How to Reset Your Boiler?

In UK homes, a boiler is one of the must-have items. It has been a mandatory component of home central heating systems for a long time. After the age of wood- or coal-fired boilers, and after the era of oil and electricity, modern boilers in the UK mostly run on gas today.

Beyond changes in fuel or energy sources, boiler technology has evolved significantly over the years. With the advent of modern technologies, almost all modern boilers are equipped with safety mechanisms that not only protect homes from potential damage but also prevent damage to the boiler's internal components. Whenever some internal or external fault occurs in the boiler, the safety system is automatically triggered, and the boiler is locked out.

Several faults can cause a boiler to auto-lockout, including power loss, gas supply interruption, thermostat error, low pressure, or other internal faults. In most cases, a boiler can be restored to service by using the reset option. Although modern boilers include a reset button, safely restarting a boiler requires considerable care and vigilance.

This blog will guide you through everything you need to know about how the reset option works, when you need to use this option, and, more importantly, how to reset your boiler safely.

Reset a Boiler – What Does It Refer To?

When an internal safety mechanism automatically shuts down a boiler, it can usually be restarted using the "Reset" option. Boiler Reset is an option available in almost every modern boiler, whether it is a Combi or System Boiler. Resetting a boiler means rebooting the system to clear internal error codes.

An error code may appear when there is a problem with a boiler's operating system. When the boiler detects operational issues, such as ignition failure, low boiler pressure, overheating, a sudden power outage, or an internal sensor failure, it will shut down. In such an event, the boiler's safety system is triggered, which forces the boiler to lock out, and a relevant error code appears on the display panel. When it happens, the boiler can be restarted by pressing the "reset button".

In most cases, using the Reset Option can restore the boiler's operation after clearing the error codes; however, it may not work due to a more serious issue with the boiler’s control system. In that case, a Gas Safe engineer would be required to fix the fault.

What Happens When the Reset Button Is Pressed?

When the reset button is pressed, the restarting option of the boiler is triggered, which makes the boiler perform the following operations:

1. Clear all the error codes.
2. Try to clear the faults and errors. 
3. Attempt to re-ignite the boiler. 
4. Repeat the attempt several times if the initial effort to re-ignite the boiler fails.
5. Reactivate normal boiler operations if there are no other serious operational issues.

Remember

If the boiler was shut down due to serious operational issues, it will not be restarted by pressing the reset button. The reset option clears the error codes and causes the boiler to attempt to reignite, but it does not fix the underlying fault. Even if the boiler restarts its operations by clearing the error codes, the underlying fault will remain there, for which you will have to call a Gas Safe-registered engineer to fix the actual fault.

How To Know If You Need To Reset Your Boiler

Modern boilers provide indicators that alert users to the need for a reset. Some of the most common indications might be as follows:

• Heating suddenly stopped.
• There is no hot water in the taps.
• Depending on the boiler make and model, fault/error codes appear on the display panel, such as F1, E1, I10, or F28. These are the most common error codes, but other codes may be used in different boiler models. You can consult the user manual to find the complete list of error codes for your boiler. Alternatively, you can search the error code list on your boiler manufacturer’s website.
• In some models, the boilers give a warning light, usually a flashing red light, which indicates that the boiler needs a reset.
• The boiler repeatedly tries to reignite but fails each time. A distinctive sound from the boiler indicates this attempt.
• If the boiler is completely shut down, it is yet another sign that it needs a reset.

Where to Find the Reset Option

Though the exact location of the Reset Button mainly depends on the make and model of the boiler, it can usually be found in the following locations on the boiler:

• Most commonly, a reset option is located near the front display panel.
• Sometimes the reset option is provided under the boiler flap.
• It may be available on the control panel, mostly alongside the temperature gauge.

What a Reset Option Looks Like

The reset option varies by manufacturer and model. Generally, it will be one of the following four types:

1. In most modern boilers, the reset option is available as a physical “Reset Button” that can be pressed as needed.
2. Sometimes it is in the form of a dial. To reset the boiler, set it to the "Reset" position.
3. It is also provided as a “digital option”, which appears on the LCD screen (display). 
4. In the latest models, this option is available as a touch symbol. You may activate it by simply touching the correct symbol.

Common Reasons Why A Boiler Goes Into Lockout

Generally, a boiler does not lock out unless there are some underlying faults in its operating system. Mostly, the boilers lock out when one or more of the following happens:

• Low Boiler Pressure – The boilers are designed to operate at a cold boiler pressure of 1-1.5 bar. When it drops below 0.5 bars, the boiler tends to lock out. It mostly occurs after radiator bleeding. It may also happen if there is a water leak within the system or the pressure release valve is faulty. This can be fixed by repressurizing the boiler and using a refilling loop.
• Condensate Pipe is Frozen – During the extreme winter season, the outdoor condensate pipe of the boiler often freezes. It results in blockage, and error codes may appear on the display panel. You can try to thaw the frozen pipe with warm water before pressing the reset button.
• Gas or Electricity Outage – When there is a gas supply issue, the boiler cannot reignite. Similarly, during a power outage, the boiler may experience ignition failure. You need to check whether the gas supply is operational and the gas inlet valve is not accidentally closed. Also, check if the electricity supply has been restored. After confirming both, press the reset button.
• Boiler Might Be Overheating – If due to any reasons, such as limescale accumulation, faulty pump, faulty heat exchanger, or faulty water circulation, the boiler enters a lockout condition, you need to get the problem fixed by a Gas Safe-registered engineer before trying to reset the boiler.

How You Can Reset Your Boiler - Steps To Follow 

• Consult the user manual and search for the error code, error symbol, or flashing light displayed on the panel. When any of these are detected, it indicates that your boiler needs a reset.
• Find the reset option on your boiler. It may be a push button, a dial, a digital option, or a soft-touch symbol.
• Press and hold the reset button for up to 10 seconds. During this period, the display will go blank, and the boiler will enter the ignition process.
• Once done, wait at least 20 seconds for the Combi Boilers to complete ignition. If your boiler is of an older model, this time may extend up to 60 seconds.

Important

• If the boiler turns on after you reset it, wait a few minutes. If it remains on, the reset is successful.
• If the boiler shuts down again after some time, there must be some underlying fault. In that case, call a Gas Safe-registered engineer to fix the underlying issue.
• Never attempt to reset the boiler if you detect a gas or burning odor.

Conclusion

A boiler is designed to work uninterruptedly throughout the winter season. Under normal conditions, it operates normally, but sometimes it may automatically enter lockout mode. In most cases, this issue can be resolved by using the Reset option, which is available on most modern boilers. Although it is a simple process, it requires some experience and know-how to use this option. However, if the problem persists, you should not repeatedly select this option. It might be dangerous because a frequent lockout typically indicates an underlying fault in the boiler.

If your boiler has been turned off automatically, try resetting it once or twice. If it still turns off, do not repeatedly reset it; instead, call a Gas Safe-registered engineer to identify and fix the underlying issue.