Emergency
F16 on Glow-worm Xtramax HE

Your boiler has detected that a flame is still burning inside even though it has been told to turn off, which means it has safely shut itself down to prevent a hazard.

Act immediately

Turn off your boiler and stop using gas appliances. Call a Gas Safe engineer now. This fault can be dangerous if ignored.

What the manual says

Manufacturer manual

Flame detection fault (flame presence for 5 seconds after burner stopped)

From this model's manual
Verified against the Glow Worm Xtramax He installation & service manual, page 33.
Plain-English guidance below. Severity, DIY steps, costs and parts are our interpretation to help you act, not text from the manual.

What causes this fault?

This fault occurs when the boiler's sensors detect a flame signal at a time when there shouldn't be one, such as during the initial startup checks. The most common reason is a faulty flame sensing electrode that is sending a false signal, or a carbon buildup that is allowing electricity to leak across the sensor. In some cases, the main control board may be malfunctioning and incorrectly interpreting signals from the burner.

Engineer required

This is a emergency severity fault. Stop using the boiler and call a Gas Safe registered engineer. Do not attempt gas-related repairs yourself.

Find a Gas Safe engineer
Search the official register →

Avoid the next call-out bill

A cover plan would handle faults like F16: no call-out fees, no surprise bills.

Approved partner
Domestic Appliance Guard
Unlimited call-outs, 24/7 helpline, no price-hike promise
Get a quote →

Affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Related fault codes

Related guides you might find useful