Zone valve stuck or not opening
Check the steps below first — if you\'re not confident, get it fixed safely today.
Find a Gas Safe engineer near you →⚠️ Turn off the boiler before touching any valves.
Not sure if this matches your problem?
Use our interactive tool — answer a few questions and get a personalised diagnosis.
Most likely cause & what to check
A zone valve (motorised valve) is a box with a small motor on it, usually found near the boiler or hot water cylinder. It controls whether heating or hot water flows.
Look for a small lever on the side of the valve body — it may be white, grey, or yellow. Turn off the boiler first, then try flipping the lever to open manually. If the zone starts working, the motor has failed but the valve itself is fine.
This is a job for a Gas Safe engineer or plumber. Tell them: "I think my zone valve motor has failed — it works on manual override but not automatically."
Find a Gas Safe registered engineer near you and get it fixed properly.
Was this guide helpful?