Vaillant ecoMAX Pro 18E Fault codes & diagnostics

17 fault codes with plain-English explanations, severity ratings, DIY guidance, and repair cost estimates.

System Natural Gas 18 kW Discontinued

Replaced by: ecoTEC plus

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Severity at a glance

Each cell = one fault code. Hover to identify.
1 Emergency 16 High

All 17 documented codes

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F1

Your boiler is trying to start up but cannot successfully light the flame, so it has stopped working for your safety.

High Engineer only £120-250

Parts commonly replaced

  • Ignition electrode
  • Gas valve
  • Circuit board (PCB)
F4

Your boiler is trying to start up but is failing to stay lit, so it has turned itself off for safety.

High Engineer only £150-350

Parts commonly replaced

  • Ignition electrode
  • Gas valve
  • Printed Circuit Board (PCB)
  • Flame sensor
F5

Your boiler has detected that it is getting too hot and has automatically shut itself down to prevent any damage or danger.

High Engineer only £150-300

Parts commonly replaced

  • Pump
  • Diverter valve
  • NTC thermistor
  • Heat exchanger

Related codes

F6

Your boiler has lost the ability to accurately measure the temperature of the water circulating through your heating system, so it has safely shut down to prevent overheating.

High Engineer only £120-220

Parts commonly replaced

  • Flow NTC sensor
  • Wiring harness
F10

Your boiler is unable to read the temperature of the water returning from your radiators, so it has shut down to prevent overheating.

High Engineer only £120-200

Parts commonly replaced

  • Return NTC temperature sensor
  • Wiring harness

Related codes

F11

Your boiler's computer has lost the ability to communicate with its internal control sensors, so it has shut down as a precaution.

High Engineer only £150-300

Parts commonly replaced

  • Main PCB (Printed Circuit Board)
  • Wiring harness

Related codes

F12

Your boiler's electronic control panel has lost communication with the main computer inside the unit, meaning the boiler has stopped working because it cannot receive instructions.

High Engineer only £150-300

Parts commonly replaced

  • User interface display board
  • Main printed circuit board (PCB)
  • Communication ribbon cable

Related codes

F13

Your boiler's central control computer is not responding correctly, which has caused it to shut down for safety.

High Engineer only £250-450

Parts commonly replaced

  • Main Printed Circuit Board (PCB)

Related codes

F14

Your boiler has detected that the internal water temperature is dangerously high and will continue to shut itself off to prevent overheating.

High Engineer only £150-300

Parts commonly replaced

  • NTC thermistor
  • Pump
  • Diverter valve

Related codes

F16

Your boiler has detected that a flame is still burning inside even after it should have turned off, which is a safety concern that requires an immediate professional check.

Emergency Engineer only £150-300

Parts commonly replaced

  • Gas valve
  • Printed Circuit Board (PCB)
  • Flame rectification electrode
F17

Your boiler is not receiving enough electricity from your home's power supply to run correctly.

High Engineer only £120-250

Parts commonly replaced

  • Printed Circuit Board (PCB)
  • Wiring harness
  • Power supply unit
F18

Your boiler is struggling to communicate with its control display, which prevents it from functioning correctly.

High Engineer only £150-300

Parts commonly replaced

  • User interface board
  • Wiring harness
  • Main PCB
F19

Your boiler has lost the connection to the temperature sensor that monitors your heating system, meaning it cannot tell how hot the water is and has shut down as a safety precaution.

High Engineer only £120-220

Parts commonly replaced

  • NTC Temperature Sensor
  • Wiring harness / Cable loom

Related codes

F20

The internal computer systems of your boiler are having a communication mismatch, meaning the boiler has stopped working because it cannot properly coordinate its internal functions.

High Engineer only £150-300

Parts commonly replaced

  • PCB
  • Control module
F24

Your boiler has detected that the water returning to it from your radiators is dangerously hot, causing it to shut down to prevent damage.

High Engineer only £150-350

Parts commonly replaced

  • Pump
  • NTC thermistor
  • Primary heat exchanger
F25

Your boiler has detected that the water temperature is rising far too quickly, so it has shut down to prevent potential overheating.

High Engineer only £150-300

Parts commonly replaced

  • NTC Sensor
  • Pump
  • Main Heat Exchanger
F26

Your boiler has detected that the water temperature is rising too quickly compared to how fast it is circulating, suggesting a blockage or a failure in the pump moving water through your system.

High Engineer only £180-350

Parts commonly replaced

  • Circulation pump
  • Diverter valve
  • Primary heat exchanger