What do Hotpoint Aquarius lights flashing mean?

Flashing lights on washing machine

There are several error codes on Hotpoint Aquarius washing machines that are indicated by flashing lights. It’s less common these days, but many basic models of washing machine lack an electronic display. So, being unable to display actual error codes, they need to indicate errors in a more cryptic way.

This article is about specific basic models such as, WMA30, WMA31, WMA32 & WMA33 (although they may be the same for other Hotpoint Aquarius models using led lights). Aquarius models with a proper digital display would indicate error codes in a more sophisticated manner using actual text such as F1.. F15 etc.

The door lock light is flashing

This one is simple, and you should be to work it out yourself. If the door locked light is flashing, then the door is probably not properly shut. If the door is properly closed, but the door locked light is still flashing, then there may be a fault. It could be a fault on the door lock itself, or maybe the door lock is not being properly activated when the door closes. When the door closes, the door catch should fit inside the lock and operate something inside, which activates the lock. (How does a washing machine door lock work?)

Wash light is flashing

This would usually happen if someone turns the wash selected dial after the wash has started. Maybe a child has messed with it? The light should stop flashing at the end of the programme.

Pre-wash light is flashing

A flashing pre-wash light indicates a filling fault on these models. The software in the washing machine believes that the correct amount of water has not gone into the machine during the maximum time allowed. The first things to check are that the tap hasn’t been left turned off, or there are no kinked hoses etc. For full diagnostic on fill faults, check here – not filling with water

The end light is flashing

The end of cycle light flashes when the washing machine has been paused. Hopefully, pressing start/cancel should get it running again. If not, try cancelling the program and starting again.

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Final spin light flashing

The manual says this is not a fault as such, but the out of balance detection system hasn’t been satisfied that the load inside is safe to spin, and therefore it has aborted the spin cycle. If you see the spin light flashing, you will probably find the laundry has not been spun dry.

In this situation you should find your laundry sopping wet, and clearly many people might interpret this as washing machine breakdown. This should only be an occasional occurrence. For full details on out of balance detection and how to load the washing machine properly, read my articles here — Why is the spin light flashing at the end of the cycle?

What if all the lights are flashing?

This indicates a critical error. The wash cycle has been abandoned. Unfortunately, this is one of those faults with no easily identifiable cause. The technical manual implicates potential faults on the motor, pump, drain hose and associated plumbing, pressure switch, pressure chamber and presumably many potential connection issues too. If this is a one-off occurrence, keep fingers crossed and keep an eye on the machine. Otherwise, call an engineer (Find an appliance engineer)

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15 thoughts on “What do Hotpoint Aquarius lights flashing mean?”

  1. Hi,

    Just a comment about the all lights flashing error: that happened to me and clearing the waste pipe of gunge fixed it. I think the machine thought it was in an error state because the gunge has blocked the pipe so much that it had created a vacuum between the waste pipe and the wider pipe it goes into. Fairly disgusting to clean but so far no more flashing lights.

  2. Dave Rico Richardson

    Hi, in regards to the flashing lights on my machine, I checked the waste pipe to find it blocked I did as previous comment did cleared it hey presto washing machine works thank you for the advice
    Dave richardson

  3. My Hotpoint Aquarius machine led lights, not of wash cycle but others like reduce crease etc ones and start / off lights flashing after washing up finished. Couldn’t open the door, couldn’t switch off the machine? So switched off from the mains then could open the door and take out the washed clothes. Haven’t tried to switch on the machine again? Is it safe to restart NOW?

  4. My Aquarius is stopping in the middle of the drying program with all lights flashing. After reading the above suggestions I attempted to check the drain filter but found the cap to be completely solid and unable to undo! I’m concerned that it might break causing more problems if I force it.

  5. My husband has tried pump and filter still the same, it’s doing a wash but won’t empty or rinse or spin can you help please we’ve just got a new pressure switch so going to try that.

  6. Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp)

    Hello Edith. A pressure switch fault can’t cause washing machine to not empty the water out. if it won’t empty this is the article washing machine won’t empty It’s a long article but covers all possibilities including what if the pump is running and you can’t find a blockage but it still won’t empty the water.

  7. Hi, My Hotpoint washer drier door handle broke which I replaced along with the interlock which broke while forcibly opening the door initially.
    It all appears to work fine except the lock light flashes and won’t start the cycle, do you have any ideas?
    Thanks

  8. Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp)

    Hello Chris. I can’t really say anything differently to what I say in the actual article under the heading, “The door locked light is flashing”. Unless by any chance the door lock flashing is different for your washing machine (checking instruction manual if possible) then the door lock light flashing usually means that the door is not closed. If it obviously is closed, then something is causing the door lock to not register the fact that it’s closed. The first main suspects are either the door latch is not fitted correctly and is not operating the door lock, or the door is not fitted correctly somehow.

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