- Boilers
- Gas boiler
F2
Ideal F2 on a gas boiler: flame loss or ignition lockout
Risk level
High
Professional inspection is recommended.
Urgency
High
Quick answer
On Ideal boilers, F2 means flame loss: the burner flame went out or did not stay lit. Check other gas appliances work and, with a prepayment meter, that there is credit, then reset once. If F2 returns, call Ideal or a Gas Safe engineer.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- This code involves the flame or the flue, so check that a working carbon monoxide alarm is fitted, as HSE strongly recommends. If it sounds, switch the boiler off, open windows, get everyone outside and call 0800 111 999.
- If you suspect a gas leak: put out any naked flame, do not operate electrical switches, open windows and doors, leave the home and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 from outside, as Ideal's guide gives the number.
Safe checks you can perform
- Other gas appliances
- Meter and prepayment credit
- One reset
- Gas pressure and flame circuit test
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Gas pressure at the boiler
- Do not attempt this professional task: Flame sensing check
- Do not attempt this professional task: Combustion and flue check
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Gas pressure at the boiler
What they doThe engineer measures the working gas pressure at the boiler and at the meter with a manometer while the boiler fires.
They must show youthe pressure readings.
In writingthe measured values against the manufacturer's figures.
Flame sensing check
What they doThe engineer checks the flame detection circuit, electrode and lead and measures the flame signal.
They must show youthe flame signal reading.
In writingthe result and the reference of any part replaced and why.
Combustion and flue check
What they doThe engineer checks the flue is intact and clear and measures combustion with a flue gas analyser.
They must show youthe analyser printout.
In writingthe readings and the flue condition.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Other gas appliances
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- check whether a gas hob or fire in the home lights normally.
- Result that matters:
- whether gas is reaching the home.
- If they also fail:
- the supply is the problem; check the meter next.
- If they work:
- the supply to the home is present; the boiler side becomes the focus.
- Evidence to keep:
- a note of which appliances work.
Evidence: Ideal Instinct2 user guide
Meter and prepayment credit
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- check the gas is on at the meter and, if it is a prepayment meter, that it has credit, as Ideal advises.
- Result that matters:
- whether gas is available.
- If credit was out or the supply off:
- restore it and reset; F2 should clear.
- If supply and credit are fine:
- go to the reset and call for help if it fails.
- Evidence to keep:
- a photo of the meter display or credit.
Evidence: Ideal Instinct2 user guide · Ideal Heating FAQ: what does my boiler fault code mean?
One reset
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- press the restart button; the boiler repeats its ignition sequence.
- Result that matters:
- whether the flame stays lit.
- If F2 returns:
- leave it; Ideal says to contact Ideal or a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- If it runs:
- note the time; a repeat confirms a boiler side fault.
- Evidence to keep:
- a photo of the display and a note of each reset.
Evidence: Ideal Instinct2 user guide · Ideal Heating FAQ: what does my boiler fault code mean?
Gas pressure and flame circuit test
- Who:
- Ideal or a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- How:
- measures gas pressure at the boiler, checks the flame sensing circuit and inspects burner and flue.
- Result that matters:
- where the flame is lost.
- If gas pressure is low:
- the supply or meter regulator is investigated.
- If pressure is right:
- flame sensing, burner or flue are examined.
- Evidence to keep:
- a job sheet with measured values.
Anyone working on gas appliances at home must be Gas Safe registered; the user never touches the gas valve, burner or electrodes.
Evidence: Ideal Instinct2 user guide · HSE gas safety for homeowners
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Boilers
- Brand
- Ideal Heating
- Product type
- Gas boiler
Known code variants
- Bosch F2
- Bosch F4
- Bosch induction F2
- DishDrawer F2
- E7015
- error F2 DishDrawer
- F 2
- F4
- Fisher & Paykel DishDrawer F2
- Fisher Paykel F2
- Gree F2
- Ideal boiler F2
- Ideal boiler F2 flame loss
- Ideal F02
- Ideal F2
- Ideal Logic F2
- microondas Whirlpool F2 teclado
- Neff E7015 placa
- Neff E8207 E8208 inducción
- Neff F2 placa
- Neff F4 placa
- Neff hob E7015
- Neff hob E8207 E8208
- Neff hob F2
- Neff hob F4
- placa inducción Bosch F2
- Whirlpool F2 over the range
- Whirlpool microondas F2
- Whirlpool microwave F2
- Whirlpool microwave F2 keypad
- Whirlpool over the range F2
What it means
Ideal's FAQ lists F2 as flame loss or ignition lockout, and the Instinct2 user guide as flame loss. The boiler watches its flame and locks out when it disappears. Ideal's user checks look at the gas supply to the home: other gas appliances, the meter and prepayment credit. Beyond that, gas pressure at the boiler, the flame sensing circuit, the burner and the flue need a Gas Safe registered engineer. F2 alone does not show which of these lost the flame.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Higheditorial warning
This code involves the flame or the flue, so check that a working carbon monoxide alarm is fitted, as HSE strongly recommends. If it sounds, switch the boiler off, open windows, get everyone outside and call 0800 111 999.
Evidence: Ideal Instinct2 user guide · HSE gas safety for homeowners
- Criticaleditorial warning
If you suspect a gas leak: put out any naked flame, do not operate electrical switches, open windows and doors, leave the home and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 from outside, as Ideal's guide gives the number.
Evidence: Ideal Instinct2 user guide · HSE gas safety for homeowners
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- No gas reaching the homeCommon
Fits if other gas appliances also fail or a prepayment meter has run out; Ideal points to the meter and credit first.
Evidence: Ideal Instinct2 user guide · Ideal Heating FAQ: what does my boiler fault code mean?
- Low gas pressure at the boilerPossible
Fits if other appliances work but the boiler still loses its flame; only an engineer can measure it.
Evidence: Ideal Instinct2 user guide · HSE gas safety for homeowners
- Flame sensing, burner or flue faultPossible
Fits if gas supply is proven and F2 repeats; these are internal checks for Ideal or a Gas Safe engineer.
Evidence: Ideal Instinct2 user guide
Virtual technician
Does F2 still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
Ideal Heating · 2023 · manual
- 2
Health and Safety Executive · official_doc
- 3
Ideal Heating FAQ: what does my boiler fault code mean?
Ideal Heating · official_doc
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