The fan is not running at the speed the boiler expects, so it will not light for safety.
Most common on: Baxi 600, Baxi 800, EcoBlue, Platinum+, Duo-tec
E160 means the control board is not getting the correct speed signal back from the fan. Because the fan drives combustion air and clears flue gases, the boiler will not start ignition until it confirms the fan is running at the right speed.
It is often a failing fan, a wiring or connector fault, or a blockage affecting the fan or flue. A single glitch may clear on a reset, but a recurring E160 needs an engineer to test the fan and its wiring.
Occasionally a one-off glitch clears with a reset. If E160 returns, the fan or its wiring needs checking.
Visually check the external flue terminal is not blocked by debris or nesting. Do not dismantle the flue yourself.
The fan speed signal, wiring and PCB need testing by a Gas Safe engineer — this is not a DIY fix.
Work on the gas side of a boiler must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The checks above are limited to safe, non-invasive things a homeowner can look at (pressure, resets, the gas supply) — if in doubt, stop and call an engineer.
TradePlanr turns the callout into paid work — log the job, quote the parts and labour, raise the gas safety record and send the invoice from your phone, even with no signal. Free to start, works in your browser, no download needed.
The fan is not running at the speed the boiler expects, so it will not light for safety. E160 means the control board is not getting the correct speed signal back from the fan. Because the fan drives combustion air and clears flue gases, the boiler will not start ignition until it confirms the fan is running at the right speed.
You can try a single reset and the safe checks below, but Baxi E160 usually needs a Gas Safe registered engineer. Never work on the gas side of a boiler yourself — it is illegal and dangerous unless you are Gas Safe registered.
A recurring E160 means the underlying cause has not been fixed — most often worn or seized fan. Resetting repeatedly will not solve it; get the boiler diagnosed properly.