Many modern washing machines display error codes if they detect a fault, but they don’t all display a readable error code – or one you might understand. The more basic ones don’t have an electronic display so they may indicate an error code by flashing, or lighting up specific 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.
Forbes specialise in renting Bosch appliances so they know them inside out. They also rent other brands and many other products – more details
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
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Flashing light explanations for Hotpoint WMA models
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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.
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.
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.
hi Andy
thanks for the reply. I checked the system, and found a damaged wire to the thermistor. snapped due to heat
Hello Rav. Thanks for the update, this just proves my point about how unreliable error codes can be. The thermistor is completely different from a heater relay. Glad you sorted it.
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