EA
Worcester Bosch Boiler
Severity: ModerateWhat it means
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
-
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. -
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. -
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. -
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times should I reset a Worcester Bosch boiler showing EA?
No more than 2–3 attempts. Repeated resets without resolving the cause are unsafe and can damage the boiler. If EA persists, call a Gas Safe engineer.
Is EA the same as E9 on a Worcester Bosch boiler?
No. EA is an ignition lockout (boiler failed to light). E9 is an overheating fault (boiler shut down due to high temperature). Different problems and different fixes.