Your boiler started to heat up but the flame went out unexpectedly, causing the system to shut down for safety.
Book a Gas Safe engineer within 24–48 hours. Your boiler may be unsafe or could break down completely if left.
Technical description: Flame failed during burner operation
What causes this fault?
This fault occurs when the boiler's control system loses the signal that a flame is present while it is supposed to be firing. The most common reasons are a dirty or worn sensor that can no longer 'see' the flame, or an unstable gas supply that causes the flame to flicker and go out. It can also be triggered if the burner is struggling to breathe due to a blocked flue or a build-up of debris inside the heat exchanger.
This fault is more common in winter, as extreme cold can cause the condensate pipe to freeze, backing up water into the boiler and extinguishing the flame.
DIY fix possible
Check if other gas appliances (like a hob) are working to confirm gas supplyEnsure your gas meter has credit if you use a pre-payment meterCheck that the condensate pipe (the plastic pipe leading outside) isn't frozen if it is very cold
Find a Gas Safe engineer
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A boiler cover plan would cover faults like 229 — 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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