Your boiler is not detecting that a hot tap has been turned on, which is preventing it from heating your water.
Book a Gas Safe engineer within 24–48 hours. Your boiler may be unsafe or could break down completely if left.
Technical description: If the boiler is not lit when a hot tap is opened this could mean there is a lack of water flow or possible flow switch problem
What causes this fault?
This fault occurs when the boiler fails to detect water moving through the pipes when you turn on a hot tap. The most common reason is that the internal sensor used to trigger the burner has become stuck or damaged, preventing the boiler from knowing there is a demand for hot water. In some cases, a perished rubber diaphragm or a blockage within the unit is stopping the mechanical parts from moving correctly.
This fault is slightly more common in winter when incoming mains water is much colder, which can cause internal rubber components to become less flexible and more prone to failure.
Engineer required
This fault requires a Gas Safe registered engineer. Do not attempt gas-related repairs yourself.
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A boiler cover plan would cover faults like Flow — 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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