BoilerFaultCodes.com
E5218 High Lockout

Your boiler has shut down because the internal water temperature has become too hot, likely due to a lack of water flow or a circulation problem.

Call an engineer soon

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

Technical description: Flow temperature too high

What causes this fault?

This fault occurs when the water inside the boiler heats up too quickly or reaches an unsafe temperature, forcing the system to shut down for safety. The most common reason is a failure in the circulation pump or a blockage in the pipes, which prevents the hot water from moving away from the burner. It can also be caused by a faulty sensor that is incorrectly reporting the water temperature to the control board.

This issue often appears when the heating is first turned on after summer, as circulation pumps can seize up if they haven't been used for several months.

Typical repair cost £120-350 (including labour)

DIY fix possible

Check if all radiator valves are open to ensure water can flow.Check the boiler pressure gauge and top up to 1.5 bar if it is too low.Restart the boiler using the reset button to see if the fault clears.

Find a Gas Safe engineer

Search the official register for a qualified engineer in your area.

Gas Safe Register →

Protect yourself from future repair bills

A boiler cover plan would cover faults like E5218 — no call-out fees, no surprises.

Top rated
OpenFix
Boiler & heating care plans
Get a quote →
Hometree
from £12.95/month
Get a quote →
HomeServe
from £8.00/month
Get a quote →

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

Worcester Bosch Greenstar Si Combi / i System is discontinued — time for a new one?

Parts for discontinued models can be hard to find and expensive. A new A-rated boiler could save you money on both repairs and energy bills.

UK's #1 online installer
Boxt
Fixed-price online quotes. Next-day installation.
Get a free quote →
Heatable
Instant online boiler quotes from £1,499.
Get a free quote →
iHeat
Fast installation. Price match guarantee.
Get a free quote →

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

Related fault codes