Your boiler is not firing up properly because it cannot establish a steady flame after several tries.
Book a Gas Safe engineer within 24–48 hours. Your boiler may be unsafe or could break down completely if left.
Technical description: Flame lockout after several ignition attempts
What causes this fault?
This fault occurs when the boiler tries to light itself several times but fails to detect a stable flame, causing the system to shut down for safety. The most common reasons include a buildup of carbon on the sensors, a blockage in the gas supply, or the internal spark not being strong enough to ignite the burner.
This issue is more frequent during the first cold snap of autumn when boilers are switched back on after being idle for several months.
DIY fix possible
Check that your gas prepayment meter has credit.Ensure your external gas stopcock is turned to the 'on' position.Press the reset button on the boiler control panel once.
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A boiler cover plan would cover faults like 1 — 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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