IDEALBOILER

Ideal · Boiler

Ideal F2 error code

Flame lost or failed to light

The boiler lost its flame or couldn't light, so it has locked out. Ideal calls F2 flame loss or ignition lockout.

Worth repairing?

Worth fixing

Gas credit, a closed valve or a frozen pipe cost nothing to sort. If it's none of those, an engineer needs to look at the ignition.

Can you do it yourself?

Easy

About 30 minutes

Before you start

  • Never take the boiler's cover off. Anything inside is a job for a Gas Safe registered engineer.
  • Never pour boiling water on the condensate pipe: Ideal says it may crack it.
  • Smell gas? Turn it off at the meter and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.

What to check, in order

  1. Check your gas credit

    If your gas meter is pay-as-you-go, make sure there's credit on it.

  2. Try another gas appliance

    If other gas appliances in your home don't work either, Ideal says to contact a local gas engineer. If you have no other gas appliances, check the gas is turned on at the meter.

  3. Check the yellow gas valve

    It's the yellow gas isolation valve under the boiler. When it's on, the handle points in the direction of the pipe.

  4. In freezing weather, thaw the condensate pipe

    Hold a hot water bottle or a microwavable heat pad around it, or pour tepid water over the frozen part.

  5. Reset the boiler

    Press the restart button.

When to call a Gas Safe engineer

If it still won't light, contact Ideal quoting F2 if the boiler is under warranty, or a Gas Safe registered engineer if not. If it gurgles as it tries to light, contact your installer: Ideal says there may be a blockage.

Parts people end up buying

Only if the checks above point to a part. Match it to your model number first: it's on a label on the data badge, usually under the boiler or behind the front cover.

Affiliate links: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. It never changes a verdict.

Checked against

Last reviewed September 2026. Manufacturers update their pages, and your manual is the final word.

↑ ↓ to moveEnter to openTip: add the brand, like samsung 4e