Boiler Not Working? Here’s What to Do (Step-by-Step Guide)

Written By Paul Johnson

A broken boiler can be stressful, especially during colder months when you rely on heating and hot water the most. If your boiler has stopped working, don’t panic — there are a few simple checks you can carry out before calling a professional.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to do if your boiler isn’t working and when it’s time to contact a qualified heating engineer.

🔍 1. Check Your Boiler Pressure

Low boiler pressure is one of the most common reasons for a heating system to stop working.

  • Your pressure should usually be between 1 and 1.5 bar

  • If it’s too low, your boiler may shut down

👉 You can repressurise your system using the filling loop (check your manual if unsure)

🔌 2. Check the Power Supply

It might sound simple, but always check:

  • Is the boiler switched on?

  • Has a fuse tripped?

  • Is there a power cut?

👉 Reset your fuse box if needed

🔥 3. Reset Your Boiler

Many modern boilers have a reset button.

  • Press and hold the reset button for a few seconds

  • Wait for the boiler to restart

⚠️ If the fault returns, there may be a deeper issue.

🌡️ 4. Check Your Thermostat

Sometimes the issue isn’t the boiler itself.

  • Make sure your thermostat is turned up

  • Check batteries if it’s wireless

  • Ensure timers/programmes are set correctly

💧 5. Look for Frozen Pipes (Winter Issue)

In colder weather, your condensate pipe may freeze.

Signs include:

  • Gurgling noises

  • Boiler shutting down

👉 You can carefully thaw the pipe using warm (not boiling) water

🚨 6. Check for Error Codes

Most boilers display error codes when something is wrong.

  • Take note of the code

  • Refer to your boiler manual

  • This helps engineers diagnose faster

🛠️ When to Call a Heating Engineer

If you’ve tried the steps above and your boiler still isn’t working, it’s time to call a professional.

You should always contact a Gas Safe registered engineer if:

  • The boiler won’t restart

  • You smell gas

  • There are leaks

  • Error codes persist

🔧 Need Boiler Repair in the Midlands?

Our Cover Plans include boiler repairs.

  • Gas Safe registered engineers

  • Fast response times

  • Honest, transparent pricing

👉 Contact us today to get your heating back up and running

Paul Johnson