How to Reset a Vaillant Boiler

Has your Vaillant boiler shut down? If it has, chances are that your boiler detected a fault and, as a precaution, shut itself down. Although this can be frustrating, a lockout is essential as it will protect your boiler from potentially being damaged.

This article explains how to reset your Vaillant boiler if it shuts down. As well as some of the reasons it may have happened.

If, after reading this article, you’re still struggling to reset your boiler, get in touch with a professional boiler repair and maintenance specialist.

Jump to a topic using the links below:

1. Where is the reset button on a Vaillant boiler?
2. How to reset a Vaillant boiler
3. What to do if your boiler won’t reset
4. Three common reasons for the need to reset a Vaillant boiler
5. Low Water Pressure
6. High Water Pressure
7. Boiler Leaks
8. How to prevent boiler breakdowns

Where is the reset button?

A Vaillant boilers reset button can only be easy to find if you know what you are looking for. On the front of the boiler, typically towards the bottom, you will find a series of buttons and a digital display on a control panel. One of the buttons will have a small flame either next to it or directly on the button – this is your reset button.

See the image below for the reset button highlighted in orange on a Vaillant EcoFit Pure.

How to reset a Vaillant boiler

To reset your boiler follow the step listed below:

1. Press and firmly hold the reset button for 6-8 seconds.
2. If the digital display showed an error code before resetting, check to see if it has cleared.
3. Check if the flame has ignited or if you can hear the boiler working.
4. Test the boiler by waiting ten minutes and running a hot water tap to see if hot water is flowing through your central heating system.

What to do if the boiler won’t reset

Some Vaillant models can take a few minutes to reset, so make sure you have left sufficient time for the system to shut down and restart. 

If your boiler doesn’t restart and the digital display screen shows an error code, you need to contact a Gas Safe registered engineer.

It is important to note that if you successfully reset your boiler and its function correctly, further shutdowns may indicate a persistent fault. In this case, you should still contact a boiler technician.

Three common reasons for needing to reset a Vaillant boiler

If you regularly experience boiler lockouts, there is likely an underlying issue. Unfortunately, resetting your boiler won’t fix any faults, so you should take steps to investigate the underlying problem. However, many common issues cause a boiler to shut down, and we will give you an overview of the three main culprits.

Low Water Pressure

Vaillant, like any other boiler, requires a specific level of water pressure to function correctly. If your water pressure drops below 1.5 bar, the system has to work harder to move water through your central heating system. In this case, your boiler will likely shut down, and your digital display will present an error code (commonly the F.22 fault code).

If you experience low water pressure, look at this handy guide to the F.22 fault. If, after following the advice in the article, you still have a problem, you should call a Vaillant-trained boiler engineer.

High Water Pressure

We have already established that low water pressure will cause your boiler to shut down. In contrast, high water pressure will also do the same.

If your pressure gauge is reading above 2.5 bar consistently, your water pressure is too high. You may be able to remedy this problem yourself by bleeding your radiators.

If bleeding your radiators doesn’t fix the high water pressure, get in touch with a Gas Safe Engineer.

Boiler Leaks

Leaks are one of the most common issues you may experience with your boiler. The concern with water leaks is that you will need to repair your boiler and may also have to repair water damage. As a result, early detection is essential to preventing costly repairs.

As soon as you notice a leak, no matter how small, contact a central heating leak detection expert. They will be able to find the source of the link and repair it.

How to prevent boiler breakdowns

The best way to prevent boiler breakdowns and regular restarts is to invest in an annual boiler service. An annual boiler service is like your car’s MOT. Your boiler engineer will test your central heating system to ensure it’s working efficiently and be able to recognise potential faults before they happen. As a result, you save money on emergency repairs and the possible cost of a new boiler – which can cost between £2500-£4000 to replace.

Useful links

• Vaillant Technical Support
• Vaillant Fault Codes

About the author

Trades Team are experts in Heating, Plumbing and Gas Services. We have 15 years of experience providing expert Boiler Repair and Boiler Servicing to homes and businesses across the Southeast. Learn more about Trades Team.