Boiler
EA 213
The EA 213 error code on a Worcester Bosch boiler indicates a flame detection or ignition fault — the boiler is failing to light or confirm a stable flame. This is a lockout error that requires prompt attention, as your heating and hot water will be off until it is resolved.
What does this error mean?
EA 213 tells you the boiler’s control board cannot detect a proper flame signal after attempting to ignite. The boiler tries to light the burner, fails to get a confirmed flame response from the ionisation probe, and shuts itself down as a safety precaution. This is a lockout state — the boiler will not restart automatically without a manual reset, and repeated lockouts suggest an underlying fault that needs diagnosing.
Est. repair cost
£90–£200 for a Gas Safe engineer callout and ionisation probe or electrode replacement; £250–£450 if the gas valve requires replacement
🔍 Likely causes
🛠️ Step-by-step fix
Check your gas supply first: confirm other gas appliances (hob, gas fire) are working. If not, contact your gas supplier — the issue is with the supply, not the boiler.
Check your prepayment meter if you have one and top it up if needed, then wait a few minutes before proceeding.
Perform a manual reset: press and hold the reset button on your Worcester Bosch boiler for 3–5 seconds until you hear a click or the display clears. Allow the boiler up to 2 minutes to attempt a restart.
If the boiler fires up and runs normally, monitor it for 24 hours. A single lockout can occasionally be a one-off event caused by a temporary gas pressure dip.
If the error returns after one or two resets, stop resetting the boiler — repeated failed ignition attempts will not fix the underlying fault and can accelerate wear. Call a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Do NOT attempt to inspect, clean, or adjust the ignition electrodes, flame probe, gas valve, or burner yourself. Working on internal gas boiler components is illegal without Gas Safe registration and is potentially fatal.
📞 When to call a professional
Call a Gas Safe registered engineer if the EA 213 error returns after one or two resets, or if the boiler fails to light at all. Tell the engineer you have a Worcester Bosch boiler showing error code EA 213, that it is going into lockout on ignition, and how many times it has tripped. Do not attempt any internal inspection yourself — this is gas appliance work that legally requires a Gas Safe registered technician.
⚖️ Repair or replace?
A repair for EA 213 typically involves replacing the ionisation probe, ignition electrode, or gas valve — parts that are generally available and well-supported for Worcester Bosch models. If your boiler is under 10 years old and otherwise reliable, repair is almost always the right call. If the boiler is over 12–15 years old, factor in that a Worcester Bosch Greenstar replacement starts at around £1,800–£2,500 installed — repeated repairs on an ageing boiler rarely make financial sense.