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If your boiler suddenly stops working or shows a fault code, it can feel stressful, especially when you need heating and hot water. The good news is that sometimes the fix is as simple as pressing the reset button. Knowing how to reset your boiler safely can save you time, but it’s also important to know when to call in heating engineers in Wolverhampton, Walsall and Cannock.
Modern boilers are designed to shut down if they detect a fault, which is called a lockout. This is a built-in safety feature that helps protect your home. You’ll usually spot it when your boiler shows a flashing light or an error code on the display.
Low water pressure in the system
Ignition failures or gas supply interruptions
Overheating caused by trapped air or blockages
Electrical faults or power surges
A reset will often get things going again, but if it happens more than once, your boiler may need repairs.
Yes, it usually is, but only if you follow the instructions in your boiler’s manual. Before pressing the reset button, check:
The gas and electricity are switched on
You have credit on your meter if you use a prepay system
The pressure gauge is between 1 and 2 bars
If all looks fine, you can go ahead and reset.
The first thing you’ll need to do is find the reset button. On most modern boilers, it’s clearly labelled, sometimes with a flame icon or the word “reset.” If you’re unsure, check your boiler’s manual, as the button can be in slightly different places depending on the make and model. Some boilers may even have a reset function built into the display screen.
Once you’ve found it, press and hold the button firmly. Most boilers require you to keep it pressed for between 3 and 10 seconds. Holding it for less than this time might not work, so make sure you follow the guidance in your manual. You might notice the lights on the display flickering or the boiler making a clicking sound as it tries to restart.
After releasing the button, allow a few minutes for the boiler to reset itself fully. You may hear the fan start up or the burner attempting to ignite. If the reset has worked, the flashing warning lights or error code should disappear, and your heating and hot water should come back on.
If your boiler doesn’t restart, or if the same fault returns soon after, don’t keep pressing the reset button over and over. Repeated resets are a sign of a bigger issue that needs fixing, not just restarting. At this point, the safest option is to contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to find and repair the fault properly.
For most Worcester Bosch boilers, the reset button is on the front of the control panel. Hold it down for 3–5 seconds until the error clears. Some older models have a reset light on the temperature dial. Turn the dial to “reset,” hold it there for a few seconds, then turn it back.
Vaillant boilers usually have a reset button on the display screen, shown as a flame with a line through it. Press and hold this for around 3 seconds. The screen should update once the reset is complete. Always check your manual in case your model has slightly different instructions.
Ideal boilers have different reset methods depending on the model:
Logic and Logic+: Turn the control knob to the reset position, then back to your chosen setting.
Vogue Max: Press the reset button under the digital display.
Esprit Eco: Press and hold the “select” and “arrow up” buttons together for 2 seconds.
If your boiler still refuses to start, it’s best to stop there and call a professional heating engineer in Wolverhampton, Walsall, or Cannock to avoid damaging the system further.
If your boiler works for a little while but keeps shutting down again, resetting won’t solve the real issue. Problems such as faulty sensors, blocked pumps, or gas supply faults need professional attention. Ignoring these problems can make things worse and leave you without heating for longer.
At Heatfire Ltd, we know how stressful a broken boiler can be. Our experienced heating engineers in Wolverhampton, Walsall, and Cannock are here to provide reliable boiler repairs and servicing.
Whether it’s a quick fix or a more complex repair, we’ll get your heating and hot water working again as soon as possible. Call us today or use the contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
