Your boiler has shut down completely because one of its safety sensors has detected a problem with the internal temperature or pressure.
Book a Gas Safe engineer within 24–48 hours. Your boiler may be unsafe or could break down completely if left.
Technical description: The safety devices have been activated (lockout)
What causes this fault?
This fault occurs when the boiler's internal safety sensors detect that the system has become dangerously hot or the water pressure has dropped too low. The most common reason is a blockage or pump failure that prevents water from circulating correctly, causing the heat exchanger to exceed its safe operating limit. As a result, the boiler shuts down immediately to prevent any physical damage to the internal components.
This issue is more frequent in the autumn when heating systems are first turned on after summer, as pump seizing or air locks are common after long periods of inactivity.
Engineer required
This fault requires a Gas Safe registered engineer. Do not attempt gas-related repairs yourself.
Find a Gas Safe engineer
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A boiler cover plan would cover faults like E08 — 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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