Error 1068 W

Safety first

1) If you are unsure at any point, stop and call a Gas Safe registered engineer. Working on boilers can involve live electrical parts and gas; unsafe work can cause injury or carbon monoxide risk. 2) Before you touch anything inside the boiler, switch off the boiler at the cooker-style isolator or fused spur and turn off the room thermostat/cylinder thermostat. Do not attempt to access or work on gas valves, burners, or sealed components unless you are a Gas Safe engineer.

Initial checks a homeowner can do (no tools or simple tools only)

1) Note the exact fault code and any accompanying messages or lights. Take a photograph of the display for the engineer. 2) Try a boiler reset: follow the boiler manual for the reset procedure (usually press and hold the reset button or use the control knob). Wait to see if the code returns. 3) Visually inspect the outside sensor housing (on an external wall) for obvious damage, water ingress, smashed housing, or chewed cable. 4) Follow the sensor cable from the outdoor housing to where it enters the property if accessible, and check for visible damage, splices, or loose terminations. 5) At the boiler casing, without opening it, check that any external cable entry is secure and there are no obvious pinched or crushed sections of cable.

Further diagnostic steps (if you are competent with basic checks)

1) If you are confident working safely with isolated electrical equipment you can isolate electrical power at the mains to the boiler, remove the outer casing to check the sensor connector is pushed fully onto the PCB connector. Only do this with power isolated and the boiler unplugged. 2) Gently reseat the outdoor sensor connector: unplug and reconnect to ensure a good contact. 3) If you have a multimeter and know how to use it safely, you can check the sensor wiring for continuity between the outdoor sensor connector and the cable entry. Also check the sensor resistance at the connector — a valid sensor will show a finite resistance that changes if you warm or cool the probe (touching it briefly with your fingers will change the reading a little). If you see an open circuit (infinite resistance) or a short (near zero ohms) the cable or sensor is defective. Do not probe live circuits; only measure when the boiler is powered down and isolated.

4) If the connector and cable appear intact but the fault persists after reseating and reset, the outdoor sensor itself is likely faulty or the cable is damaged internally. If the cable is damaged, it often needs replacement along its run from the outdoor housing to the boiler.

What you should not do

1) Do not attempt to repair or modify gas-carrying parts, ignition components, or the burner. 2) Do not leave the boiler in an unsafe state after opening it; replace covers and restore isolation correctly. 3) Do not ignore a recurring fault that causes lockouts or strange behavior—this should be investigated by a professional.

When to call a professional

1) If the fault does not clear after a reset and simple visual checks, call a Gas Safe registered engineer. 2) Call a professional to replace the outdoor sensor or to repair/replace wiring runs into the boiler, or if the fault is accompanied by other errors, flame or ignition issues, leaks, or unusual noises. 3) Tell the engineer the fault code (1068 W), what checks you have done, and whether the fault is intermittent or permanent.

After repair or replacement

1) Once the fixing work is done by the engineer, the boiler will be reset and tested. 2) Monitor the system for several days to make sure the fault does not reappear and that the heating responds normally to outside temperature changes.

Remember: checking plugs, visually inspecting the wiring, and trying a reset are reasonable homeowner steps. Any inspection or work that involves opening the boiler casing, working on internal wiring, or replacing sensors should be carried out by a qualified Gas Safe engineer.