Your boiler is struggling to keep its burner lit and has turned itself off for safety after several failed attempts to maintain a steady flame.
Book a Gas Safe engineer within 24–48 hours. Your boiler may be unsafe or could break down completely if left.
Technical description: Loss of flame too many times
What causes this fault?
This fault occurs when the boiler's internal sensors detect that the flame is unstable or keeps going out during operation. The most common reasons are a buildup of carbon on the ignition parts, a blockage in the drainage system, or an inconsistent supply of gas preventing a steady burn. After several failed attempts to keep the flame lit, the boiler shuts down as a safety precaution.
This fault is more frequent during extreme cold spells, as a frozen condensate pipe can cause water to back up into the boiler and extinguish the flame.
DIY fix possible
Check that your gas prepayment meter has credit (if applicable)Verify that other gas appliances, like a hob, are working correctly to ensure gas supplyPress the 'Reset' button on the boiler display panel onceCheck that the condensate pipe outside is not frozen or blocked
Find a Gas Safe engineer
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A boiler cover plan would cover faults like 2951 — 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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