Error E160

Safety precautions:

- If you smell gas, evacuate the property immediately and call the gas emergency number — do not operate the boiler or electrical switches.

- Do not open boiler covers, access internal wiring, or attempt to replace fan motors or control components unless you are a qualified Gas Safe engineer. Internal work involves live electricity and gas and can be dangerous.

- Turn off the boiler and isolate mains power before any external visual inspection. If in doubt, leave it off and call a professional.

Initial checks a homeowner can do (safe, low-risk):

1. Note the exact fault and when it appeared: record E160, any noises, and whether heating/hot water was on. Take a photo of the display if useful.

2. Reset the boiler: switch the boiler off at the isolator or mains for about 30 seconds and switch back on (follow the boiler manual reset procedure if given). Watch the display during restart and listen for the fan starting. If E160 returns immediately or after restart, proceed to next checks.

3. Check the external flue terminal (outside): look for obvious blockages such as bird nests, leaves, frost or debris. Do not crawl into confined spaces or try to force anything into the flue. If the flue is blocked and you can safely remove loose debris from the outside end, do so, then reset the boiler.

4. Check mains power and fused spur to the boiler: ensure the boiler has power (clock and display lit). Replace an obvious blown external fuse in the consumer unit if you are competent and safe to do so.

5. Listen and observe: on a restart, you may hear the fan attempt to run just before ignition. If you hear nothing at all where the fan should run, that suggests the fan is not operating or not being powered. Note any unusual grinding, rattling or seizure noises.

6. Check water pressure only as a simple housekeeping step (not usually the cause of E160) and top up to the recommended range if very low, following the boiler manual.

Diagnostic and fix steps for an engineer (what to expect when you call a pro):

- The engineer will isolate and open the boiler, test the fan electrical supply and control signals, and check wiring harness and connectors for damage or corrosion.

- They will test that the fan spins freely, measure fan speed or current to determine motor health, and check the fan tach/signal circuit to the PCB.

- They will inspect the flue system from inside and outside for blockages and check air-pressure/safety interlocks related to the fan.

- Faulty components identified may include the fan motor, fan assembly, harness cable or, less commonly, a faulty control board. Replacement of these parts or repair of wiring should only be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

- After repair or replacement the engineer will run combustion and safety checks, verify correct flue flow, and confirm the boiler operates safely.

When to call a professional:

- If a reset does not clear the error or the fault recurs, call a Gas Safe registered heating engineer. Because E160 is a safety lockout related to combustion and flue extraction, do not attempt internal repairs yourself.

- If you are unable to clear an obvious external flue blockage safely, call an engineer.

Preventive notes:

- Keep the flue terminal area clear of debris and nesting material, and arrange annual servicing by a Gas Safe registered engineer to catch wear or wiring deterioration before failure.

If you call an engineer, provide: the exact error code (E160), what you saw/heard, whether a reset was attempted and its result, and photos of the boiler display and external flue if available. This helps the engineer diagnose and prepare the correct parts and tools.