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Baxi Boiler 160 Fault Code

The Baxi fault code 160 fan problem Q & A or require an engineer for an emergency boiler repair.


The Baxi Boiler Fault Code 160 Error Common Q & A

Just below, we have a list of common questions relating to the 160 fault code on the Baxi boiler.

Baxi Boiler 160 Fault Code
  • What does the Baxi boiler 160 fault code mean?
  • What are the most common causes of the Baxi 160 fault code being displayed?
  • What does the fan on my Baxi boiler do?
  • Is my boiler dangerous if the fan isn’t working?
  • Can I replace the fan on a DIY basis?
  • Will an engineer be able to tell if the fan has a seized motor, or stiff bearings?
  • My fan is noisy, will turning down the speed help reduce the noise, and fix the 160 fault code?
  • Is there anything I can do to help the boiler engineer diagnose the problem?
  • If the fan is broken, how much will it cost to fix, and how long will it take?
  • How will the boiler engineer determine if it’s a wiring or connection problem, rather than a faulty part?
  • If an electrical problem is found on the fan, will it need to be replaced?
  • I’ve recently noticed water beneath my boiler, will this have contributed to the fan failure?
  • I’ve been having problems with my display panel, is this connected to the Baxi 160 fault code?
  • How much does it cost to replace a PCB?
  • Is there anything else that could be causing the Baxi 160 fault code to be displayed?

What does the Baxi boiler 160 fault code mean?

All modern boilers will display fault codes when there’s an error present. This helps a qualified engineer narrow down the problem.

In the case of the 160 fault code on Baxi boilers, the fault relates to a fan problem.

The boiler recognises that either there’s a problem with the fan, or a problem that’s causing the fan not to kick into life.


What are the most common causes of the Baxi 160 fault code being displayed?

The 160 fault code on your Baxi boiler could be due to:

  • A fan with a stuck motor, or worn bearings
  • The wiring harness between the fan and PCB being damaged or degraded
  • The multi-plug on the PCB not being plugged in correctly
  • The PCB being faulty

What does the fan on my Baxi boiler do?

The flue on a boiler works much like a car exhaust. It helps vent harmful gases away from you and your property.

For these gases to be vented properly, the fan needs to be operational. The fan creates a draught that helps push these gases up and out of the flue.

So, when the boiler recognises the fan isn’t working correctly, it will lockout and display a fault code.

In this case, the 160 error code.

Is my boiler dangerous if the fan isn’t working?

A boiler without a working fan that continues to operate, is dangerous. That’s exactly why when the fan stops working, the boiler should too.

If you’ve noticed the Baxi 160 fault code appear before, have reset your boiler to try and clear the fault, and can’t hear the fan running; turn off your boiler immediately.

Sometimes a reset can get a boiler working for a few minutes, fooling it into thinking the fault leading to an error code has been fixed.

If this is the case here you’ll be running a boiler, with harmful gases having no way of escaping your property.

Can I replace the fan on a DIY basis?

Firstly, bear in mind the fan may not be to blame. This problem could just as easily be the electrical components on the fan, rather than the fan itself.

Secondly, once a boiler’s casing is removed, that’s classed as working on a gas appliance. The only people legally trained to do this, and then to fix the appliance, are Gas Safe engineers.

Will an engineer be able to tell if the fan has a seized motor, or stiff bearings?

An engineer’s job isn’t just to diagnose the main fault, it’s to also diagnose any connected faults.

It’s easy to jump to conclusions after finding a problem, and forgetting that there could be other faults contributing to the overall problem.

One of the easiest checks, is the operation of the fan.

Does it turn freely? Do the bearings make a grinding noise?

When the bearings are stiff, and the fan’s motor is seized, a replacement is sometimes the best idea.

That’s assuming the rest of the boiler is in good condition.

My fan is noisy, will turning down the speed help reduce the noise, and fix the 160 fault code?

A fan’s noise usually stems from worn bearings, or a partially seized motor. Turning down the fan will reduce the noise, but it doesn’t fix the problem.

If the boiler has already recognised a fan fault (by displaying the 160 fault code), it’s likely turning it down won’t fix the problem.

Is there anything I can do to help the boiler engineer diagnose the problem?

Anything that you’d consider to be unusual with your boiler, can help the boiler engineer figure out the problem faster.

For example:

Has there been drips of water below your boiler?

This is a sign of an internal component leaking. In this case, it’s likely the engineer will head straight for wiring and the PCB. There’s a good chance one or both items have gotten water damage, and it’s affecting the boiler’s operation.

Has your boiler been becoming noisier as weeks pass?

This is a sign of bearing, shaft or motor damage on the fan. In this case, it’s likely that the fan itself is to blame. Over time, even strong components like this will deteriorate and need to be replaced.

Does your boiler cycle on and off randomly, or act strangely?

This is usually a sign of miscommunication between electronic components and the PCB, so an electrical diagnostic will need to be run to find the exact problem.

If the fan is broken, how much will it cost to fix, and how long will it take?

The fan itself will cost £100-£200 (parts only).

Labour costs are likely to be a further £150. This will vary depending on the length of the diagnostic, and the complexity of fitting a new fan on your boiler.

So, in total you should expect to pay around £250-350 for a replacement fan.

The time taken to replace the fan will be around a full working day. This accounts for a diagnostic, picking up parts, replacing and testing the new fan.

How will the boiler engineer determine if it’s a wiring or connection problem, rather than a faulty part?

All electrical components on a boiler can be tested using a multi-meter.

These devices help determine which components, circuits, connections and sections of wiring are offering weak or unstable connections.

If an electrical problem is found on the fan, will it need to be replaced?

If there’s an electrical problem to or from the fan, it isn’t likely you’ll need a replacement.

Whereby the issue is a loose connection, these connections need to be re-secured. And, if it’s a specific section of wiring that’s causing the issue, this will need to be replaced or repaired.

After doing so, the engineer will need to then test the fan, to check there are no more issues.

I’ve recently noticed water beneath my boiler, will this have contributed to the fan failure?

Water damage is the #1 killer of electronic components in boilers, and could easily affect the fan’s operation.

The water doesn’t have to drip directly onto components, wiring or connections to cause damage.

The internal heat of boilers means that water can easily heat up, condense, and then settle on these components. Over time, this will cause damage.

I’ve been having problems with my display panel, is this connected to the Baxi 160 fault code?

Any electrical problem could be linked to the Baxi 160 fault code.

A typical thing we find is a boiler displays a fault code, and a possible scenario is the component’s connection (in this case, the fan) with the PCB.

After talking with the owner, we find other fault codes have been displayed in the past, also suggesting a bad communication with the PCB.

In this case, there’s a good chance that the PCB is at fault, and not the individual components, such as the fan.

How much does it cost to replace a PCB?

PCBs are one of the most expensive boiler components. A replacement (boiler model dependent) could be as much as £600.

So, before replacing a PCB, your engineer will need to ensure that the other important (and expensive) components are in good condition.

Because if just one or two other parts aren’t in good condition, the more cost-effective solution here would be to consider a replacement boiler.

Is there anything else that could be causing the Baxi 160 fault code to be displayed?

Another linked-cause could be related to your flue.

For your fan to be operational, the air pressure switch monitors pressure within the boiler.

When this is incorrect, it won’t send the signal to the PCB, for other parts to fire into life.

This can happen if a flue suddenly becomes blocked. The air pressure switch notices the blockage, and knows even if the fan is operational, the harmful flue gases wouldn’t be expelled.

This is only common with vertical flues (that go through the roof) that haven’t been fitted with a protective cage.

Other Baxi boiler issues

For more boiler issues regarding the Baxi Boiler then please visit the Baxi Boiler Problems And Cures page.