Your boiler has detected that water is not moving through the system correctly, causing it to overheat quickly.
Book a Gas Safe engineer within 24–48 hours. Your boiler may be unsafe or could break down completely if left.
Technical description: Circulation fault (dry fire)
What causes this fault?
This fault occurs when the water inside your boiler heats up too quickly because it isn't being moved away into your radiators or hot water tank. The most common reasons are a pump that has seized up, a build-up of sludge blocking the pipework, or air trapped within the system preventing flow.
This fault is frequently seen in autumn when heating systems are switched back on after being idle all summer, which can cause the internal pump to stick.
DIY fix possible
Check that your boiler pressure is between 1 and 1.5 bar on the gauge.Ensure all radiator valves and isolation valves under the boiler are fully open.Gently bleed your radiators to remove any trapped air pockets.Reset the boiler to see if the fault clears.
Find a Gas Safe engineer
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Gas Safe Register →Protect yourself from future repair bills
A boiler cover plan would cover faults like E270 — 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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