Overview
E270 on a Baxi GA range can mean different things on different documents but is most commonly reported as a serious electrical or safety lockout fault. In some Baxi references E270 is logged as a wrong power supply frequency (Hz) or power-related fault, while other guides group E270 with circulation/dry-fire type faults. Practically this means the boiler has detected a condition it considers unsafe to run — either an abnormal mains supply or a fault that could indicate the boiler ran or attempted to run without correct water circulation (dry fire) or other internal fault. Any condition that risks overheating the heat exchanger or operates the boiler with incorrect electrical supply is potentially damaging and should be treated as serious. Severity is medium-to-high. If the cause is power-supply related (wrong frequency, low voltage, unstable mains) the boiler may be protecting itself from electrical damage; if the cause is dry fire or loss of circulation, the heat exchanger or pump can be damaged if allowed to run. Some temporary causes can be cleared by a safe reset, topping up low pressure or restoring correct mains supply; however repeated occurrences or any sign of gas smell, overheating, or evidence of dry firing require immediate professional attention. This is not generally a full DIY repair — homeowners can do basic checks and safe resets but must call a Gas Safe registered engineer or a qualified electrician if the fault persists or if dry fire/overheat or electrical supply problems are suspected.
Possible Cause: Dry fire
Troubleshooting Steps
Safety precautions:
- If you smell gas, evacuate the property immediately, do not operate electrical switches, and call the gas emergency number. Do not attempt any repairs.
- If the boiler is very hot, noisy, or making unusual sounds, switch it off at the boiler and isolate the electrical supply at the fused spur or consumer unit. Let it cool before doing any checks.
- Do not repeatedly press reset more than once or twice. Repeated resets can mask or worsen faults.
Initial homeowner checks:
1. Note the exact displayed code and any behavior (locked out, flashing lights, intermittent). Take a photo if useful for the engineer.
2. Check the boiler pressure on the gauge. Target pressure for most Baxi boilers is around 1.0–1.5 bar when cold. If pressure is below about 0.5 bar, top up using the filling loop per your boiler handbook and re-check the fault.
3. Check the household electrical supply: are other appliances working? Has the consumer unit tripped an MCB or RCD? Reset tripped breakers only if you understand why they tripped. If you are using a generator, inverter, UPS or exotic supply, disconnect it and test on normal mains — some generators/inverters can supply incorrect frequency or unstable voltage and trigger E270.
4. Try a controlled reset: find the boiler reset button or selector (often marked R or a flame symbol). Hold the reset for 5–10 seconds and allow the boiler to attempt a restart. Wait to see if the code clears and the boiler returns to normal. If it clears and the boiler runs normally, monitor for recurrence.
Specific diagnostic and fix steps (homeowner-level):
1. Low pressure / possible dry-fire signs:
- If pressure was low and you topped up, bleed a few radiators to remove trapped air and help restore circulation. Re-check pressure and attempt a single reset.
- Listen for the circulating pump when the boiler tries to run. If you hear no pump noise when there should be flow, the system may have a circulation fault; do not try disassembly — call a professional.
2. Electrical/power supply checks:
- If other household electrics are fine but the boiler shows E270, try switching the boiler off at the fused spur for 60 seconds and back on, then attempt a reset. If your property uses an inverter/generator, test the boiler on true mains supply; if E270 only occurs on backed-up supply the frequency/quality is likely the cause.
- If the boiler displays additional low-voltage indicators or you suspect low mains voltage, contact a qualified electrician or your distribution network operator. Do not attempt internal electrical repairs.
3. If the boiler has been running dry or you suspect dry-fire damage (signs: unusually high temperatures, burning smell, steam, sudden loss of heating while boiler was running, evidence of recent low water pressure):
- Immediately turn the boiler off at the electrical isolation and the gas supply if it is safe to do so.
- Do not restart the appliance. Dry-fire can crack or severely damage the heat exchanger; further operation risks more damage and unsafe conditions.
4. If a frozen condensate pipe or blocked flue is possible (different codes often flag these, but they can contribute to lockouts), inspect external condensate pipe if accessible. If frozen, thaw with warm (not boiling) water and try a reset once thawed.
When to call a professional:
- If the fault does not clear after a single safe reset and basic checks (pressure, filling up, bleeding radiators, power-cycle), call a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- If you suspect dry-fire, overheat, heat exchanger damage, pump failure or an electrical supply/frequency issue, book a qualified engineer and a qualified electrician if mains supply problems are suspected.
- If you smell gas, see signs of combustion problems, or the boiler repeatedly locks out, treat as an emergency.
Information to give the engineer:
- Exact fault code and any additional LEDs or flashing sequences, circumstances when it happened (power cut, low pressure, after topping up, after generator use), boiler model and serial if available, and what troubleshooting you performed.
Final note: E270 on a Baxi GA can indicate either a power-supply protection fault or a serious circulation/dry-fire condition. Basic checks and a single reset are acceptable for homeowners, but do not attempt internal repairs or continue running the boiler if the fault suggests dry firing, overheating or persistent electrical issues. Call a Gas Safe registered engineer and, where electrical supply quality is in doubt, a qualified electrician.
Helpful Resources
Boiler Manual
Download the official PDF manual for the Baxi GA Range.