Ferroli A68 Fault Code: Causes, Fixes & Repair Costs
What does the Ferroli A68 fault code mean?
The A68 code is a manual lockout fault on Ferroli boilers, meaning the boiler has shut itself down and will not restart without a deliberate reset. It points to a failure in reading or loading the Boiler Chip Card (BCC) service key — a small electronic card that stores the boiler's configuration data and firmware parameters for the control board (PCB). When the PCB cannot successfully access this data, it triggers the A68 lockout. You may also see this displayed as F68-A68 on some models. The closely related code F67 simply indicates the BCC card is connected, while F66 points to a firmware loading failure — both sit in the same family of BCC/PCB communication faults. Because this is fundamentally an electronics issue rather than a simple system pressure or condensate problem, it almost always requires a Gas Safe registered engineer to resolve.
General guidance only — not a substitute for professional advice, and not certified by a Gas Safe engineer. Always have your specific appliance assessed by a qualified professional. Any gas work must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. If you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide, leave the property and call the National Gas Emergency line on 0800 111 999.
Common causes
- Corrupted or failed BCC service key card Common
The BCC chip card itself has become unreadable — either through age, moisture ingress, or physical damage. This is the most direct cause of the A68 lockout, since the PCB simply cannot load what it needs from a card that is no longer functioning correctly.
- Poor connection between BCC card and PCB Common
Even if the card is not damaged, a loose or corroded contact between the BCC card and the PCB socket can prevent the data from loading. Vibration over time or a previous service where the card was not reseated properly can cause this.
- PCB (control board) failure Sometimes
If the BCC card and its connections are in good order but the fault persists, the PCB itself may have failed and is unable to read or process the card data. An engineer would carry out electrical checks with a multimeter to confirm this before recommending a replacement board.
- Firmware corruption on the control board Rare
The related code F66 flags a firmware loading failure, and A68 can sometimes accompany or follow it. In these cases the software on the control board may be corrupted, which is also something only an engineer with the correct diagnostic equipment can address.
How to fix it
- Attempt a manual reset of the boiler DIY safe
Locate the reset button on the front of your Ferroli boiler and hold it down for approximately 10 seconds. If the fault clears and the boiler fires up normally, monitor it over the next hour or two. If the A68 code returns — particularly if it comes back two or three times in quick succession — stop resetting it and move to the next step, as repeated resets will not fix an underlying electronics fault and may mask it.
- Call a Gas Safe registered engineer to diagnose the fault Gas Safe engineer
Because the A68 relates to the boiler's internal electronics — specifically the BCC chip card and PCB — there is nothing further a homeowner can safely do. Contact a Gas Safe registered engineer and quote the A68 fault code when booking. You can verify any engineer's credentials at gassaferegister.co.uk.
- Engineer inspection: reseat or replace the BCC service key card Gas Safe engineer
The engineer will access the control board area, inspect the BCC card for damage, and check that it is properly seated in its socket. Cleaning the contacts and reseating the card sometimes resolves the fault at minimal cost. If the card itself is faulty, replacing it is generally the lower-cost repair outcome for this fault code.
- Engineer inspection: test wiring and PCB connections Gas Safe engineer
If reseating the BCC card does not resolve the fault, the engineer will use a multimeter to check for continuity and any breaks in the circuit between the card, its wiring loom, and the PCB. Damaged or corroded wiring will be repaired or replaced at this stage.
- PCB replacement if required Gas Safe engineer
Should the wiring and BCC card both check out, the PCB itself is likely to be the root cause. The engineer will source a compatible replacement board for your specific Ferroli model. Note that on older or discontinued models, parts availability can affect lead times, so ask the engineer to confirm availability before committing to the repair.
Parts you may need
- Ferroli BCC Service Key Card · from £45
- Ferroli PCB (Control Board) — model dependent · from £180
- PCB Wiring Loom / Connector Set · from £35
The exact spare depends on your boiler's GC number (on the data badge). Check this against the part before buying.
Typical repair cost
Expect to pay roughly £100–£320, depending on the underlying cause.
Frequently asked questions
Can I fix the Ferroli A68 fault myself?
No. Unlike some fault codes where a homeowner can top up system pressure or thaw a frozen condensate pipe, the A68 is an internal electronics lockout involving the BCC chip card and control board (PCB). The only safe DIY action is a single manual reset. If the code returns, you need a Gas Safe registered engineer to carry out the repair.
How much does it cost to fix a Ferroli A68 fault?
If the BCC card simply needs reseating or replacing, the total cost including a callout and labour is typically in the region of £100–£180. If the PCB needs to be replaced, expect to pay £200–£320 all-in for parts and labour. In rare cases on older Ferroli models where the PCB is harder to source, the cost can edge higher — if a quote significantly exceeds £400, it is worth considering whether replacement of the boiler is a better long-term investment, particularly on a unit over 10 years old.
What is the difference between Ferroli codes A68, F67, and F66?
These three codes all relate to the BCC (Boiler Chip Card) and control board communication. F67 simply flags that a BCC card is connected to the boiler — on its own it is not necessarily a fault. F66 indicates a failure to load the boiler's firmware. A68 (sometimes shown as F68-A68) is a full lockout caused by an error loading the BCC service key file — the most serious of the three and the one that will prevent the boiler from running until it is resolved.
My Ferroli boiler keeps showing A68 after I reset it — what should I do?
If the A68 code returns after one or two resets, stop resetting the boiler. Repeated resets will not fix an electronics fault and may indicate the PCB is struggling. Switch the boiler off and call a Gas Safe registered engineer as soon as possible. In the meantime, if you have no heating or hot water and the weather is cold, check whether your home insurance or boiler cover policy includes emergency call-out, as this type of fault is typically covered by dedicated boiler breakdown policies.