Record the complete display before resetting anything. EA is a fault-code family on some Worcester Bosch boilers, and the additional digits change what it means.

Check for an emergency first
If you smell gas, suspect a gas leak or a carbon-monoxide alarm sounds, stop troubleshooting and leave the building. For a suspected mains-gas emergency in Great Britain, call 0800 111 999 from a safe place outside. For LPG, contact the emergency number supplied by your LPG provider. Do not operate electrical switches or use flames. Never remove the boiler casing or attempt work on gas, combustion or electrical components.
What does EA mean on a Worcester Bosch boiler?
On the Greenstar i ErP range covered by Worcester’s linked technical manual, EA 227 means that a flame signal was not detected after an ignition attempt. EA 229 concerns loss of that signal during operation; other EA combinations have different meanings. These examples are model-specific, not a diagnosis for every Worcester appliance.
Photograph the full code, including any alternating three-digit number, and find the exact model name in your paperwork or on an accessible label. Use the matching user manual. A code identifies something to investigate; it does not identify a part to replace.
What can you check without opening the boiler?
- Note when the fault began, whether it follows freezing weather, and whether heating or hot water stopped.
- Read the display and any accessible pressure gauge without opening the casing.
- Check for a supply interruption or a prepayment-meter message using the supplier’s normal customer guidance. Do not interfere with the meter or gas fittings.
- Look from a safe, accessible position for an obvious external condensate obstruction. Never disconnect pipework or work at height.
A frozen condensate pipe can be one cause of a winter shutdown, but an EA display does not prove that this is the cause. Gurgling, the weather and the pipe arrangement are useful information for an engineer.
Should you reset an EA fault?
Use only the reset procedure permitted by the user manual for your exact model, and only when there is no suspected gas or carbon-monoxide emergency. If the fault remains or returns, stop repeated resets and arrange diagnosis. Do not use a different model’s button sequence or try to bypass a lockout.
Ignition, flame-detection and internal component checks belong to a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer. Keep a record of the original code even if the display clears.
Prepare for a diagnostic visit
SwiftHeat UK Group Ltd offers an initial boiler diagnostic visit for £85 including VAT in Cardiff and South Wales, subject to availability. Parts and further repair work are quoted separately. Tell us your postcode, make, model, full fault code and whether heating, hot water or both are affected. If you rent, report the fault to your landlord or managing agent first.
See our boiler diagnosis and repair service. A fault code does not by itself establish that a boiler needs replacing.
If you also notice falling system pressure, read our guide to recurring pressure loss. Check existing manufacturer cover before commissioning chargeable work.
Manufacturer guidance and further reading
Published by SwiftHeat UK Group Ltd using the manufacturer resources below, consulted on 28 October 2026. Follow the user manual for your exact appliance; this guide does not replace an on-site diagnosis. About our heating guidance and how to raise a correction.
- National Gas: emergency contacts and gas-safety advice
- Worcester Bosch: blocked condensate symptoms
- Worcester Bosch Greenstar i ErP technical manual: model-specific EA codes (engineer reference)
- Worcester Bosch Greenstar i System Compact ErP user instructions: faults and emergency advice
- Find the Worcester Bosch user manual for your exact appliance
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