EA
Worcester Bosch Boiler
Severity: ModerateWhat Does This Error Mean?
EA means the boiler tried to ignite but failed and locked out. Common causes are no gas supply, a frozen condensate pipe in winter, or a dirty ignition electrode.
Affected Models
- Worcester Greenstar 4000
- Worcester Greenstar 8000
- Worcester Greenstar i
- Worcester Greenstar CDi
- Worcester Highflow
Common Causes
- Gas supply turned off or low pressure
- Frozen condensate pipe in winter
- Dirty or worn ignition electrode
- Air in the gas line after recent gas work
- Faulty gas valve or PCB
How to Fix It
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Check the gas supply.
Verify the gas valve under the boiler is open and other gas appliances work. If nothing has gas, contact your gas supplier.
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Check the condensate pipe (winter).
The condensate pipe (usually a 22mm white plastic pipe outside) freezes in cold weather. Pour warm water over the external section to thaw. Insulate the pipe to prevent recurrence.
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Reset the boiler.
Press and hold the reset button on the front of the boiler for 3 seconds. The boiler will attempt to relight. If EA returns, the underlying cause has not been resolved.
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Call a Gas Safe engineer for persistent EA.
After 2–3 unsuccessful resets, do not continue trying. A registered engineer can test gas pressure, clean the ignition electrode, and inspect the gas valve.
When to Call a Professional
After basic checks (gas supply, condensate), call a Gas Safe engineer. Internal boiler work is unsafe and unlawful for non-registered persons in the UK.