Ideal boiler displays F1 and will not fire, no heating or hot water

Safety first: Turn the boiler off at the control panel and allow it to cool. Do not work on gas components. If you smell gas, stop and call a Gas Safe registered engineer and your gas supplier immediately.

Step-by-step checks (user level):

• Check the pressure gauge: On most Ideal combi and system boilers (e.g. Logic, Vogue, Independent), the pressure gauge should read around 1.0–1.5 bar when cold. If it is below 0.5–0.7 bar, the boiler will lock out with F1.
• Re-pressurise the system:
  • Locate the filling loop (usually a braided silver hose with two small valves, sometimes integrated under the boiler).
  • Turn off the boiler at the controls and mains switch.
  • Open one valve fully, then slowly open the second valve while watching the pressure gauge.
  • When the pressure reaches 1.0–1.2 bar, close both valves firmly.
  • Turn the boiler back on and reset it using the reset button or dial.
• Check for visible leaks: Inspect radiators, valves, and visible pipework for drips or staining. Check under the boiler for any water.
• Bleed radiators if noisy: If you recently bled radiators, you may have lost pressure. After bleeding, always top the pressure back up.

When to call an engineer: If pressure keeps dropping, if the filling loop is built-in and you are unsure how to use it, or if you suspect a leak inside the boiler (e.g. water marks or dripping from the case), contact a Gas Safe registered engineer. Internal leaks can damage the printed circuit board (PCB) and other components.