Why Is My Hot Water Not Working?

There’s nothing worse than jumping into the shower and getting hit with freezing cold water. If your hot water’s stopped working out of the blue, don’t panic — there are a few common issues that could be to blame. Here are some quick checks you can do yourself before calling out a heating engineer.

1. Check for Boiler Error Codes

Most modern boilers will show an error code when something goes wrong. A few examples:

• Baxi: E118 usually means low water pressure
• Vaillant or Glow-worm: F75 also points to pressure issues

Grab your boiler manual (or Google the model + error code) — you might find a quick fix, like topping up the pressure or resetting the system.

2. Check the Boiler Pressure

Low pressure is one of the most common reasons for hot water problems. Take a look at the pressure gauge on the front of your boiler — it should be sitting between 1 and 1.5 bar. If it’s lower, you may need to use the filling loop to top it up. Just be careful and follow the steps in your boiler’s manual.

3. Is the Gas Supply Working?

If your boiler runs on gas, check that it’s actually getting a supply. Try switching on your gas hob or fire to see if that’s working. No gas? Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.

4. Double-Check Your Thermostat and Timer

Sometimes the issue is as simple as a timer or thermostat setting that’s off. After a power cut or the clocks changing, your boiler might be running at the wrong time. Make sure your heating and hot water schedules are set up correctly, and that the thermostat is set above 21°C.

5. Try Resetting the Boiler

Most boilers have a reset button — check your manual if you’re not sure where it is. A quick reset can often clear simple faults. If it doesn’t come back on, don’t keep resetting it — that’s a job for a professional.

6. Could It Be a Frozen Pipe?

In colder weather, your condensate pipe (usually a white pipe leading outside) might freeze. That can cause a blockage and shut your boiler down. If you think this might be the issue:

• Pour warm (not boiling) water over the pipe
• Wrap it in a warm cloth or bring a hot water bottle outside

Once thawed, try resetting the boiler again.

Still No Hot Water?

If you’ve tried all the above and your hot water still isn’t working, it’s time to call in the pros. You could be dealing with:

• A faulty diverter valve or heat exchanger
• Wiring or electrical issues inside the boiler
• Corrosion or internal damage

These issues need proper diagnosis and safe repair — and that’s where we come in.

Need a Trusted Boiler Engineer?

At Jones Heating, we deal with hot water problems day in, day out. Our engineers are based in Dunfermline and cover Kirkcaldy, South Queensferry, and surrounding areas.

Whether you need a fast boiler repair, a full boiler installation, or a regular boiler service, we’ve got your back.

We’ll get your hot water sorted — no stress, no hassle, just honest service.