Baxi E160 fault codewhat it means and how to fix it
The fan is not running at the speed the appliance expects. Baxi direct engineers to check the fan and its cable, in that order.
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Get a Gas Safe registered engineer to look at your Baxi E160
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What E160 means
E160 is the fan fault across the Baxi range, with E161 covering a closely related fan condition on some models. The appliance commands a fan speed, reads the feedback, and will not open the gas valve unless the two agree — because the fan is what clears combustion products through the flue, and firing without proven extraction is not permitted on any condensing appliance. Baxi's installer guidance is terse and to the point: check the fan and the cable, probable cause fan failure. That is honest, because on a Duo-tec of typical age the fan usually is the answer. Bearings have a service life of roughly eight to twelve years and they rarely fail without warning — there is normally a period of months where the appliance grumbles or grinds on start-up and then quietens as it comes up to speed. That noise is the part worth acting on, because a fan replaced at the noisy stage is a scheduled job rather than an emergency in the middle of a cold snap.
What causes it
| Cause | What is actually happening | How likely |
|---|---|---|
| Fan bearings worn out | Baxi name fan failure as the probable cause. Usually preceded by months of increasing start-up noise that the household stops registering. | Common |
| Fan cable or connector fault | Baxi specify checking the cable alongside the fan. The fan may be turning perfectly while the speed signal never reaches the board. | Occasional |
| Flue terminal obstructed | A nest or debris changes the resistance the fan works against and fails the speed check even on a healthy fan. | Occasional |
| Control board fault | The board misreads a good signal. Concluded last, once the fan, its cable and the flue have all been eliminated. | Rare |
Can you fix it yourself?
Stop — this needs an engineer
What it costs to fix
Typical repair cost
£180–£420
A fan assembly is typically £280 to £420 fitted. A cable or connector repair, or clearing a flue obstruction, is a call-out charge of £80 to £150.
Typical UK prices including parts and labour, updated August 2026. Your quote may differ.
What other owners found
Nobody has shared what worked for them on this code yet. If you have had it, you would be the first — and it genuinely helps the next person.
Related Baxi fault codes
- E28Get it checkedThe flue temperature sensor has faulted, or flue temperatures are running high. Baxi flag a blocked heat exchanger as a possibility.Related: fan and flue
- C6 224Get it checkedThe fan is not reaching the speed the boiler asked for, so combustion cannot be confirmed as safe and the burner has been prevented from firing.Related: fan and flue
- E16Get it checkedThe control board cannot confirm the fan is running at the speed it asked for, so it will not let the burner light. This one needs an engineer.Related: fan and flue
- F.32Get it checkedThe fan is not running at the speed the boiler expects, so combustion cannot be verified as safe and the boiler has locked out.Related: fan and flue
- F3Get it checkedThe fan is not running at the speed the boiler expects, so it cannot confirm the flue is clearing and has stopped the burner firing.Related: fan and flue
- F9Get it checkedThe fan is not reaching the speed the burner control unit requires. The burner is blocked until it does.Related: fan and flue
Related guides
Common questions about Baxi E160
The boiler has been noisy on start-up for months. Was that a warning?
Almost certainly. A fan bearing that grumbles when the appliance fires and settles once it is up to speed is wearing out, and this lockout is where that ends. Reporting the noise early converts an emergency into a planned repair.
What is the difference between E160 and E161?
Both are fan faults in the Baxi code set and both carry the same installer guidance. Quote the number actually on the display, since it can direct an engineer to a specific circuit on some models.
Can I check the flue myself?
You can look at the terminal from the ground in daylight and note whether anything is obviously in it. Do not reach into it, use a ladder, or remove the appliance casing.
Sources and how we verified this
We establish the facts from the sources below and then write the explanation ourselves. We do not copy manufacturer wording and we do not host their manuals.
- Manufacturer technical and service documentation
- Interviews with working engineers
Checked by Technical reviewer (Gas Safe registration to be displayed on appointment) on 5 August 2026.