Need to reset your boiler? Our guide explains how and when you need to reset it and why your boiler may have suddenly stopped working.
Resetting a boiler is usually as simple as pressing a reset button once or holding down the button for a few seconds. You can find out the correct way to reset your boiler by looking in the user manual that came with your appliance when you purchased it and had it installed.
No matter which boiler make and model you own, you should be able to reset your boiler yourself. But why would you need to reset it, and when should you?
In this guide, we tell you when and how to reset your boiler and the reasons why it has shut down and needs resetting.
When to reset your boiler
The chances are high that you will need to reset your boiler when it develops a fault or stops working. You may also have to reset the boiler after fixing an issue or when you need to clear an error code.
Most modern boilers lock out when there’s a problem or fault in the system to prevent issues from getting worse or becoming dangerous. The lockout function is a safety feature designed to protect your boiler and the rest of your central heating system. An error code usually appears on the display screen when your boiler goes into lockout.
Why is my boiler locking out?
A boiler lockout can happen for several reasons, so you should always identify the cause before resetting your boiler to determine whether you need to contact a professional to fix the problem.
Here are a few common causes of boiler lockouts.
System or heat exchanger blockage
A build-up of sludge or limescale somewhere in your central heating system, like in your radiators, pipework, or the heat exchanger, can lead to a lockout. A Gas Safe registered engineer will need to find the blockage and clear it.
Ignition problem
Most boilers will lockout after three failed ignition attempts. An ignition problem could mean you have an issue with your gas supply, but there are several other likely causes, such as low boiler pressure, faulty gas valves or a blocked burner.
Low or high pressure
Your boiler will lock out if the pressure is too low or high. If your boiler pressure is too low, you can increase it by adding water to the system via the filling loop. Bleeding your radiators will reduce the pressure if it’s too high. You can find the ideal pressure for your boiler by referring to your user manual.
How to reset your boiler
Once you fix the issue with your boiler, you can reset it. If you have a serious problem with your boiler or an issue that can only be rectified by removing the boiler casing, you must call in a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Your boiler will have a reset button, and its location will depend on the make and model of the boiler you have installed. Don’t panic if you can’t locate the reset button. You can find out where it is by looking in your user manual, which should also have instructions on how you can reset the boiler.
If you can’t find your user manual and want to know how to reset your boiler, look for your boiler make and model in the tables below.
| Baxi Boiler | Reset Button Location | How to Reset Boiler |
|---|---|---|
| 200 and 400 | Bottom right button on the control panel | Press the reset button for 3 seconds |
| 600, 636 and 800 | Small button directly below the boiler display | Press the reset button for 1 to 3 seconds |
| Duo-tec, Platinum and Platinum+ | Use the selector switch – furthest left on the control box | Turn the selector switch to reset position for 5 seconds |
| Biasi Boiler | Reset Button Location | How to Reset Boiler |
|---|---|---|
| Advance | Bottom middle button directly below the LCD display on the control panel | Press the reset button |
| Advance Plus | Bottom middle button directly below the LCD display on the control panel | Press the reset button |
| Inovia | Bottom middle button on the control panel | Press the reset button |
| Riva Plus | Bottom right button below the time display | Press the reset button – you may need to use a pencil |
| Ferroli Boiler | Reset Button Location | How to Reset Boiler |
|---|---|---|
| Bluehelix Tech RRT | Bottom right button below the multifunction display on the control panel | Press the reset button |
| Bluehelix Tech S | Next to the water gauge on the left and above the service tool connector | Press the reset button |
| i25 and i29 | Bottom left button next to the water gauge | Press the reset button |
| Modena HE | Next to the water gauge on the left and above the service tool connector | Press the reset button |
| Econcept | Bottom middle button directly below the multifunction display | Press the reset button |
| Energy Top | Bottom middle button directly below the multifunction display | Press the reset button |
| Ideal Boiler | Reset Button Location | How to Reset Boiler |
|---|---|---|
| Logic, Logic+ and Logic Max | Bottom right button directly below the boiler status display | Press the reset button |
| Vogue | Small ‘r’ button bottom left on the control panel | Press the ‘r’ button |
| Vogue Max | Use the central heating temperature and hot water temperature control knobs | Set both controls to ‘max’ then choose your desired settings |
| Vaillant Boiler | Reset Button Location | How to Reset Boiler |
|---|---|---|
| ecoTEC Plus, ecoTEC Pro, ecoTEC Exclusive and ecoFIT Pure | Bottom right round button below the boiler display | Press the reset button for 1 second |
| Viessmann Boiler | Reset Button Location | How to Reset Boiler |
|---|---|---|
| Vitodens 050-W | Use the MODE and OK buttons | Press MODE and OK simultaneously until ― is displayed. |
| Vitodens 100-W and Vitodens 111-W | ‘R’ on the touchscreen display | Touch the ‘R’ for approx. 2 seconds |
| Vitodens 200-W | Round reset button is near the pressure gauge behind the control unit flap | Press the reset button |
| Vitodens 222-F and Vitodens 242-F | Button ‘R’ on the control unit | Press the ‘R’ reset button |
| Worcester Bosch Boiler | Reset Button Location | How to Reset Boiler |
|---|---|---|
| CDi Compact and Si Compact | Middle button to the left of the boiler display | Press the reset button |
| Greenstar i | Small button furthest right directly below the boiler display | Press the reset button |
| Greenstar Ri | Use the central heating temperature control knob on the right | Turn the central heating temperature control knob anticlockwise to the reset position and hold for approx. 5 seconds – then turn the knob back to the original temperature setting |
| Greenstar i Junior | Top right button left of and slightly below the pressure gauge | Press the reset button for approx. 5 seconds |
| Greenstar 8000 Style and Greenstar 4000 | Use the ˄ and ˅ keys on the control panel | Press the ˄ and ˅ keys until Reset is displayed |
| Greenstar 8000 Life | Use the ˄ and ˅ keys on the control panel | Press the ˄ and ˅ keys together until fault disappears |
| Greenstar 2000 | Use the ˄ and ˅ keys on the control panel | Press the ˄ and ˅ keys simultaneously |
| Greenstar CDi Highflow and Greenstar CDi Classic | On the right of the control panel directly below the boiler display | Press the reset button for 3 seconds |
Boiler still not working after reset?
If you think you’ve dealt with the problem and your boiler still won’t work after resetting it, then it’s time to call in a Gas Safe registered engineer. Some issues, like low or high pressure, are easy to fix yourself, but ongoing faults and serious problems require a professional.
A Gas Safe registered engineer can check your boiler and determine whether any internal parts need repairing or replacing. They may even suggest you get a new boiler if your current one keeps shutting down to avoid the need to pay out for expensive repairs.