How to fix a thermostatic radiator valve if your radiator is not heating up.

If you have a radiator not heating up a faulty thermostatic rad valve could well be the cause. If you have tried bleeding and checked the lock shield valve is fully on at the other end of the radiator, then chances are your thermostatic radiator valve is stuck in the off position. This simple fix shows how to quickly and easily fix the problem. If you have a very old Danfoss model then do not try this as the pin will come right out, you will have to replace this model of valve.
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Many thanks Al.

[@guvstad]

Dereton33 - may small children sing your name. You have a spot reserved for you in Valhalla. We are not worthy to walk amongst you. Thanks! Video worked a treat!

[@dereton33]

Ha ha great it all worked out for you. Not sure about making it to Valhalla though.

[@rooseveltarlene7632]

I second that 👏👏👏👏😊😊😊

[@LongLivePC]

You just saved me from calling a plumber out. Simple video, well explained, straight to the point. Many thanks!

[@jakeashworth-jones7547]

Thanks so much!!! Saved having to call a plumber and fixed it myself in 2-3 minutes. These kind of checks are things that everyone should know how to do as you're not really going to break anything (provided you have common sense and don't get too violent with the hammer/grips!) and it can save so much grief!

[@farrell71]

Thank you! My radiator has been cold for days, this fixed it in seconds!

[@seanhassan3470]

Mate, brilliant! you saved me the cost of calling a plumber out. Had this exact problem fixed it in a minute thanks to your vid. Much appreciated!

[@jeremyhemingray3769]

Likewise 🙂

[@mariapeleli-pedersen8266]

this is amazing my friend! great work and demonstration!! I was waiting the whole day today for the plumbers to come, nobody showed up and then I found your video...how brilliant!

[@dereton33]

+Maria Peleli No problem.

[@adrianhardcastle9297]

Spot on! Bled my rads and checked the lock shields and no joy, checked the pin under the thermostatic and it was stuck partly up and wouldn’t move, saw on your vid it has to move quite freely so got brave and got the pliers on it and bingo popped right up and went hot straightaway! Gave it a few wiggles to ensure it was moving freely and all good. Thanks for the instructions and demo my lads room is all toasty now and as winters drawing that’s a weight off my mind

[@dereton33]

No problem Adrian.

[@louiseshaw6792]

Thanks so much for this vid,my rad was broken for 3 yrs,I'm a single mum & i couldn't afford a plumber...but today i fixed it myself!

[@dereton33]

Shaw Lula Well done Shaw Lula, I feel I have got my video`s about right when I hear comments like yours. Thanks very much. Al.

[@carollockyer1855]

@@dereton33 100% For some of us it's not about saving a few quid (though nothing wrong with that)

[@steviejay7834]

can't believe I didn't come on KZbin sooner. this video would have saved me some cold nights. many thanks

[@carollockyer1855]

Same, eight years of cold nights lol

[@aurquhart920]

Same... Thanks to this guy!

[@Vampfy]

Thank you! The radiator in our spare room has been broken for months, and I attempted fixing it by bleeding but nothing worked and there didn't seem to be any air locked at all. Finally looked up alternative solutions and your video was spot on for fixing! Pin was jammed, light tap with a heavy object (or several taps lol) and eventually it worked! Haven't felt heat from that radiator before! Thanks!!

[@robholmes812]

Thanks Al, my kids rooms have been getting very cold lately, and I had tried bleeding and checked the lock valve and I was about to call someone to look at it when I found this video. Totally sorted my problem, and saved me a large call out fee, thank you so much!

[@dereton33]

No problem Rob have a nice warmer Christmas now . Kind regards, al.

[@claretangle]

Thanks for this! Radiator in spare room sorted quickly in time for family visiting. Been ignoring this for months!

[@dereton33]

Excellent!

[@epale9999]

God bless you dereton33! thanks mate

[@dereton33]

No problem Kind regards, al.

[@fullthrottle2008]

Absolute legend ! Thank you for posting this, really pragmatic and easy to follow guidance for a simple yet frustrating problem 👍 Warm bedroom now, happy wife 😅

[@dereton33]

No problem.

[@earunnessa3334]

Thanks for the video, never done any DIY, fixed radiator with help from your video, saved me the cost of getting a plumber out

[@dereton33]

florrie Hatton No problem florrie. Al.

[@tomwilson2708]

Your advice to wiggle the pin loose with plyers fixed my problem in seconds. Thank you sir!

[@dereton33]

Glad it helped!

[@TheUKRifter]

Nice one, kids room was freezing and wide was panicking, watched your video and quickly sorted it. Everyone happy. Do you have a way to send a donation to buy you a beer?

[@dereton33]

Don`t worry, put a fiver in the next charity box you see.

[@jakobfromthefence]

My man!!! It worked!!! Just whack it a couple of times!!!

[@tinaharding7640]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. 5 radiators have not worked in weeks, decided to go onto KZbin to find a fix. Did what you suggested in the video. And now they are all piping hot. Saved me a fortune, and taught me something about plumbing - if it doesn't work hit it with a hammer.

[@dereton33]

Ha ha works every time.

[@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim]

You just saved me money. Out of 5 radiators, only 2 worked. Turns out the valve was stuck down in each of the the 3 none working ones. They're all working again now thanks.

[@dereton33]

Excellent!

[@riponbiswas9485]

Dereton, mate you are a life saver. Just fixed a radiator in one of my other room as one of the tenant was complaining that the radiator was not working. I bled it but didn't work. Called up a plumber, he said he can't come before saturday. So was checking on youtube to see if there is any helpful advice or not. Saw your video, tried exactly as you mentioned and now its heating up. If you are in London then will take you out for drinks some day. Keep up the good work. PS, I do have one other problem, its the leaky radiator, those upright ones. Would you be able to make a video of that as well? Thanks again for all your help.

[@dereton33]

Ripon Biswas I have a video on how to repair a leaking radiator valve but if your radiator has a rust hole or leak on a seam then there is no cure, the radiator has to be replaced. Al.

[@improcat1]

Brilliant! Worked perfectly. Many thanks.

[@dereton33]

No problem.

[@jasonperry9616]

Your a genius. Have been having problems with a radiator and was about to call out a plumber. Great video! Took off the thermostat and the pin was already up. Hit it with the pliers a couple of times, but this did nothing. Put the thermostat back on and it was working.

[@dereton33]

No problem

[@patrickmorris8934]

Was freezing my ass off in an old house, during a storm, in the West of Ireland. Five minutes later and I'm toasty warm. I salute you!

[@dereton33]

No problem Pat.

[@lancewilsonellis1666]

Just a little tap with a hammer , bingo it works ! cheers

[@dereton33]

+Lance Wilson Ellis No problem. Al.

[@tintin9343]

Seven and a half years later, I found your video and it's worked a treat for me. Cheers for that. 🙂👍

[@dereton33]

Glad it helped

[@ronaldoyuen]

We have just tried this.....amazingly simple and you've saved us taking off the wall and draining it. Happy to make a donation to a charity of your choice. Thank you.

[@dereton33]

No problem.

[@DesGallen]

Brilliant video. Arrived at holiday home last night (December!!) Rad not working. Used the sophisticated tool and worked a treat. Having a coffee now, thanks!

[@dereton33]

No problem.

[@jonnywalker2112]

Cheers dereton33 Two rads went down a few months ago. Bled the rads, tried rebalancing the rads but no joy. And then two minutes watching this saved me who knows how much. Top man. 👍

[@dereton33]

Glad I could help

[@stuarthughes8111]

Thanks for the video - followed the video and quickly fixed two radiators in my house. Nice!

[@carlo6040]

I was able to sort out this problem in my daughters room in 2 mins after watching this. Nice one my friend, thanks !!!

[@dereton33]

No problem 👍

[@paulaunderwood4814]

Desperate Gran here, your videos just helped me, nice and warm now 👌

[@dereton33]

Glad I could help

[@stuartcranmer8460]

Saved me calling out a plumber - had my radiator sorted in just a few minutes, cant thank you enough for this excellent vlog - Thank You.

[@dereton33]

Glad it helped Stuart.

[@missapophenia]

Just wanted to say a big thank you, I followed your advice and I now have a working radiator! It was stone cold before, but thanks to you, it’s sorted! Huge thanks! 👍

[@dereton33]

Great to hear!

[@nigelloughlin4539]

Cheers mate. Changed a Rad in a spare room and couldn’t understand what it was cold (hours bleeding) Checked the pin and it was flush. Tapped with a pair of pliers and it popped up. Two minutes later it was hot! Owe you a beer 👍

[@dereton33]

A John smiths ha ha.

[@Zoegill99]

Brilliant - sorted my radiator and saved me £125 + VAT for a heating bloke to come round ... thanks so much!

[@dereton33]

No problem.

[@MyfireSafety]

Al just rebalanced all the radiators and unjammed a jammed TRV all wth the help of your easy to follow videos and a trusty hammer, thanks mate :)

[@dereton33]

No problem.

[@grazzenger]

Top man! A plumber showed me this a couple of years ago but I'd forgotten. Great video, nice and simple, 2 radiators now back working and just in time for the first frost expected overnight. Thanks.

[@dereton33]

Graeme Black No problem. Al.

[@kiddlesk]

Thanks for these. My kitchen rad had a leaking lock valve on one side and a stuck thermostatic one one the other. Watching your videos got me sorted in minutes, a length of PTFE sorted the leak and a gentle tug with pliers lifted the stuck pin on the other. Plumber's children will go hungry thanks to you (wink)

[@Shelasusanjames]

Thank u so much sir ...! I called property management since last five days ,they didn't sent anybody.. At last I decided to try my self.. Thank u so much... May God bless you!!!!!!!!!!

[@dereton33]

You too, keep well.

[@Thetemplehealth]

Thank you so much! We’ve spent the last couple of months with no heating in the master bedroom and bathroom, the radiators just randomly stopped working and we tried bleeding them but nothing would work. Did this today and now they all work! Thank you thank you THANK YOU!

[@dereton33]

No problem.

[@TheOrignalCarpe]

8 years on and still saving people Many Thanks worked a treat * * * * *

[@dereton33]

No problem.

[@stevebob79]

That's great thanks! I was thinking I would have to replace the valves but this worked a treat. Took me longer to find the pliers and hammer than to fix the problem in 3 rooms!

[@dereton33]

These jobs are always easier than you think .Pleased you did it ok. Kind regards, al.

[@NMe1984]

Thank you for making this. Seven years later you've saved me a lot of money for a simple 10 second fix that even I managed to do.

[@dereton33]

No problem.

[@samiajones8705]

19 Oct 2022 - amazing thank you. My sons room was cold that he didn't want to sleep in there anymore. That was only radiator that stayed cold. I did what you showed. Heat coming thru radiator now. Thank you so much. Regards, lone struggling mum of one little boy.

[@dereton33]

Glad it helped! Keep warm.

[@janetjones9032]

Very helpful - a radiator that has not been working for months was fixed 5 minutes after watching this video. Many thanks.

[@dereton33]

Janet Jones No problem Janet.

[@yinlow3014]

Worked 100%!!! I used the hammer lightly tap it! The moment the pin popped up, the radiator heats up immediately! Thank you so very much!!!!

[@dereton33]

Glad it helped!

[@santoshkrishnan75]

You are a God send. This video is 8 years old and totally relevant. Just fixed my radiator by tapping on the pin as demonstrated. Thanks

[@dereton33]

You're welcome!

[@gerardmccartney3186]

Fantastic, fixed in seconds and so easy. House has been cold upstairs and I realised landing radiator wasn't on, then realised it wasn't working. Few seconds watching your video and heat is blasting through. Thank you so much!

[@dereton33]

No problem gerard.

[@user-zk2mk1np2rzlambchopu]

How wonderful to bring warmth and happiness too so many people,God bless 🙏 you 💕❤

[@discostuprino]

Brilliant!!My house is now fully worm. Have a splendid winter. Thanks a million dereton33!!

[@dereton33]

Davids AP No problem. Al.

[@tonykaye6325]

Hi Al: many thanks for this tip - I bashed the jammed pin on our stuck rad valve with a hammer, and, hey presto, it popped up and the heat came through right away. You're a star!

[@dereton33]

No problem.

[@nigelh3253]

Thanks for this very useful video - I followed your advice and it worked great. Let me say I have great respect for plumbers and am always happy to call one out when the need arises.

[@dereton33]

Excellent!

[@benjaminsolis6094]

Thank you so much! After 2.5 years of living in this flat with only hot water and no heating, you have fixed my heating! Another video suggested not to use a hammer to the pin which worried me until I stumbled across your video! I saw it pop outwards and immediately the radiator got hot. The flow pipes got hot and my heat meter is now recording flow/temperatures! Why I didn't do this before but you saved me a call out. Thank you!!

[@dereton33]

No problem.

[@sevenmangsb]

That was a quick and easy fix for a rad at home. It had been turned down on the thermostatic valve, but then never came on again after I turned it back up. The system is old, and after seeing how to remove the top of the valve a couple of taps with a big pair of pliers (seem to work like a hammer) made it ping back up. I won't turn that one down again until the valve is changed. Thanks for the video.

[@dereton33]

Hi Sevenman , it1s the little tricks like this , that make plumbers a lot of money. Kind regards, al.

[@stevedalloway7531]

Fantastic...... Had an old rad that we refurbished and all good except the rad wouldn't warm up. Refilled the rad, checked the combi boiler pressure was ok and then popped on the heating and it still wasn't getting hot. So after watching this tip, a tiny tap with a pin hammer and the pin popped up. Now it's piping hot again. Thanks very much for this tip, you're a gent!

[@dereton33]

No problem Steve.

[@DougieFrank]

Mate - Thanks a million for this. Im a kiwi unfamiliar with UK rads, & your clip just saved me the cost of a plumber. Many Thanks

[@dereton33]

No problem Doug.

[@multiplyx100]

Thank you so much! I've got two radiators that weren't working, one for maybe 8 years, the other for maybe 4, that now work perfectly. I really appreciate it!

[@dereton33]

You're welcome!

[@bigchiefbearpaw6807]

Thank you very much!! This saved me calling out a plumber and fixed my daughters radiator.

[@dereton33]

Excellent!

[@justjeni2245]

Thank you, just sorted my bedroom radiator, it's been cold for months, I thought it was a blockage somewhere, bleeding my radiators didn't work... you've just saved me alot of money! 😊

[@dereton33]

No problem.

[@stephendraper3612]

Hi Al, Superb advice a stuck thermostatic radiator valve was indeed the culprit I followed your instruction to the letter, removing the control top and taping the brass valve which then sprung back into action top back on job done. Thank you Al. Kind Regards Steve.

[@simonfoster7022]

Brilliant, spot on, just about to call a plumber - I'd have been gutted to find out how simple the fix was! Also, you gave the confidence to actually unscrew the valve - I wasn't sure it was sealed underneath - learn something new every day 🙂

[@dereton33]

You're welcome!

[@mikepearson4727]

had a guy in last year he mentioned this problem and now I can fix it myself... awesome vid, tyvm

[@stueyuk]

Still a valid video in 2020! I had a spare valve but thought i'd KZbin it first! Saved me a right ball ache. Thanks very much!

[@dereton33]

You're welcome!

[@therealandylaw]

You sir are an absolute legend. Had tried everything with one radiator in our house that just wouldn't heat up and this has just fixed it in a few minutes

[@dereton33]

Great to hear!

[@juliah7674]

Honestly worked wonders! Thank you! Fixed my radiator - even as someone with very limited plumbing knowledge who happens to have a housemate with a hammer, managed to get the radiator going again, for the colder nights

[@dereton33]

Glad it helped

[@DavidSandilands]

Thanks for your advice. It helped me fix a TRV that was permanently fully open. I was worried about how big a job it was going to be; it turned out to be an easy and quick fix as the pin had become stuck in the up position and the valve head had become loose enough to just push up instead of exerting pressure on the pin.

[@dereton33]

Most plumbers would have charged for a drain down and stretched the job out a bit , so good on you for doing it yourself . Kind regards, al.

[@GrandSlamScotty]

Al. You sir, are a freaking legend. The next time you are up around Glasgow then i owe you a pint. Thank you so much. We now have heating in the living room and can sit comfortably 😂😂😂 May god bless you.

[@dereton33]

Glad to help. Could always do with a scotch.

[@louisebrown6024]

Genius! Just applied your video and now the rad is working. Cheers Al!

[@dereton33]

No problem.

[@joannaeb48]

Brilliant - thank you. We have been struggling with the radiators in some of our rooms for a while now and we were just about to give in and call a plumber!! Now all sorted.

[@dereton33]

No problem Joanna.

[@murphyslaw580]

Howya Derton, can I just a BIG THANK YOU for your video, for the last three days the bollox was frozen off us he in Co. Roscommon, Ireland. i only got a chance to see your video today and am now nice and warm in the sitting room again after fixing my Rad thanks to you. Merry Christmas.

[@dereton33]

Good to hear, have a good Christmas too.

[@cameosailing4859]

Excellent advice did exactly what Dereton33 said and it worked. This was after I had a local plumber quote £280 to replace the valve to fix the problem for what could only be an hours work.

[@dereton33]

Great you sorted it ok.

[@ThePeanut2013]

Having gone all night last night without heating on the front room rad, (Thermo Valved) I decided it was worth checking out Google/KZbin, as I couldn't go another night without heat. Having watched this video, (& your other video on "System Balancing") - I now 'thankfully' have a red hot rad in the two of the four rooms that I use, and that's all thanks to your easy to understand help clips... So just wanted to say a HUGE Thank you very much Al.

[@dereton33]

No problem. Kind regards, al.

[@franciscolucas1585]

You Sir, deserve a medal. Thanks for solving my radiators exact issue. Cheers!

[@dereton33]

No problem.

[@barryarchbold87]

I wasnt sure about the old hammer trick, but it works! A few taps and the pin popped back up and you can push it down now. I think it got stuck due to some corrosion. Thanks a million saved me buying a new valve and draining the system - this took less than 2 mins to sort it. 👍

[@dereton33]

Excellent!

[@FanaticQuattro]

You've just fixed my sons radiator and saved me money. Thank you!!

[@dereton33]

No problem 👍

[@nicksellors]

Thanks very much for the advice - fixed three TRVs so have a warm family once again and avoided needing a plumber coming out. Cheers!!

[@dereton33]

No problem Nick.

[@ChubbyChecker182]

Thank you very much.I am in a rented room at the moment and the controller just came off in my hand, did a quick search, found your video and I have put it back together..... I was wondering why I was getting hot at night, seems the controller wasn't on properly :D thank you again.

[@dereton33]

No problem.

[@RTVRUK]

Been trying to ages to fix a radiator, found your video and fixed it within 2 minutes. Thank you so much!

[@dereton33]

You're welcome!

[@BettertaxOrg]

Thank you! This happened on this radiator before, about 5 years ago, so I knew it probably to do with the valve. Yep, a quick twiddle with pliars and a few bangs with the hammer and I have heat agin!

[@marktaylor9166]

Radiator valve on my radiator stuck ,room freezing,all other rooms hot,didn’t know what to do.watched this video got my Pliers out and BINGO worked a treat.thanks so much for the video

[@dereton33]

No problem Mark.

[@Timessormarble]

Thank you so much for this. I have an old radiator with a different thermostat to this. I couldn't get it off, so I tapped lightly with a hammer around the same areas as you, and it worked!

[@dereton33]

Glad it helped

[@thesoupdragonat121]

Thanks - perfect solution! Took the top off. Then with a pair of pliers pulled up the pin, which was stuck down. Pushed and pulled it up and down a few times and now valve is working perfectly. Happy and Warm New Year!

[@dereton33]

That`s great, have a happy new year Roy. Al and Jan.

[@tuncayuner2469]

I have even changed the thermostat but I could not think of a stupid problem like this. Thank you very much!

[@dereton33]

You're welcome!

[@bengreen3092]

Fantastic...started renting a property and all radiators not working...but working now!!! Thanks mate 👍

[@dereton33]

No problem Ben.

[@frederickadamson5205]

Fantastic. I also had some green corroded copper on top the pin. I thought the thermostat was fairly new (I then found out it is 11 years old!), but one light tap with a hammer released the pin and up It popped. The radiator then immediately started to heat up. It took me longer to find a hammer, than to remove the top casing, tap the pin and replace the casing. Job done - and I was getting ready to pay £50 to call out a plumber (sorry Mario)! Great job. Thank you for showing this.

[@janicehull3135]

Ive got 3 radiators that havnt worked for about a year, and im now determined to find out whats wrong. Thankyou so much for your easy to understand videos. Tomorrow i am going to give it a try to get them to work! Fingers crossed x

[@dereton33]

Good luck Jan.

[@monkeybigbaws]

Thanks for an easy to follow video, Freed off my sticky valve and now have a cosy kitchen again! Top man 👍

[@dereton33]

Glad it helped

[@juliestreet8688]

Just wanted to say thanks for your short sweet videos, they're perfect for sharing to my more capable customers when I don't have time to go to their house!

[@dereton33]

Glad you like them! Thanks Julie.

[@JustinW7111]

Thank you so much! I've never been afraid of tackling these things... but I was wary of taking the top off the valve without breaking it in the process. I now have two very happy parents, thanks to you. :)

[@dereton33]

No problem Justin.

[@LeeBondo]

Thanks, just fixed a bad radiator of bout 6 weeks after watching this. I was all ready to have a new valve fitted as I didn't realise that it was so easy to mend. I'm going to your radiator balancing video next as my father in law opened all the valves to full a few years ago. Ta lots.

[@dereton33]

No problem.

[@davidengland5089]

Brilliant, one radiator not working all last winter, two this year just getting warm; problem now resolved with all three working well, thank you

[@dereton33]

No problem David.

[@davidfeatch1436]

Even after many years this video still comes to the help of a broken sad rad and family. Thank you so much for the tip :D

[@dereton33]

Glad I could help!

[@deirdrefearon6799]

Thank you so much my sin room had no heat for nearly a year and I just watched your video and I fix it in 5 mins thank you so much save me getting a plumber 💪💪💪

[@dereton33]

You're welcome!

[@chrisbooth2246]

Thanks so much, Have had a cold radiator for almost a week now and now, with a minute to unscrew the unit and few taps .. and radiator hot again. The pin is still stuck so will leave the hammer onto the pin for another day .. so pleased!!

[@dereton33]

No problem John.

[@marcmckenna8789]

Thank you for that. It's bloody freezing and my bathroom radiator hasn't worked for at least a year. This took two seconds and is making a big difference. Thank you so much.

[@dereton33]

Marc Mckenna No problem Mark. Al.

[@melancholy5131]

Had my rad off in the bathroom for a year and couldn't be bothered to actually do the decorating. Stuck it back on and wondered why it weren't working. Turns out this was the issue. Top man, PS my pin definitely came out. 😂

[@dereton33]

Ha ha they often do.

[@niknak5058]

My radiator hasn’t worked for 3 years and I’ve just done as you said and hit it with a hammer and now it’s toasty warm! Thankyou ❤

[@dereton33]

Glad it helped

[@chrismckenna9412]

thanks mate, I've now got a warm bedroom thanks to you, I thought the radiator was broken or something... your a star.. thanks

[@dereton33]

No problem mate.

[@nbinns999]

Thanks for this - 2 radiators fixed with a hammer. Had tried everything and knew the valve was stuck and wouldn't spring back up, but wasn't sure how 'persuasive' to be until you said the pin wouldn't come out. Many thanks !!!

[@dereton33]

No problem.

[@Kalidor99]

First try as a plumber, your solution worked perfectly, also used WD40 to prevent the pin from stuck again. Thanks a lot!

[@dereton33]

+kalidor.ch No problem