Indesit Washing Machine Error Codes
Indesit washing machines use F codes on models with a digital display – F01, F02, F05, F08 and so on. Older Indesit machines without a digital display use flashing indicator lights – the number of flashes in the repeating pattern identifies the fault. Find your code or flash count in the tables below. Indesit shares its manufacturing platform and fault code system with Hotpoint under Beko Europe, so the codes are identical across both brands.
Codes covered on this page
F02 – Motor
F03 – NTC sensor
F04 – Pressure switch
F05 – Drain
F06 – Drum / motor
F07 – Tachogenerator
F08 – Door interlock
F09 – Overheating
F10 – Fill / motor control
F11 / F12 – Dual inlet
F13 – Water supply
F15 / F16 – Board / door
F17 – Water level
F18 – Pump
LED flash codes 1-13
Which Indesit machines does this guide cover?
This guide covers all Indesit washing machines and washer dryers sold in the UK, including the WIA, WIXE, WIXL, IWC, IWE, IWDC (washer dryer), and WIDL (washer dryer) series, as well as older Indesit machines with rotary dial controls and LED indicator fault displays. For broader brand context see our Indesit brand hub.
Digital display – F codesIndesit machines with a digital display show fault codes as F followed by a two-digit number – F01, F02, F05, F08 and so on. Some Indesit models also show a number only without the F prefix – Error 3 and F03 are the same fault. Write the exact code down before doing anything else.
LED indicator – flash codesOlder Indesit machines without a digital display show faults through flashing indicator lights. Count the number of flashes in the repeating sequence – the flash count corresponds to the fault number. Use the flash code table below.
Indesit and Hotpoint – identical codesIndesit and Hotpoint are both owned by Beko Europe and share the same manufacturing platforms and control systems. The error codes are identical across both brands. If you arrived here from a Hotpoint search, the codes and diagnosis steps are the same for Indesit machines – see our Hotpoint washing machine error codes guide.
Which Indesit codes are seen most often?
Across the field, four code groups account for the majority of Indesit fault callouts. Knowing which they are helps narrow the diagnosis before you open anything up.
Drain fault – almost always a blocked filter
Motor – carbon brushes on older machines
Door interlock – common at 5-10 years
Pressure switch – usually a disconnected hose
Indesit washing machine F code reference
The following codes apply to Indesit washing machines and washer dryers with a digital display, including the WIA, WIXE, WIXL, IWC, IWE, WIDL, and IWDC series.
| Code | Fault description | Most likely causes | Check first |
|---|---|---|---|
| F01 | Electronic circuit board fault – PCB not operating correctly | Main control board failure. Power supply fault. Wiring harness fault. Moisture damage to the board. | Switch off at the mains for 2 minutes, then restart. F01 sometimes clears on a power reset if the cause was a transient voltage event. If F01 returns consistently, the control board requires engineer diagnosis. Board replacement is expensive – confirm other causes have been ruled out first. See also the equivalent Hotpoint F01 deep-dive. |
| F02 | Motor circuit fault – drum rotation problem detected | Worn motor carbon brushes (most common on machines over five years old). Motor jammed. Tachogenerator failure. Motor winding failure. Wiring fault. | With the machine unplugged, check the drum rotates freely by hand. If it does, inspect the motor carbon brushes – see carbon brushes diagnostics guide. Replace if worn below 10mm. |
| F03 / Error 3 | Temperature sensing fault – NTC thermistor not reading correctly | Failed NTC thermistor. Loose or corroded wiring connector. Limescale on thermistor in hard water areas. | Test the NTC thermistor (approximately 30,000 ohms at room temperature, falling as temperature rises). In hard water areas, descale before testing – see how to descale a washing machine. Full guide – Indesit Error 3 / F03 heating fault. |
| F04 / F14 | Pressure switch fault – registering no water or incorrect water level | Failed pressure switch. Disconnected or split pressure switch hose. Soap suds blocking the pressure system. | Check the pressure switch hose connection at both the drum and pressure switch ends – a disconnected hose is a common cause of F04. Test the pressure switch. See our dedicated guide – Indesit F04 pressure system fault. |
| F05 | Drain / waste water fault – machine unable to drain, door may be locked shut | Blocked pump filter (single most common cause). Kinked or blocked drain hose. Standpipe too high. Foreign object blocking pump impeller. Failed drain pump motor. | Clean the pump filter behind the small access panel at the bottom front of the machine. Place towels and a shallow tray in front before opening. Unscrew anticlockwise, remove all debris, check the pump cavity, and refit firmly. The door will not open while water remains in the drum – resolving the drain fault releases the door. See washing machine not draining and the equivalent Hotpoint F05 deep-dive. |
| F06 | Drum not rotating – motor or brush fault | Worn motor carbon brushes. Drum obstruction. Motor failure. | Check drum rotates freely by hand with machine unplugged. Inspect and replace carbon brushes if worn below 10mm. |
| F07 | Motor fault – tachogenerator or motor speed sensor error | Failed tachogenerator. Wiring fault between tachogenerator and board. Worn carbon brushes. Motor winding failure. | Test tachogenerator resistance (typically 100 to 200 ohms – open circuit confirms failure). Check carbon brushes first as they are more likely to be the cause on older machines. See our dedicated guides – Indesit F07 motor fault and Indesit 7 flashes guide. |
| F08 | Door interlock fault – door lock not operating correctly | Failed door interlock. Wiring fault to interlock. Door not fully closed. Obstruction in door seal. | Open and firmly close the door, ensuring no clothing is trapped in the seal. If correct and F08 persists, test the door interlock for continuity. Genuine Indesit replacement interlocks are available through our spare parts section. See also washing machine door won’t open. |
| F09 | Overheating / heating relay fault | Safety thermostat triggered. NTC thermistor reading incorrectly. Heating element relay stuck closed. Control board fault. | Allow the machine to cool fully before restarting. Test the NTC thermistor. If it reads correctly, the fault is in the relay or control board. |
| F10 | Fill fault or motor control fault – varies by model generation | On older models – no cold fill (tap closed, blocked inlet filter, low pressure, failed inlet valve). On some models – motor control fault. | Confirm which meaning applies to your model. If fill-related – check tap, hose, and inlet filter. If motor-related – check drum rotation and carbon brushes. See our dedicated guide – Indesit 10 flashes / F10. |
| F11 | No hot fill – dual-inlet machines only | Hot water tap not open. Blocked hot inlet filter. Failed hot inlet valve solenoid. | Applies only to older dual-inlet Indesit machines. Confirm whether your machine has two inlet hoses. |
| F12 | No mixed fill – dual-inlet machines only | Both hot and cold inlet faults present simultaneously. | Check both hot and cold water supplies on dual-inlet machines only. |
| F13 | Water supply fault – inlet valve or supply issue | Inlet valve failure. Water supply problem. Connection issue at the inlet hose. | Check water supply, inlet valve, and hose connections. Test inlet valve solenoid for continuity. |
| F15 | Electronic control board fault (specific models) | Control board failure on models that use F15 as the primary board fault code. | Power cycle the machine. If F15 returns consistently, engineer diagnosis required. |
| F16 | Door lock fault (specific models) | Door interlock fault on models using F16 rather than F08. | Same checks as F08 – confirm door closes correctly and test interlock. |
| F17 | Water level fault – pressure switch reading abnormal or water level dropping | Pressure switch fault. Water leaving drum during cycle. Pressure hose split or disconnected. | Check for visible leakage. Inspect pressure switch hose. Test pressure switch. |
| F18 | Drain pump fault (specific models) | Drain pump motor failure. Wiring fault to pump. | Clean pump filter first. If clear, test drain pump motor for continuity. |
LED flash codes – Indesit machines without a digital display
Older Indesit washing machines, particularly those with rotary dial controls, communicate faults through the indicator lights flashing in a repeating pattern. Count the number of flashes in the repeating sequence – that number is the fault code.
Watch the lights flash and count the number in one complete repeating sequence before the pause. Confusing 8 flashes with 9 or 10 sends the diagnosis in the wrong direction entirely. Taking a short video on your phone and counting from the recording is the most reliable method.
| Flash count | Equivalent F code | Fault description | Most likely cause and action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 flash | F01 | Circuit board fault | Power cycle first. If persistent, engineer diagnosis required. |
| 2 flashes | F02 | Motor circuit fault | Check drum rotates freely. Inspect and replace carbon brushes if worn. |
| 3 flashes | F03 / Error 3 | Temperature / heating fault | Test NTC thermistor. Descale in hard water areas before replacing. |
| 4 flashes | F04 | Pressure switch fault | Check pressure switch hose at both ends. Test pressure switch. |
| 5 flashes | F05 | Drain / pump fault | Clean pump filter immediately – resolves the majority of Indesit 5-flash faults. |
| 6 flashes | F06 | Drum not rotating | Check drum rotates freely. Inspect carbon brushes. |
| 7 flashes | F07 | Motor / tachogenerator fault | Check brushes first. Test tachogenerator resistance. See – Indesit 7 flashes guide and F07 deep-dive. |
| 8 flashes | F08 | Door interlock fault | Close door firmly. If code persists, test interlock and replace. See – 8 flashes guide. |
| 9 flashes | F09 | Overheating fault | Allow machine to cool fully. Investigate overtemperature cause before restarting. |
| 10 flashes | F10 | Fill or motor control fault (model dependent) | See – 10 flashes guide. |
| 13 flashes | – | Washer dryer drying circuit fault | Applies primarily to Indesit washer dryer models (IWDC, WIDL series). See our dedicated Indesit washer dryer 13 flashes guide. |
What should you check before calling an engineer?
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Power cycle the machine. Switch off at the wall socket, wait 2 minutes, and switch back on. Transient codes sometimes clear on a power reset. If the same code returns consistently, it is a real fault.
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Clean the pump filter (F05, 5 flashes). The filter is behind the small access panel at the bottom front of the machine. Place towels in front before opening. Unscrew anticlockwise, remove all debris, check the pump cavity, and refit firmly.
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Inspect carbon brushes (F02, F06, 2 and 6 flashes). With the machine unplugged, check the drum rotates freely by hand. If it does, access the motor and inspect the carbon brushes. Replace if worn below 10mm.
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Check the door closes correctly (F08, 8 flashes). Open and firmly close the door, ensuring nothing is caught in the seal. If correct and the code persists, test the door interlock.
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Check the pressure switch hose (F04, F07, F17, 4 and 7 flashes). Check the narrow hose from the drum to the pressure switch is not blocked, kinked, or disconnected. A disconnected hose is a particularly common cause of F04 on Indesit machines.
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Descale the machine (F03, 3 flashes in hard water areas). Run an empty cycle on the hottest programme with a proprietary descaler before testing the NTC thermistor.
Safety notice
Always switch the machine off at the wall socket and unplug it before accessing any panels, the pump filter, or internal components. Never work on electrical components with the machine connected to the mains. Isolate the water supply at the inlet valve before disconnecting hoses.
A washing machine combines mains electricity with mains water – two of the most unforgiving things in a domestic setting. If you are not confident with electrical work or have any doubt about a fault, book a qualified engineer rather than attempt the repair yourself. See our full DIY appliance repair safety guide.
Indesit appliances have been the subject of UK safety notices in recent years across washer dryers and gas cookers, including the Hotpoint and Indesit dryer fire-risk notice and the Hotpoint and Indesit gas cooker safety notice. Always check the OPSS product safety database for any active recall on your appliance before continuing to use it.
Indesit error code pointing to a fault you cannot resolve?
If basic checks have not cleared the fault, a qualified engineer is the right next step. We cover Indesit washing machine repairs nationwide with genuine spare parts available for most models.
Indesit dedicated fault code guides
We have individual deeper-dive guides for the most common Indesit error codes and flash patterns. Use the cards below to jump straight to the relevant guide.
Indesit F03 / Error 3Temperature sensing fault – NTC thermistor, limescale, and how to test the heating circuit.
Indesit F04Pressure switch fault – disconnected hose, blocked tubing, and switch testing.
Indesit F07Motor tachogenerator fault – carbon brush wear and motor speed sensor diagnostics.
Indesit 7 flashesSame as F07 on machines without a digital display – flash-count diagnosis.
Indesit 8 flashes / Error 8Door interlock fault – close-and-confirm checks and interlock replacement.
Indesit 10 flashes / F10Fill or motor control fault – the variant by model generation.
Indesit washer dryer 13 flashesDrying circuit fault on Indesit washer dryer models (IWDC, WIDL series).
Hotpoint error codesSame Beko Europe platform – identical code system with additional Hotpoint-specific guides.
Looking for error codes on a different brand?
We have error code references for the other major UK washing machine brands. Use the cards below to jump to the relevant guide.
Hotpoint error codesHotpoint – same Beko Europe group, same F-code system.
Beko error codesBeko / Blomberg / Grundig – same parent group, different E-code system.
Blomberg error codesBlomberg – same Arçelik platform as Beko.
AEG error codesFull E-code reference for AEG washing machines.
Bosch error codesBosch washing machine E-code reference.
Candy error codesCandy washing machine error code reference.
Want to learn appliance fault diagnosis properly?
Reading error codes is one of the more basic skills in appliance repair. For anyone wanting to develop the full skill set – whether for a career, a side business, or just to repair their own appliances confidently – the NAC National Training Centre offers practical hands-on courses and online training delivered by working engineers.
Frequently asked questions about Indesit washing machine error codes
What does F05 mean on an Indesit washing machine?
F05 is a drain fault – the machine cannot drain within the expected time and the door often stays locked. In the vast majority of cases the cause is a blocked pump filter. The filter is behind the small access panel at the bottom front of the machine. Cleaning it takes around five minutes and resolves most F05 faults without any parts or an engineer visit. If the filter is clear and F05 persists, check the drain hose for kinks then test the drain pump motor – see also no blockage and still not draining.
What does Error 3 or F03 mean on an Indesit washing machine?
Error 3 or F03 indicates a temperature sensing fault – the NTC thermistor is not reading water temperature correctly. Test the thermistor with a multimeter (approximately 30,000 ohms at room temperature, falling as temperature rises). In hard water areas, run a descaling cycle before testing – limescale on the sensor can produce this code without the thermistor actually failing. See our dedicated guide – Indesit Error 3 / F03.
What does F04 mean on an Indesit washing machine?
F04 indicates a pressure switch fault – the machine’s water level sensor is reading incorrectly. A very common cause is a disconnected pressure switch hose – the narrow pipe running from the drum to the pressure switch. Check both ends of this hose are secure and the hose is not kinked or blocked. If the hose is intact and correctly connected, the pressure switch itself may have failed. See our dedicated guide – Indesit F04 pressure fault.
What does F07 mean on an Indesit washing machine?
F07 on Indesit machines typically indicates a motor tachogenerator fault – the motor speed sensor is not reading correctly. Check the carbon brushes first as worn brushes are a more common cause of motor problems on older Indesit machines than a failed tachogenerator. If the brushes are in good condition, test the tachogenerator resistance (typically 100 to 200 ohms). An open circuit reading confirms failure. See our dedicated guide – Indesit F07 motor fault.
What does 8 flashes mean on an Indesit washing machine?
8 flashes indicates a door interlock fault – the same as F08. Confirm the door closes fully with nothing obstructing the seal. If it closes correctly and the code persists, the door interlock has failed and requires replacement. See our dedicated guide – 8 flashes / Error 8.
What does 13 flashes mean on an Indesit washer dryer?
13 flashes on an Indesit washer dryer (typically the IWDC or WIDL series) indicates a fault in the drying circuit – the dryer heating element, drying NTC thermistor, or related wiring. The washing function may still operate correctly while the drying function shows the fault. See our dedicated Indesit washer dryer 13 flashes guide for diagnosis.
Are Indesit and Hotpoint washing machine error codes the same?
Yes. Indesit and Hotpoint are owned by Beko Europe and share the same manufacturing platforms. The F codes and LED flash codes are identical across both brands, and diagnosis steps and replacement parts are typically the same. If you cannot find your Indesit code fully detailed here, cross-referencing with our Hotpoint washing machine error codes guide is worthwhile.
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