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BoilerCodes
F.20Vaillant

Vaillant F.20: the safety cut-out has stopped the gas because the boiler overheated

Checked against Vaillant's own documentation: Vaillant: boiler fault codes list and 1 more source. Last reviewed October 2026. How we check

Engineer only

The water temperature went above the boiler's safe limit, so a safety device closed the gas valve. Repeatedly resetting it isn't safe.

What you can safely do

There is nothing you can safely do yourself with this one. Leave the boiler off and book an engineer.

Before you book an engineer

  • Write down the code exactly as the display shows it: F.20.
  • Find your boiler's model name. It is usually on the front panel or in the user manual. The table below shows why it matters: Vaillant codes can mean different things on different models.
  • Note when it started and what the boiler was doing (heating, hot water, or starting up).
  • If the boiler is still under warranty, check your warranty paperwork before you book anyone.

Call a Gas Safe engineer if

  • Book a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Find a Gas Safe engineer near you Opens the official Gas Safe Register search.

Applies to Vaillant boilers (Vaillant's fault code list). Codes can differ between models, so check your manual.

What F.20 means on each Vaillant model

From Vaillant's own fault tables. Your model name is usually on the front of the boiler or in the user manual.

ModelMeaning
Vaillant boilers (Vaillant's fault code list)The safety cut-out has closed the gas valve because the flow or return temperature exceeded the maximum

Common questions about Vaillant F.20

Should I keep resetting F.20?

No. F.20 is a safety shutdown for overheating. Leave the boiler off and book an engineer.

Nearby Vaillant codes

See all 36 Vaillant codes

Sources

Last reviewed October 2026. Spotted something that doesn't match your manual? Email hello@boilercodes.co.uk and we'll check it. How we check