Your boiler has stopped working because it cannot confirm that a flame is burning safely, leading to a complete shutdown for your protection.
Book a Gas Safe engineer within 24–48 hours. Your boiler may be unsafe or could break down completely if left.
Technical description: Burner in fault position. Internal fault. Check the flame monitoring (ionisation electrode and lead).
What causes this fault?
This fault occurs when the boiler's control system cannot detect a steady flame after the ignition process has started. The most common reason is that the sensor responsible for 'seeing' the flame is either dirty, worn out, or damaged, causing the boiler to shut down as a safety precaution. In some cases, it can also be caused by an inconsistent gas supply or a failing electronic control board.
Engineer required
This fault requires a Gas Safe registered engineer. Do not attempt gas-related repairs yourself.
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A boiler cover plan would cover faults like E5 — 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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