Worcester Bosch 224 error code – causes & how to fix it

Worcester Bosch boilers are some of the best you can get on the market right now, with Worcester Bosch being one of the most popular boiler brands in the UK.

Occasionally, you may get a fault code if your boiler is having issues, much like the Worcester 224 fault code.

When this error code is displayed, you may have an overheated boiler, which can be rather dangerous to you and your boiler.

This issue can cause your boiler to stop working properly, so getting it fixed as soon as possible is the best option in this case.

Most of the time when dealing with error codes, it is best to call a Gas-Safe registered engineer to come and examine your Worcester Bosch boiler.

This boiler service will help you find out anything else wrong with your boiler and the gas engineer should be able to stop your boiler from overheating.

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How to fix a Worcester 224 fault code

When you see this fault code appear on your boiler’s display, it usually means that something is causing your boiler to overheat and your boiler may shut down as a safety measure.

Most modern boilers, especially Worcester Bosch boilers, will have a security or safety feature put in place to shut down in case of emergencies.

If you leave your boiler thinking that everything is fine after seeing this fault code appear, then it may cause your boiler to break down. Once this happens, there will likely be continuous problems for your boiler and, with it, comes costly repairs.

It is best to get this issue sorted out as soon as you see it to prevent any further complications in the future. The best option is to ring up a Gas-Safe engineer to look at it, as attempting to fix the boiler yourself could mean you damage the boiler even more or potentially harm yourself.

There are a number of different reasons why you have an overheated boiler and why the Worcester 224 fault code is showing up, which we will explain in this guide.

Causes of 224 fault code

Frozen condensate pipe

During the Winter when it is colder, a lot of components outside of your home have a chance of freezing if not properly heated or insulated. A condensate pipe is one of these, as the water that flows through the pipe can sometimes collect in areas such as the joints or the ends and freeze, creating a blocked condensate pipe.

When this is blocked, it would mean that the acidic wastewater isn’t being distributed out of your house and could be a reason for a boiler overheating.

This is one of the few boiler problems that you can actually deal with yourself, but calling a heating engineer to deal with it is also recommended if you aren’t feeling confident enough. To unfreeze the blocked condensate pipe, you should heat some water up in the kettle to the point where it is warm, but not boiling, and carefully pour the water over the pipe to slowly melt the ice away and unblock it.

Additionally, you can pour warm water into a water bottle and place it next to the frozen condensate pipe to slowly thaw it out, now allowing the wastewater to go through the pipe and be dealt with.

To help stop your condensate pipe from freezing going forward, you can insulate your pipe with a layer of foam insulation so that it has more protection from the cold and is much harder to freeze than the plastic of the condensate pipe.

Faulty pump

Your central heating pump is a component of your boiler that circulates hot water around your central heating system. It can sometimes get too much air in it and, when this happens, it will be air locked and become stuck, causing your boiler to not work as it should.

To tell if your central heating pump is air locked, you should check the pressure reading of your boiler to ensure the system pressure is as it should be. The recommended boiler pressure is between 1 and 1.5 bars, meaning if it is outside of this range, it needs to be adjusted.

When removing this trapped air, you will need a bleed screw that will allow you to unlock your central heating pump and let out the trapped air. Once this is done, reset your boiler, which should return it to normal operation.

In the case that your pump is broken and cannot easily be fixed, calling a heating engineer to come and examine, and potentially fit a new one is the most appropriate thing to do. You will likely have to pay a fee for the service by the engineer, but parts may be potentially covered if you have Worcester boiler warranty.

Stuck pressure release valve

Your pressure valve is a device that allows your boiler to safely release pressurised fluids so there isn’t a dangerous build-up of pressure. If this pressure valve were to get stuck, a high volume of pressure could build up in your Worcester boiler, causing your boiler to overheat and eventually shut down.

To get your release valve loose, all you have to do is turn the valve however you can which should get it loose and let out the pressurised fluids. This release should prevent your boiler from overheating and, after a reset, should get rid of the 227 fault code.

Releasing the valve can be done by turning it with your hand, perhaps using some sort of fabric or cloth to get a better grip on it. If this isn’t successful, you may have to use tools to release the valve, such as a spanner as this will likely be much easier and require less work.

If you don’t have the tools or aren’t confident enough to loosen the pressure release valve yourself, you can call a Gas-Safe registered engineer to come and do it for you at a service fee.

Faulty boiler fan

The boiler fan in your Worcester Bosch boiler is a part that gets rid of any unwanted gases or particles whilst also allowing fresh air into the combustion chamber so gases are burnt properly. When this component is broken or damaged, it won’t expel these gases safely and correctly which will likely cause your boiler to perform an emergency shutdown.

To fix a faulty or broken boiler fan, you should get a Gas-Safe engineer to come to your property to examine and repair, or replace the part to get your boiler back to normal operation. Doing this yourself is quite a complicated procedure, so getting a gas engineer to do it will likely save you a lot of time and frustration.

What Worcester 224 fault code means

A Worcester error code will show up when something has gone wrong with your boiler or one of your boiler components causing it to be inefficient. Most modern boilers perform an emergency shutdown, called a boiler lockout, in case of very serious or harmful Worcester Bosch fault codes to look out for your household’s well-being and the condition of the boiler.

A Worcester 224 fault code will mean that you have an overheated boiler, which can cause quite a few issues for your boiler if left. A boiler overheating could cause internal and external parts of your boiler to melt, potentially producing toxic gases that are dangerous to your household and, in some of the worst cases, an overheated boiler can explode if too hot or if it has been heated for too long.

This is extremely unlikely, however, as the previously mentioned boiler lockout would stop your central heating system from working altogether. Nonetheless, you will still want to avoid this unlikely scenario by calling a Gas-Safe registered engineer to come and service your boiler and repair it back to its best.

Worcester Bosch service cost

The cost of getting your boiler serviced can range from £80-£125, with there being quite a few factors that can affect this price. Some of them include the type of boiler you have, the brand and model you have, and at what point of the year you want to get your boiler serviced.

Getting your Worcester Bosch boiler serviced regularly is something all gas boiler owners should get into the habit of. Boiler service can make sure your boiler issues can be routed out before they even occur and will help keep your Worcester Bosch boiler in the best condition possible.

You will have to pay a service fee for your gas engineer’s time and work, but this will likely cost less long-term than any problems that do occur with your boiler that will need fixing or replacing.

Worcester Bosch boilers at a fixed price

When you’re constantly experiencing issues with your Worcester Bosch boiler, it might be telling you that it is time to get a replacement boiler. Getting a new boiler could actually end up costing less for you long-term, despite the initial price, as you won’t be having to pay for repairs all of the time.

You can find out more about brand-new boiler quotes online for a Worcester Boiler.