How to reset a Vaillant boiler and ecoTEC models yourself
Vaillant boilers that are not powering up properly can be a sign of a serious problem and leave you without central heating and no hot water, however, modern devices will automatically enter “lockout” if there is an issue or potential safety risk.
Your Vaillant boiler may shut down due to a variety of reasons which we will go through just in case, however, if you want to try resetting your Vaillant ecoTEC boiler first, it may solve the problems you are having, if it doesn’t then hopefully we can help.
is your Vaillant boiler over 10 years old? If so it may be time for a new one to save on repair costs and higher energy bills due to inefficiency.
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Reasons your Vaillant boiler needs to be reset
Here is a list of common Vaillant boiler problems that can be fixed by pressing the gas boiler reset button:
- The gas supply is poor
- Leaking water in the boiler heating system
- Low pressure
- Overheating
- Faulty electrical component
- The device may have worn-out or damaged components.
- Blocked heat exchanger
- Insufficient flue intake
- Ignition failure
If any of these occur or a reset is necessary for another reason, A Vaillant ecoTEC boiler will display an error such as fault code F21 to indicate the pilot light problem.
What’s a Boiler Lockout?
A Vaillant boiler lockout is when the heating system fails to work properly. With a lockout, you will get no hot water to your taps or central heating system.
For modern boilers, a reset is the most common solution. Therefore a reset is usually the first solution to fix the issue such as the F75 error code.
Where is the Vaillant reset button?
First, locate the button that resets your boiler and on Vaillant ecoTEC boilers, you’ll find it near the display screen.
However, some boilers use a reset dial instead of a button, so for more information, refer to your instruction manual.
How to reset your Vaillant boiler
Before attempting to reset your Vaillant boiler, you must first resolve the problem.
You can check the boiler error code displayed on your boiler display screen.
Then, refer to your instruction manual for details about the issue. Except for minor repairs (Frozen condensate pipe or bleeding radiators), any errors should be inspected by a Gas Safe Registered engineer.
After you are satisfied with the resolution, the next steps can be taken:
- Find the reset button on your boiler
You will see a flame flashing or cross on the button. It should also be marked RESET in your instruction book. This will be marked in your boiler’s instruction manual. It will also include a detailed diagram for your particular model. - Hold the reset button down.
Do not press the reset button more than once. This could cause damage to the boiler’s control panel. This could lead to higher repair costs. - For 3 seconds, hold the reset button.
After holding the button for 3 seconds, your boiler should be visible as changes on the display. Do not hold down for longer than 10 seconds. We recommend calling a Gas Safe Engineer if a fault code is still present after a reset. - Additional resets
If the lockout continues or reoccurs after three resets, you should seek assistance from a heating engineer.
Resetting a Vaillant ecoTEC boiler reasons
Your boiler may have been reset successfully without further problems.
Your boiler’s shutting down could be an indication of serious or major issues that need to be addressed to prevent further damage or lockouts.
If you find that your boiler is constantly locked out, it should be fixed immediately.
Talk to a Gas Safe registered engineer if you have any questions or consider replacing your boiler.
Gas supply or ignition failure
The gas supply or ignition failure could cause a boiler lockout.
There are many reasons why a boiler lockout could occur. The most common include a blocked flue, faulty gas valves, or issues with the ignition lead.
A Gas Safe engineer will be required to examine the problem before resetting it.
Low pressure
Your water pressure may be too low if it drops below 1.5 on the pressure gauge therefore this is something that you might be able to resolve on your own.
If you follow the instructions in the manual to repressurise the boiler.
However, if you find a leak, a Gas Safe registered heating engineer will be required to fix it.
High pressure
Your pressure gauge should not read above 2.5. You can resolve this by removing the radiators.
You should contact a qualified engineer if that fails to resolve the problem.
Boiler overheating
A blocked system or a failing pump could cause water to rise above a set temperature and heat the boiler.
The boiler will shut down automatically as a safety measure.
A professional must deal with these issues, so you shouldn’t attempt to fix them if this problem persists.
It’s probably safer to get a boiler replacement in the long run.
Settings for the thermostat
The thermostat controls the boiler heating system and ensures that the temperature of the property is maintained at your preferred level.
The thermostat will not turn on in a room with a temperature higher than your thermostat.
If the thermostat temperature is not correct, adjust it.
The boiler should then start to heat up and remember the ideal home temperature is 18-21 degrees Celsius.
Check the timer
The boiler might not heat up as you expect it to after a power cut. If this happens, you can refer to the manufacturer’s instruction manual to adjust the timer settings.
Check the fuse Box
If the boiler is not working, but the other electronic devices in the house are, check the fuse box. It may be a trip switch that must be reset.
Before you attempt to troubleshoot, you must refer to the instructions manual for your boiler.
If in doubt, contact a Gas Safe Registered engineer.
