Overview
E130 on a Baxi Platinum means the boiler has detected a problem with the flue NTC (negative temperature coefficient) sensor or the flue system and has tripped into lockout. The flue NTC measures the temperature of the flue gases; if it reads an unexpected value (open-circuit, short-circuit or an abnormal temperature), the boiler will shut down to protect against unsafe combustion or blocked exhaust. Common causes are a blocked or obstructed external flue terminal, a faulty or disconnected flue temperature sensor, damaged wiring or connectors, a seized or failing fan affecting flue flow, or external issues such as a frozen condensate/drain pipe causing abnormal operation. Severity ranges from low (a simple external blockage or frozen pipe that a homeowner can clear) to high (sensor failure, wiring fault, fan malfunction or blocked flue inside which can cause dangerous combustion/CO risks). Because the code indicates a safety-related shutdown, do not ignore it and avoid attempting invasive repairs yourself. Some simple checks and a reset can sometimes clear the code if the cause is external and obvious, but diagnostic testing, sensor replacement and any work on the gas or combustion parts must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. If you smell gas, evacuate and call the emergency gas number immediately; if in doubt, treat it as urgent and get a certified professional to attend.
Possible Cause: Flue NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) operation error
Troubleshooting Steps
Safety precautions:
1) If you smell gas, leave the building immediately and call the gas emergency number — do not operate electrical switches or the boiler. 2) Turn the boiler off at the control panel and isolate electrical power at the fused spur or consumer unit before doing any inspections. 3) Do not remove the boiler casing or attempt repairs inside the combustion area unless you are a Gas Safe engineer. 4) Keep children and pets away while you inspect the flue and surrounding area.
Initial homeowner checks (non-invasive):
1) Check the external flue terminal (outside wall). Look for bird nests, leaves, snow, ice or debris blocking the terminal and clear any visible obstruction by hand or with a brush. 2) If the temperature is below freezing, check condensate/drain pipes for ice. Warm frozen condensate pipes gently with warm (not boiling) water or a warm cloth; DO NOT use a naked flame. 3) Check the boiler display for any additional messages and note whether E130 clears after you remove an obvious external blockage. 4) Check boiler pressure gauge on the front panel — if the system pressure is very low (<0.5 bar) some models will show unrelated faults; top up pressure only following the user manual instructions. 5) Attempt a controlled reset using the boiler’s reset procedure in the manual (commonly press and hold the reset button for ~5 seconds or use the selector to R and hold) and watch whether the code returns immediately or after a short run.
If E130 returns after basic checks and reset:
1) Do not continue trying multiple resets. Persistent reoccurrence suggests an internal sensor, wiring or fan/flue fault. 2) Visually inspect any external wiring accessible without opening the boiler for obvious damage to cable or connectors leading to the flue sensor or fan — do not disconnect or probe internal terminals. 3) If the flue terminal was clear and condensate not frozen but code persists, arrange a visit from a Gas Safe registered engineer.
What a professional will check and do (for your information):
1) Use diagnostic tools to read flue NTC resistance and verify the sensor is within expected characteristics and that resistance changes with temperature. 2) Check continuity and insulation of wiring between the flue sensor and the PCB for open or short circuits and repair/replace damaged cable or connectors. 3) Inspect and test the fan operation and air/gas unit to ensure correct flue flow; replace or repair the fan if faulty. 4) Inspect the entire flue run for internal blockages, incorrect installation, collapsed flue liner or condensate/ice problems. 5) Replace the flue NTC sensor if faulty, then test the boiler through multiple heating/water calls to confirm stable operation and that the fault does not return. 6) Check the PCB and fault history for related errors (fan, flow/return sensors) and perform a full combustion and safety check after any repair.
Final notes and recommendation:
1) E130 is a safety lockout related to the flue or its temperature sensor. Because of the potential for unsafe combustion or carbon monoxide risk, if the basic external checks and a single safe reset do not solve the problem, you should call a Gas Safe registered engineer. 2) Do not attempt internal electrical, gas, fan or sensor replacement work yourself. 3) Keep a record of the fault code, any conditions when it happened (heavy snow, bird activity, freezing), and what you checked — this helps the engineer diagnose faster when they attend.
Helpful Resources
Boiler Manual
Download the official PDF manual for the Baxi Platinum.