Your boiler has detected that water isn't moving through the system properly, which is causing it to overheat and shut down for safety.
Book a Gas Safe engineer within 24–48 hours. Your boiler may be unsafe or could break down completely if left.
Technical description: Water circulation fault
What causes this fault?
This fault occurs when the boiler's internal sensors detect that the water temperature is rising too quickly because it isn't being moved away from the burner. The most common reason is a seized or failing pump, though it can also be caused by an airlock or a blockage in the system preventing the water from flowing. For your safety, the boiler shuts down immediately to prevent the heat exchanger from reaching dangerous temperatures.
This fault is frequently seen at the start of autumn when heating systems are turned back on after months of inactivity, which can cause the internal pump to seize.
DIY fix possible
Check that your system pressure is between 1 and 1.5 bar on the pressure gaugeEnsure all radiator valves and isolation valves under the boiler are fully openBleed your radiators to remove any trapped air pockets
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A boiler cover plan would cover faults like 125 — no call-out fees, no surprises.
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Could it be time for a new boiler?
If repair costs are adding up, a new energy-efficient boiler could be the smarter long-term choice.
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