BoilerFaultCodes.com
21 High Lockout

Your boiler has shut down because a safety sensor has detected that the burner area is getting too hot or is failing to register a secure connection.

Call an engineer soon

Book a Gas Safe engineer within 24–48 hours. Your boiler may be unsafe or could break down completely if left.

Technical description: Burner thermostat is open or not connected; check the thermostat for the switching point 107˚C. Check the burner cover for defects, it is possible that the flame will extend to the rear-side of the burner cover. Check the sealing between the mixing chamber and the heat exchanger and check the connection of the burner housing to the heat exchanger.

What causes this fault?

This fault occurs when a safety sensor detects that the area around the burner is overheating, usually because heat is escaping where it shouldn't. The most common reason is a perished seal or a gap between internal components, which allows hot combustion gases to leak out and trigger the safety shut-off. It can also be caused by the sensor itself failing or a loose wiring connection preventing the boiler from confirming it is safe to fire.

Typical repair cost £120-280 (including labour)

Engineer required

This fault requires a Gas Safe registered engineer. Do not attempt gas-related repairs yourself.

Find a Gas Safe engineer

Search the official register for a qualified engineer in your area.

Gas Safe Register →

Protect yourself from future repair bills

A boiler cover plan would cover faults like 21 — no call-out fees, no surprises.

Top rated
OpenFix
Boiler & heating care plans
Get a quote →
Hometree
from £12.95/month
Get a quote →
HomeServe
from £8.00/month
Get a quote →

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

Ideal Maximiser SE is discontinued — time for a new one?

Parts for discontinued models can be hard to find and expensive. A new A-rated boiler could save you money on both repairs and energy bills.

UK's #1 online installer
Boxt
Fixed-price online quotes. Next-day installation.
Get a free quote →
Heatable
Instant online boiler quotes from £1,499.
Get a free quote →
iHeat
Fast installation. Price match guarantee.
Get a free quote →

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

Related fault codes