High
F.23 on Vaillant ecoTEC Pro 28

Your boiler has shut down because water isn't moving through the system quickly enough, causing it to overheat too rapidly.

Call an engineer soon

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

What the manual says

Manufacturer manual

Safety switch-off: Temp. spread too large - Temperature spread too great. Water circulation too low

Shared across the range
This code is shared by the boilers in this range, which use the same control board. It may not be printed in this exact variant’s manual.
Plain-English guidance below. Severity, DIY steps, costs and parts are our interpretation to help you act, not text from the manual.

What causes this fault?

This fault occurs when the boiler's internal sensors detect that water is heating up too quickly or that there is a massive temperature difference between the pipes going out and coming back. The most common reason is a blockage or a failing pump preventing the water from circulating through your radiators. It essentially means the heat being generated has nowhere to go, so the boiler shuts down to prevent internal damage from overheating.

This fault is frequently seen at the start of autumn when heating systems are turned back on after being idle, as pump components can seize or sludge can settle during the summer months.

Engineer required

This is a high severity fault. Stop using the boiler and call a Gas Safe registered engineer. Do not attempt gas-related repairs yourself.

Find a Gas Safe engineer
Search the official register →

Avoid the next call-out bill

A cover plan would handle faults like F.23: no call-out fees, no surprise bills.

Approved partner
Domestic Appliance Guard
Unlimited call-outs, 24/7 helpline, no price-hike promise
Get a quote →

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

Related fault codes

Related guides you might find useful