At RDS Plumbing, serving Dagenham, Romford, and Hornchurch, we often receive calls about boiler lockouts and resets. While some situations require professional intervention, many common boiler issues can be resolved with a simple reset. Here's our comprehensive guide to resetting your boiler safely.
Preparing to Reset Your Boiler
Before attempting to reset your boiler, it's crucial to prioritise safety. Always check for gas leaks or unusual noises emanating from the boiler. If you detect a gas odour or hear strange sounds, do not proceed with the reset. Instead, immediately shut off the gas supply and contact a Gas Safe registered engineer.
To determine if a reset is necessary, look for these signs:
- Error codes displayed on the boiler's interface
- Loss of heating or hot water
- Abnormal pressure readings on the boiler's gauge
How to Reset Different Boiler Types
Combi Boilers
Most modern combi boilers feature a dedicated reset button, typically marked with a red light or flame symbol. Press and hold this button for 5-10 seconds, then release. The boiler should fire up again after a short delay.
System Boilers
System boilers often require you to turn off the power completely for a few minutes before switching back on. Some models have specific reset sequences detailed in their user manuals.
Conventional Boilers
Traditional boilers might need both an electrical reset and pressure adjustment. Always check your user manual for specific instructions.
How to Reset Specific Boiler Brands
Vaillant Boilers
Most Vaillant boilers display a fault code when they need resetting. Locate the reset button, marked with a flame symbol, usually positioned on the front panel. Press and hold for 3 seconds until you hear a click or see the display change. The boiler will then begin its ignition sequence. For ecoTEC models, ensure the pressure reads between 1 and 1.5 bar before attempting a reset.
Worcester Bosch Boilers
Worcester Bosch boilers typically show an 'EA' or 'H' fault code when requiring a reset. Find the reset button, usually marked with a flame or spanner symbol. Press and hold for 3-5 seconds until the display changes. On Greenstar models, watch for the blue light indicator to change from flashing to solid. The boiler should then attempt to fire up.
Ideal Boilers
Ideal boilers display specific fault codes like 'L2' or 'F1' when locked out. The reset procedure varies slightly between models. For Logic and Independent series, press the reset button until you see the display change (typically 5 seconds). For Mexico models, you may need to wait 60 seconds after a lockout before attempting a reset.
Baxi Boilers
Baxi boilers often show an error code like '108' or '110' when locked out. For Duo-tec models, locate the reset button marked with a flame symbol and press for 3 seconds. For Platinum models, you'll need to press and hold both selector buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds. Always ensure the pressure gauge shows between 1 and 2 bar before resetting.
Glow-worm Boilers
Glow-worm boilers typically require a specific reset sequence. For Energy models, press the reset button (marked with a flame) for 3 seconds. For Ultimate models, you may need to press the mode and '+' buttons simultaneously. Wait for the fault code to clear before the boiler attempts to restart.
When to Call Heating Engineers Romford, Dagenham and Hornchurch
While resetting your boiler is often straightforward, certain situations require professional attention. Contact RDS Plumbing immediately if:
- The boiler keeps locking out after reset
- You notice unusual noises or smells
- The pressure repeatedly drops
- Error codes persist after resetting
- There's visible water leakage
Our heating engineers can be contacted on 01708444685.
