Worcester Greenstar Ri Troubleshooting [Common Problems & Fixes]

With most Worcester boilers, faults are few and far in between. However, even the best models from this venerable manufacturer occasionally succumb to the ills that plague all boilers.

Worry not, though; if your Worcester Ri is giving you a hard time, you’re in the right place. We’ve done lots of research and put together this Worcester Greenstar Ri troubleshooting guide, which will cover some of the most common problems with this range and walk you through possible fixes.

But, if you have consistent breakdowns and are sinking tonnes of cash into your old boiler, it might be time to consider a replacement. The cheapest place to get a Worcester boiler fitted is Heatable. They’ve partnered with all the major brands, including Worcester Bosch, and provide the industry’s best boiler prices. Get a fixed price (no personal details needed) on an installation using their boiler calculator.

Alternatively, keep reading, and we’ll try offer a few explanations for why you’re seeing certain error codes, the boiler problems they represent, and what to do next.

*Note. Do not attempt to fix your boiler: Speak to a Gas Safe registered repair company instead.

No Green Light: Burner on Indicator

The green light on a Worcester Ri indicates the burner is operating. We’ve been called out to various Worcester Bosch boiler models, with problems where the green light was off but the boiler was working correctly.

RELATED READING: Read our review of the Worcester Bosch CDi Classic combi boiler here.

Whether your Worcester boiler has its green light flashing, or it’s off completely, there are 2 possible explanations:

Explanation 1: LED Failure

The most obvious explanation is the LED has failed, and needs to be replaced. If the rest of the boiler is working correctly (switch on a hot tap and you should be the boiler ignite), it’s not essential to change the LED.

Explanation 2: PCB Failure

The Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is what powers the light on the control panel. If there is a connection failure, it’s likely some or all the lights will stop working. Again, if the rest of the boiler is working correctly, it’s not essential to replace the PCB.

If the PCB is affecting the operation of the boiler, the PCB will need to be replaced. The problem is, a PCB for a Worcester Ri is going to cost a few hundred pounds to replace.

Again, the big issue here is without a PCB, you’ll not be able to run any diagnostics if any other problems occur.

For those that own an old boiler that’s out of warranty, it makes sense to invest in a new boiler with a long warranty. A PCB replacement can be upwards of £400, so the boiler replacement costs are usually a worthy investment for an old appliance that’s falling apart.

You can get a boiler replacement price online in less than 90 seconds here.

No Blue Light: Power on Indicator

The blue light on a Worcester Ri indicates that the boiler has power. If there is no blue light, there are a few explanations.

Worcester suggest turning off the boiler, unplugging from the mains and then firing it back up after a few seconds. This acts as a basic reset for an Ri boiler.

Explanation 1: LED Failure

Same as the “no green light” LED failure explanation above.

Explanation 2: PCB Failure

Same as the “no green light” PCB failure explanation above.

This is likely to be the case if there are no lights on your Worcester boiler.

Your two options are to repair the PCB at a cost of £400+, or replace the whole appliance.

If the boiler is fairly new and all other parts are in good condition (gas valve, pump, heat exchanger etc), then a repair is likely to be most cost effective.

However, if it’s constantly failing, it might be worth considering a replacement with a long warranty. You can get a fixed price online for a new Worcester Bosch using this form on Heatable’s website. They supply and fit Worcester boilers at incredibly low prices.

Explanation 3: Socket Failure

There may be a problem with the socket. Check a few other electrical appliances to see if they work, using the same socket that the boiler is usually plugged into.

Blue Light Flashing: Service Mode Selected

If your Worcester Greenstar Ri has a blue light flashing, the boiler is probably in service mode — something all Worcester Ri boilers have. This flicks the boiler into a mode suitable for measuring flue gases during a service. If the service mode is selected, you’ll see a blue flashing light that pulses or 3-5 times.

Explanation 1: Switch Accidentally Selected

Some newer Worcester Ri boilers have the service mode button on the front of the boiler. Check you’ve not accidentally knocked the switch selecting the service mode.

Explanation 2: Switch Not Returned to Correct Position By Engineer

Older Worcester Ri boilers tend to have the service switch behind the control panel. When a Gas Safe engineer services the boiler, they’ll use the tool (usually placed next to the switch) to flick the switch on. When they’ve finished, they should flick it back. The service mode lights continue to flash if the engineer doesn’t return the switch to the correct position. Call the boiler service or boiler cover provider and inform them of the issue before you flick the switch back.

Blue Light Flashing: Issues with Gas Supply, Flue or Condensate

If the service mode isn’t on, a Worcester Bosch boiler with a blue light fault indicator that’s flashing might have a problem with the gas supply, flue blockages, or the condensate unit.

Explanation 1: Gas Supply

The blue light on a Worcester Bosch Ri will flash when it detects no gas supply, or low boiler pressure (you’ll know it’s the latter if the pressure gauge reads below 0.5 bar). A range of things, such as a faulty gas valve, could cause this problem.

If it’s indeed a boiler pressure issue, you’ll have to resolve the underlying problem (typically a leak from the boiler or heating system), then restore the normal operating water levels. You can read more about low and high water pressure in our guides here:

• Low boiler pressure
• High boiler pressure

However, if the issue relates to gas, contact a Gas Safe engineer straight away.

Explanation 2: Flue Blockages

Another common reason you’ll see a Worcester boiler with its blue light flashing is a blockage in the flue. Check the flue for accumulated debris, but also for damage. A gas engineer will be able to replace a flue (where necessarily) cheaply.

Explanation 3: Condensate Blocked

This is typical in the colder months. A condensate pipe can easily freeze, causing the blockage and the blue light to flash. However, sometimes a build-up of debris can be causing the blockage instead of ice.

What’s Next?

As we’ve mentioned, you should always get a Gas Safe registered engineer from a boiler repair company to help fix any problems you’re having with your Worcester Ri boiler.

Is there anything we missed? Do you have any questions? If so, please leave us a comment below.