E160 Boiler Fault Code: What It Means on Every Brand

E160 is a fan fault on Baxi, Potterton and Main alike: the control board cannot see the flue fan running at the speed it expects. Fans are engineer-only repairs on gas boilers; the one homeowner check is whether the flue terminal outside is blocked or iced.

Lockout — engineer likely 3 brands use this code

Which brand is your boiler?

The brand is printed on the front casing. Tap your brand for the full causes, fixes and repair costs.

Brand	What E160 means	Severity	DIY?
BBaxi	The E160 code on a Baxi boiler indicates a fan fault. Full guide →	Lockout — engineer likely	No
MMain	The E160 code on a Main boiler indicates that the boiler's control system has detected a problem with the flue fan — either it isn't spinning at all, or it's failing to reach and maintain… Full guide →	Lockout — engineer likely	No
PPotterton	The E160 code appears when the boiler's control board detects a problem with the fan system and responds by locking the boiler out as a safety precaution. Full guide →	Lockout — engineer likely	No

E160 brand by brand

Baxi E160

The E160 code on a Baxi boiler indicates a fan fault. Specifically, the boiler's control board has detected that the flue fan is either not spinning at all, or is running at the wrong speed. Because the fan is responsible for safely venting combustion gases out through the flue and drawing in the correct amount of fresh air for burning, the boiler locks itself out as a safety measure rather than attempt to fire without it working properly. The fault will not clear on its own — the underlying issue must be addressed before the boiler will operate again.

Causes, fixes & costs for Baxi E160 → · All Baxi codes

Main E160

The E160 code on a Main boiler indicates that the boiler's control system has detected a problem with the flue fan — either it isn't spinning at all, or it's failing to reach and maintain the correct operating speed. As a safety measure, the boiler locks out and stops firing until the fault is resolved. The fan plays a critical role in safe combustion: it draws fresh air into the burner and pushes combustion gases out through the flue. Without it working correctly, harmful gases could accumulate, so the boiler is right to shut itself down. Note that Main is a brand within the Baxi Group, and E160 carries the same meaning across all Baxi Group boilers — so if you have a Baxi, Potterton, or similar model showing E160, the same diagnosis and repair approach applies.

Causes, fixes & costs for Main E160 → · All Main codes

Potterton E160

The E160 code appears when the boiler's control board detects a problem with the fan system and responds by locking the boiler out as a safety precaution. The fan is responsible for drawing air into the combustion chamber and expelling exhaust gases through the flue. Before the boiler will attempt to fire, the PCB waits for confirmation from the air pressure switch that the fan is spinning at the correct speed. If that confirmation never arrives — or arrives erratically — the boiler decides it cannot operate safely and shuts down, displaying E160. This fault is common across several Potterton ranges, including the Gold HE and Titanium series.

Causes, fixes & costs for Potterton E160 → · All Potterton codes

Frequently asked questions

Is the E160 fault code the same on every boiler?

Broadly, yes — on Baxi, Main and Potterton the E160 code points to the same class of fault, and the recommended response is similar. Model-specific details such as sub-codes and reset procedures still vary, so follow the page for your own brand.

Can I fix a E160 fault myself?

Not usually. On every brand listed, E160 points to a fault that needs a suitably registered engineer to diagnose and repair. A single reset to rule out a transient glitch is reasonable; repeated resets are not.

Who should I call about a E160 fault?

For gas boilers, a Gas Safe registered engineer — it is a legal requirement for any work on the appliance. If you smell gas at any point, leave the property and call the National Gas Emergency line on 0800 111 999.

General guidance only — not a substitute for professional advice, and not certified by a registered engineer. Any work on a gas appliance must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. If you smell gas, call 0800 111 999.