Electric shower has stopped working completely

🔒 Written by a Gas Safe registered engineer
May Need Pro💷 £0£30020–60 min
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Safety First
⚠️ Electric showers combine water and mains electricity. Always isolate at the consumer unit before opening the shower unit. All wiring work must comply with Part P Building Regulations and be carried out by a qualified electrician.

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Most likely cause & what to check

1

Check the dedicated isolator switch — this is a double-pole switch (all contacts break simultaneously) fitted outside the bathroom. Ensure it is ON.

2

Go to the consumer unit and check the MCB (miniature circuit breaker) for the shower circuit has not tripped. If it has tripped, reset it once and test the shower.

3

If the MCB trips again immediately, there is an electrical fault — do not reset it again. Call an electrician.

4

If the shower powers on but no water comes out, check the cold water supply to the shower. Electric showers are fed from the mains cold supply — check there is mains pressure at the point of connection (typically a 15mm pipe).

5

If the shower turns on but produces no heat, the thermal cut-out may have tripped. Locate the small reset button on the unit body (some require the front cover to be removed — isolate first). Press it firmly.

6

If resetting the thermal cut-out does not restore heat, the heating element has failed. A new element is £15–£50 but the installation is Part P notifiable electrical work.

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