The error code F05 on some Hotpoint (and some Indesit) washing machines means, the pressure switch has “jammed” on. Note that this error is wrongly reported on many other websites as being, “there’s a problem with emptying the water”. But whilst this may sometimes be the cause, it is only one possibility. You need to fully understand the proper explanation to troubleshoot this error.
The pressure switch’s job is to signal when the drum has water inside, and when it does not. So if the switch is jammed on, the washing machine will think it is full of water when it should be empty. It then refuses to spin, and may abort the cycle. Sometimes this is caused because there is a problem with draining the water. If it is, then it should be an easy fix. But sometimes the water has successfully pumped away, and you still get the F05 error. If so, you need to understand how the pressure system works.
Pressure switch jammed on
Before a washing machine kicks into a spin, it needs a signal that the water has pumped away successfully. The last thing it wants to do is spin with the drum full of water. The water would be thrown out through the soap dispenser and various other places. So it waits for a signal from the pressure switch so that it knows it’s safe to spin. The error F05 indicates that for various possible reasons it’s not getting that signal.
There are three main explanations for a pressure switch still being on when the washing machine thinks it has pumped all the water away. Firstly, the pressure switch could be jammed on, literally. That is, the water has pumped away, but the switch is stuck in the on position. Secondly, the water might have successfully pumped out, but a blockage in the pressure system is trapping the air pressure that holds the pressure switch on. Finally, it could just be being held on because the water has not pumped away at all, and the volume of water is still activating the switch. For more information on this, read — how does washing machine control water levels?
Simple F05 error explanation
So a simple explanation for this error code is that the software controlling the washing machine thinks it has just pumped all the water away, but the pressure switch is still on.
Pressure switch jammed, or being held on?
The first thing to check is simple. Is the washing machine still full, or partially full, of water? If you can see that there is water in the drum, and you can clearly see that it hasn’t pumped away properly, then this is the fault. This issue can be caused by a pump fault, or blockage somewhere. If so, follow this guide for a washing machine stuck full of water.
If there is no water left inside the drum (apart from the obviously very soggy laundry that has not been properly spun) then F05 could be caused by a faulty pressure switch (this is rare), or a blocked pressure system.
A blockage in the pressure system can trap air pressure in the tube, keeping the pressure switch on. In this case, pulling off the small tube at the base of the pressure switch should result in an audible click as the pressure is released, and the pressure switch springs back to off (unplug machine first!). Bear in mind that if looking at the machine some time after the fault, trapped air in the pressure system could have slowly seeped out over time. For more details and help about faulty pressure switch or blocked pressure system, check this article faults on pressure system.
More causes of F05 error
Other faults listed as possible causes for this error are, faulty connections, and even the PCB, which I wouldn’t advise replacing speculatively. If you have error F05 and can see the washing machine is full of water, then you may be able to fix it by following this guide for a washing machine stuck full of water. Otherwise, you would probably be better calling an engineer – book an engineer.
Don’t get carried away
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Hello Kirsty, my 3rd paragraph in this article answers your question.
Thank you awesome people as following your advice above I have just fixed my machine by myself :)
I had error f05 undid my very suck filter (all sorts of debris,bra bones pen lids etc) know a working washing machine yay thankyou x
Thanks for this, my partner fitted a new sink trap, added complications were that the B &Q sink trap rather pointlessly had a black bung plug in it, my partner had fitted many of these things before, all seemed fine until this f05 error code was displayed … thanks to google and white goods help, as my now exhausted partner went to sleep leaving me to cope with a load of washing which wouldn’t drain, i set to dismantling the outlet hose from the new sink trap, expecting a gush of water from the pipe instead only a trickle it was then i looked inside to see the blockage, behold the pointless bung plug. Once that was removed all was good and ready to used a few pounds there and the embarrassment of my partner lol!!!
Just had this fault and your answers directed me straight to the fault! Noisy pump and still full of water going into spin mode, took the inlet pipe of the pump and there was a 20p coin intermittently jamming the pump motor!
Hello Jodie. That’s a great story, I’m sure he would have fixed it though if you had given him chance ;)
The bung by the way is there so that it can be fitted to the u-bend in preparation for a new appliance to be plumbed in, especially in a new house for example. Without the bung in place, the sink would be unusable because any water running into the sink would leak out of the spigot that the appliance is due to be connected to. It also serves a purpose if for example you move house, or disconnect the washing machine whilst waiting for a new one to be delivered. You can refit the bung and the sink will remain usable.
Thanks John, glad to have helped.
WMEF742P F05 error. Phoned hotpot and was quoted 110 to 185 pounds to replace the pump, including labour. At the front, bottom right, behind a panel, there’s a drain screw. Undid, water everywhere but found the culprit to be a mass of hair, with hair slides and two one penny coins. Removed all objects, set the wm to spin cycle and it’s now spinning away, drying our clothes. Common sense, free.
F05 Means that the pump could be jammed with something like a cotton bud, hair band, bra cup wire etc. They jam the pump stop the m/c from emptying Access to the point where the pump is usually jammed is via the trap located bottom front of m/c. BEWARE it can get very messy if the machine is full of water, so best to have a rubber gloves, mob and buck, lots of old towels, old toothbrush and a large painting tray to hand.
Steps to take
Unplug m/c from mains. and if possible shut off water to m/c
Remove the lower front kick panel of the m/c
Partially unscrew trap to allow a little water at a time to escape into the tray and close off when tray is full, repeat until m/c is empty.
When no more water comes out fully unscrew and remove trap.
With rubber gloves on, reach in to see is any thing is fowling the plastic blades of the pump impeller and remove.
When all items are removed, check to see if the impeller moves freely.
If impeller is still not moving or no items found it is best to call an engineer as they pump or water level switch may be faulty.
Before refitting the trap it is so clean the thread on the trap and machine with the old toothbrush then refit it make sure it is firmly. Don’t over tighten or leave loose
If you found items in the trap and impeller moves then you plug m/c to the mains, turn water back on and use normally. Otherwise wait for engineer.
Finally remember before you do any washing, check and empty all pockets and remove cup wires from bras before washing!!
Thanks so much for sharing your ideas and tips here, they have been very helpful and they do indeed relate to Indesit washing machines too. A few weeks ago my washing machine – an Indesit WITL 62 – began failing to complete its programme just before going in to the fast spin cycle with error F05. The pump was working but seemed to be pumping at a lower rate than what would seem reasonable. After searching the compartment in front of the pump and its output for blockage I looked at the pressure switch and the area where it forms an intersection with the output of the drum. There I found the culprit, a whole sock was in there! Thanks again for sharing your insight, it was due to this article that I looked at the pressure switch and was lead to check beneath the drum.