How to Reset Your Boiler: A Simple Step by Step Guide
If your boiler has stopped working, the first thing most engineers will tell you to try is a reset. It sounds almost too simple, but a quick reset fixes a surprising number of boiler faults, especially after a power cut, a pressure drop, or a frozen condensate pipe.
Where is the reset button?
On most modern boilers, the reset button is on the front panel. It is usually marked with a flame icon or the word "Reset." On Worcester Bosch boilers, it is a small button near the display. On Vaillant models, you press the flame icon with a line through it. Baxi boilers have a clearly labelled reset button below the controls.
How to reset your boiler
- Check the display for an error code and make a note of it
- Press and hold the reset button for 3 to 5 seconds
- Release the button and wait for the boiler to attempt to reignite
- Listen for the boiler firing up. You should hear the fan start, then the ignition click
- If the boiler fires and stays on, you are sorted
What if it locks out again?
If your boiler locks out again after resetting, do not keep pressing the button repeatedly. There is an underlying fault that the reset will not fix, and repeatedly forcing ignition can cause further damage.
The most common reasons a boiler locks out are:
- Low pressure — check the gauge, it should read between 1.0 and 1.5 bar
- Frozen condensate pipe — very common in cold weather. Pour warm water over the white plastic pipe outside
- Gas supply issue — check your other gas appliances work. If nothing works, contact your gas supplier
- Ignition failure — the electrode or ignition lead may need replacing
When to call an engineer
If a single reset does not fix the problem, or if your boiler keeps locking out every few hours or days, it needs a professional diagnosis. The error code on the display tells the engineer exactly what went wrong, so always note it down before resetting.
Need help with your boiler? Our Gas Safe registered engineers cover the North East. Get in touch today or call 07579 760536.