Error S.57

Safety precautions:

- If you suspect a gas smell, evacuate the property immediately and call the gas emergency number. Do not operate electrical switches.

- Work only in dry conditions and avoid touching internal components. If you are unsure, switch the boiler off at the mains and leave it off until an engineer can attend.

- Do not attempt to open or tamper with the gas valve, burner, or PCB yourself. Only carry out external checks and simple user controls described below.

Initial checks homeowners can do:

1. Look at the display: note S.57 and any other accompanying codes (for example F-codes such as F29 or F28). Take a photo of the display for reference.

2. Check whether the boiler is in Comfort (preheat) mode: if the letter C is shown in the display, comfort preheat may be active. Try switching comfort off via the hot water settings if it is on.

3. Ensure all hot taps are closed before restarting the boiler. The boiler can behave unexpectedly if a hot tap was left open during startup.

4. Check system water pressure on the pressure gauge. Typical cold system pressure is about 1–1.5 bar. If pressure is very low (near zero) top the system up using the filling loop (follow your manual) before trying to restart.

5. Check the external flue terminal and condensate drain: ensure the flue outlet is clear of debris, birds’ nests or snow/ice and that condensate pipework and tundish are not blocked or frozen.

6. Confirm gas supply: check other gas appliances (hob, fire) light to ensure gas is available and that the boiler’s gas isolation valve is open.

Specific diagnostic and fix steps (homeowner level):

1. Try a controlled reset: press and hold the boiler power/reset button for about 5 seconds (this is the normal reset method for EcoTEC touchscreen models). Wait for the boiler to go through its startup sequence. Do not press reset repeatedly in rapid succession; allow the boiler to attempt ignition.

2. If the S.57 message clears and boiler runs normally, monitor for reoccurrence. If it does not reappear, no further action is required other than watching performance.

3. If S.57 returns, check whether a related F-code appears (e.g., F29 flame loss or F28 ignition failure). These related faults point to flame or gas/ignition problems and require a professional.

4. If system pressure was low and you topped up the system, re-check for leaks and bleed radiators to remove air. Low pressure or airlocks can cause protection modes.

5. If condensate pipe is frozen (common in winter) carefully thaw the pipe with warm — not boiling — water or a warm cloth, then reset the boiler. A blocked condensate can cause safety shut-offs.

6. If comfort mode was on and appears to be cycling the boiler excessively, consider switching comfort off and testing whether the S.57 waiting state stops recurring.

When to call a professional:

- If S.57 persists after the above checks and resets.

- If the display also shows ignition or flame loss F-codes (for example F28, F29) or sensor/pressure related F-codes.

- If you find a gas-related issue (no gas supply, damaged gas valve, persistent flame failure) or any electrical or internal component fault.

- If you are unable or uncomfortable performing the checks above (topping up system pressure, thawing condensate pipe, or operating controls).

What to tell the engineer when you call:

- Provide the exact model (EcoTEC Pro or EcoTEC Plus), the S.57 message, any additional fault codes, and what actions you have already taken (resets attempted, pressure topped up, condensate thawed, etc.). Give them the photo of the display if you have one.

Final note:

- S.57 is a protection/waiting status rather than a single component failure. Basic resets and straightforward checks often clear it, but repeated or persistent S.57 indicates an underlying fault that requires diagnosis and repair by a Gas Safe registered heating engineer. Do not attempt internal repairs or replacements yourself.