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Washing machine lights flashing

Flashing lights Many modern washing machines display error codes if they detect a fault, but they don’t all display a readable error code. The more basic ones indicate an error by flashing, or lighting some of the lights.

If your washing machine stops working and you can see some of the lights flashing, or one or more option lights have lit up, then make a note of which lights are flashing and which option lights are lit so you can report it when booking an engineer or researching the fault. However, most flashing light error codes are listed in the technical books as LED1, LED 2 etc and not by name

If the washing machine is flashing a single light, count the number of flashes. For example, the door locked indicator may flash 7 times, pause, and flash another 7 times in a constant cycle which would indicate error code 7. If it is just flashing continuously, with no pause, then it isn’t indicating an error code. It may still have a problem, but it isn’t giving any clues.

If there is no cycle of flashes as described above, but one or more option lights have lit up then this may be the machine’s way of showing an error code. Note: The error code lists engineers have access to only show option lights by number, and not by name. Therefore you need to report the lights as LED 1 and 3, or 2 and 4 etc. and not “delay timer” and “extra rinse”. Count the lights from the left (or from the top if in a column) and report as “led 1 and 3” etc.

This information is vital, and needs mentioning when reporting a fault. I have an appliance error code section which gives further insight into why error codes aren’t readily available to the public as well as explaining why many aren’t much use to you anyway. Some of the more common and simple error codes are listed though – Washing machine error codes

Flashing light explanations for Hotpoint WMA models

Hotpoint Aquarius lights flashing errors

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Comments

  1. My indesit washing machine won’t spin. It just stops and then the delay timer light plus the lock light continuously flash. This started happening last night after my partner had to put the bolts that go where the motor is back on as the belt kept slipping off. The belt is now ok but the lights keep flashing and my washer won’t spin. It fills up with water, goes round a bit, drains but doesn’t complete the cycle.

  3. My Indesit WIDL126 has 4 green vertical Leds on the left, and 4 buttons with green Leds horizontally at the top, as well as a red Led lock/reset light between the reset and start buttons. Whenever I turn on at the mains switch, Led 4 (bottom left) flashes 3 times a second, and so do the horizontal button Leds, and the red lock light. What ever I do with dials or buttons makes no difference, even with the door open or closed. All this happens with a load in the drum or empty. Nothing changes – power on, flashing. Power off, after 3 seconds, the Leds all fade out. It was all working one day, and then it wasn’t. Any ideas!!

  4. Hi Keith, the Indesit WIDL error codes are supposed to be displayed via the option buttons. If all 4 option buttons are flashing it is presumably showing F15 which is “Drying Relay – check heater relay”. This refers to the dryer section. The heater relay may be inside the main PCB. I would get an engineer to deal with it or assume it’s not going to be cheap. Note that if the machine doesn’t have a good earth either in the plug or socket they can generate false errors.

  6. Basically all errors are supposed to be trapped and cause an error code so the all lights flashing issue is not a proper error code. It’s not really supposed to do it. It could be a problem with one of the boards or lack of communication between them.

  7. Hi There, i have a Hotpoint/Indesit WDL540 which keeps stopping during a wash. I noticed every time it does this it clicks the door interlock solenoid six times. It did it a couple of times about 6 months ago then was fine again, but it now does it nearly every wash. When it fails, the lights from the bottom up 1: start/pause button pulses 2: after 6 click/flashes then stays off and the top but one stays on, all others off. Looking at other comments, there seems to be a consensus that the brushes are going. I have the lid off and assume the motor is placed underneath the drum or it is direct drive. The door catch looks and fine and got a strong return spring effect. Can anyone please help.

    I understand there is a serial port on the back of this machine, Is it RS232 because i could interrogate the unit via my laptop.

  8. I would have thought you’d need special software to be able to do anything with the serial port Gary. Engineers have a physical device (not a laptop) that they plug in which then displays the last error code. They don’t interact with the pcb, just read the code although they may have advanced since I last used one.

    If one light is flashing continuously in a pattern with a 1 second pause before repeating then reporting the number of flashes in a cycle gives the error code. If it’s not doing that and using option lights instead you need to count them from left to right or top to bottom and report which ones are lit up such as LED1 & 4

  9. Lights continuously flashing “Wash Enhance & Mini load” model WF541 Aquarius. How can this be fixed?

  11. Hi Andy,

    My Indesit WIXL123 is displaying the 1st 2 lights flashing continuously and the red light is also flashing.
    But sometimes if I unplug and re plug its okay for a while.

    Thanks.
    Bash.

  12. Hi Andy,

    I hope you can help

    I have the same problem that Robin Clark had on his wdl540. which the 4 bottom lights flash fast.
    i was wondering if you are able to help me narrow down the problem. i understand it could be a dryer heater open circuit? meaning the dryer element has stopped working and required replacement. if so are you able to send me a link on the part required?

    much appreciated.

  13. Some Hotpoint and Indesit washer dryers with all lights flashing can mean a faulty dryer heater relay but this is likely to be part of the main pcb and not available as a spare part – only the full pcb. I wouldn’t recommend buying one as error codes are too unreliable to risk buying expensive parts.

  14. hi Andy

    thanks for the reply. I checked the system, and found a damaged wire to the thermistor. snapped due to heat

  16. hi Andy,

    yes they can be. error codes can help, but never is certain. if we can locate the area of the problem, we can narrow it down, but need to be a little technical minded to understand the system in order to find the problem.

    much appreciated.

    Rav