There’s nothing worse than waking up to no heating or hot water.
If your boiler has suddenly stopped working, don’t panic — it’s often something simple that can be fixed quickly.
Here’s how to identify the cause and what you can do next.
1. Check the Basics First
Before calling an engineer, rule out a few simple issues:
- Power supply: Make sure the boiler is plugged in and your fuse hasn’t tripped.
- Gas supply: Check if your other gas appliances work. If not, it could be a gas supply issue.
- Thermostat: Make sure it’s set correctly and the timer hasn’t reset.
- Boiler pressure: If the pressure gauge is below 1 bar, your system might need repressurising.
- Reset button: Try resetting your boiler according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Common Reasons Your Boiler Stops Working
- Low Boiler Pressure
A frequent culprit. If your boiler loses pressure, it won’t fire up. Repressurise it to 1–1.5 bar using the filling loop. - Frozen Condensate Pipe
In cold weather, the external condensate pipe can freeze, blocking the system and triggering a safety shutdown.
Pour warm (not boiling) water over the pipe to thaw it gently. - Faulty Ignition or Pilot Light
If you have an older boiler, the pilot light might have gone out. For modern boilers, ignition faults may show as an error code and require professional repair. - Thermostat Issues
A broken or misconfigured thermostat can prevent your heating from turning on. Replace batteries or check the time and temperature settings. - Airlock or Circulation Problem
If your radiators are cold or unevenly warm, there could be trapped air or a failed pump stopping hot water from circulating properly. - Internal Component Faults
Faults with sensors, valves, or the PCB (circuit board) can cause complete shutdowns. These need to be diagnosed by a Gas Safe engineer.
3. When to Call a Gas Safe Engineer
Call a professional if:
- You’ve checked power, pressure, and thermostat with no success
- Your boiler leaks water or gas
- You see repeated error codes after reset
- The pilot light keeps going out
- You hear loud banging or whistling noises
Heatforce’s Gas Safe registered engineers can diagnose and repair all major boiler brands, from Worcester Bosch to Vaillant and Ideal.
4. Preventing Future Breakdowns
Keep your boiler running smoothly with regular care:
- Annual servicing to spot issues early
- System flushes to remove sludge buildup
- Pressure checks once a month
- Protective filters to prevent debris damage
Routine maintenance costs far less than emergency repairs — and ensures your heating never lets you down.
5. Get Your Boiler Working Again
If your boiler’s not working and you’ve tried the basics, our team at Heatforce can help.
We provide fast, reliable boiler repair and servicing across Wales, with 40+ years of experience and hundreds of 5-star reviews.
Request your free repair quote or book an engineer visit today.
