Some ignition issues have simple causes that you can safely check yourself.
Common situations
Action
Carry out the basic checks below before arranging a repair.
Repeated ignition failures usually indicate a developing fault.
Common signs
Action
Arrange an inspection if the problem continues.
Some ignition faults require immediate professional attention.
Warning signs
Action
Switch the boiler off and contact a Gas Safe engineer immediately.
Contact a Gas Safe engineer if:
Ignoring repeated ignition faults can lead to complete boiler failure and more expensive repairs.
A boiler may fail to ignite because of low boiler pressure, a frozen condensate pipe, thermostat problems, ignition component failure, electrical issues or an interrupted gas supply. Identifying the underlying cause is the first step towards restoring your heating.
Clicking usually indicates that the ignition system is attempting to light the burner. If the boiler repeatedly clicks without igniting, the ignition electrode, flame sensor or gas supply may require professional inspection.
Yes. Many boilers will not ignite if the pressure falls below the recommended operating range. Check your pressure gauge and, if necessary, read our Boiler Losing Pressure guide to understand why the pressure may have dropped.
Yes, but only once. Most manufacturers recommend performing a single reset after checking the pressure and thermostat. If the boiler still won't ignite, repeated resets may make diagnosis more difficult and won't resolve the underlying fault.
Not always, but ignition faults should never be ignored. If you notice the smell of gas, burning odours or repeated lockouts, switch the boiler off and contact a Gas Safe engineer immediately.
A power interruption may reset your boiler or affect its controls. Check the electrical supply, reset the boiler once if recommended by the manufacturer and confirm that your thermostat is functioning correctly.
Yes. Keystone provides boiler ignition diagnostics and repairs throughout London. Our Gas Safe engineers work on all major boiler brands and can quickly identify faults affecting your heating or hot water.
The cost depends on the cause of the problem and whether replacement parts are required. Keystone provides transparent quotations after diagnosing the fault, so you'll know exactly what repair is needed before any work begins.
Yes. Our engineers repair and service leading manufacturers including Worcester Bosch, Vaillant, Ideal, Baxi, Glow-worm, Viessmann, Alpha, Potterton, Main and Vokera. Whether your boiler won't ignite, keeps locking out or displays fault codes, we can help restore your heating safely.