down due to several faults. It might be as simple as running out of gas, low or high pressure, overheating, or significant issues like damaged or broken parts which need repair or replacement.
Modern boilers display error codes in case of any determinable issue. So, you will get to know if there is a pressure, heating, or gas supply problem. These can be quickly resolved at your end or by contacting a local engineer. After fixing it, the boiler should start working.
Resetting a boiler shouldn’t be a difficult task. You can do it easily by following a few simple instructions. However, if it doesn’t function even after resetting or you have to reset quite often, you need to contact a professional to review the underlying cause and act accordingly.
We will talk about when you need to reset your boiler and how. Let’s also look at some problems that can lead to improper boiler functioning even after you reset it.
What Signs To Look Out For?
Boilers will indicate with a flashing light or an error code when there are any issues (that are within their predetermined list). Common boiler problems can occur due to:
- A faulty system
- Hindrance in operation due to gas supply problems, water leakage, etc.
You will often come across the term ‘boiler lockout’ when some issue stops your boiler from working. This means that your boiler will switch off, preventing a risky situation if there is a serious fault.
In most cases, you’ll know the problem from the error code. However, sometimes the boiler might still function, but not as efficiently as before. In such cases too, you might need to stop the boiler, check for any issues, and then restart it.
In short, firstly you will probably notice:
- Flashing red or green LEDs or indicators.
- Taps are not getting hot water, and the radiators are not working.
- An error code is displayed on the boiler’s display panel.
- In some models, the word ‘reset’ appears on display with a tick.
Why Do You Need To Reset Your Boiler?
There could be several reasons for your boiler lockout or situation when your boiler needs a reset.
Low pressure
When the water pressure drops below the 1.5 mark on the pressure gauge, it indicates low pressure. You can resolve this on your own by following the steps for repressurising as mentioned in your model’s instruction manual. Once done, you’ll have to reset your boiler and keep a check for some time to see if the pressure is back within the acceptable range (between 1.5 to 2).
However, if you sense that the problem is due to a possible leak, you might need professional help.
High pressure
On the contrary, if the pressure gauge mark is above 2.5, it indicates high pressure, leading to inefficient and risky boiler functioning. This can be taken care of, by bleeding the radiators. Then, the boiler needs to be reset, but sometimes it may not require this step.
If the problem of your boiler not functioning persists, you’ll need to contact your local boiler engineer.
Ignition or gas supply failure
Irregular or insufficient gas supply or ignition failure leads to problems in your boiler. This can be due to a blockage, a faulty gas valve, or an issue with the ignition lead.
If a simple reset doesn’t resolve the issue, contact an engineer for an inspection, before trying to reset again.
Boiler overheating
Your boiler can get overheated due to blockages or a failed pump which causes the water to rise above the required temperature. As a safety precaution, the boiler will automatically shut down. Getting a qualified professional to check the issue rather than trying to solve it on your own would be a better bet in this case.
Boilers can also go into a lockout and need resetting if there are issues with the fan or circuit. In these cases, only a professional will be able to help. Once the issue is resolved, the boiler might need a reset.
How Can You Reset Your Boiler In Simple Steps?
If you think it’s a minor issue and resetting the boiler would help, follow the simple steps. However, in other cases, you must first ensure that the cause of the lockdown has been resolved before attempting to reset the boiler.
Apart from minor fixes like bleeding radiators or pressurizing, it’s recommended to seek professionals to handle other repairs or replacements.
Once the issue has been fixed, you can follow the steps to reset your boiler:
- Find the reset button on the boiler
- Press and hold the reset button for no more than 10 seconds (different models have different timings, refer to the table below)
- Check if the error code has disappeared or if the flame has ignited
- Test the boiler is working by checking the hot water or turning up the temperature (give it some time to heat up and resume working)
| Brand | How to reset |
| Vaillant | |
| ecoTEC Plus | Press and hold the reset button for 1 second |
| ecoFIT Pure | Press and hold the reset button for 5 seconds |
| Worcester | |
| CDi Classic | Press and hold the reset button for 3 seconds |
| CDi Compact | Press the reset button |
| Greenstar i | Quick press of the reset button |
| Greenstar Ri | Turn the circular central heating control to the ‘reset’ position and hold for 5 seconds |
| Greenstar Si | Press the reset button |
| Baxi | |
| EcoBlue Heat | Push and hold the reset button for 5 seconds |
| 200, 400 | Press and hold the reset button for 5 seconds |
| 600, 800 | Press and hold the reset button for 1-3 seconds |
| Platinum, Platinum+, Duo-Tec | Turn the selector switch to the R, hold for 5 seconds then let it go |
| Ideal | |
| Logic | Turn the control knob round to reset then straight back to your desired setting |
| Logic+ | Press the restart button |
| Vogue | Push the small ‘r’ button |
Is It Safe To Reset Your Boiler?
If you use a gas boiler with built-in safety features, it will not fire up if anything is wrong. (If there is any problem in the boiler, even after fixing it, that might be risky, it will not allow you to reset the boiler. The boiler wouldn’t allow you to reset it, if the persisting problem, even after fixing it, might be risky). If your boiler does not start after attempting to reset it, it’s recommended to get in touch with an engineer.
Is Your Boiler Not Turning On After Resetting?
Some boilers take several minutes or even more than one attempt to reset. However, if it is not turning on after resetting or the error code is still there, contact the local expert engineer to take a look at your appliance.
If your boiler needs frequent resetting, there must be an underlying issue that is not so evident, and a thorough check-up needs to be done. The first step to see if there are some serious faults with your heating system is to reset the boiler.
If it still doesn’t work, it can be due to some damaged part, block heat exchanger, electrical issues, and even a fault in the boiler’s PCB. Only a professional will be able to diagnose the issue and advise you as to whether or not you can fix it or if it’s time to get a new heating system.
Final Words
Constantly resetting your boiler can be quite frustrating, and hiring a professional every time your boiler shuts down is not feasible. So it’s important to know how you can reset your boiler if the issue is minor.
However, if your boiler shuts down often or you have to reset your appliance frequently, it can be a sign of a significant problem that needs to be addressed to avoid damages or further lockouts.
