If your washing machine is displaying a fault code on the LCD, it can be tricky to figure out what it means. Take a look at these Indesit washing machine error codes and our explanation of what they can indicate.
Indesit washing machines are manufactured by Whirlpool, so you may see some similarities in the explanations between this guide and our Whirlpool washing machine error code breakdown.
F01 Indesit washing machine error code (control board failure)
The machine has detected that the control board has failed. This can mean that the control board cables have come loose or that the control module needs to be replaced.
What you should do:
- Check that the cables are securely fitted to the control board
- Check the cables from the LCD to the main control module
- Inspect the control module for any burn marks
If the cables all seem to be in good condition then the control module will most likely be defective. Indesit washing machine control boards are fairly economical and will come preprogrammed for your machine.
F02 Indesit washing machine error code (motor fault)
The machine is experiencing issues with the drive motor. Indesit washing machine drives motors primarily use carbon brushes to conduct the power, which can wear down over time.
The first thing you should do is inspect the carbon brushes which are located on either side of the motor. If the carbon brushes appear to have little length left on them, it’s a good idea to replace them.
If the machine is still experiencing problems you should try the following:
- Check the wires going from the control module down to the motor
- Check the tachometer wiring at the back of the motor
- Inspect the motor connector block for loose cables or signs of damage
If the cables and the motor connector block seem to be good, then the motor will need to be replaced. In some rare cases, the motor causes the control module to short circuit, meaning both will need to be replaced.
F03 Indesit washing machine error code (temperature sensor)
The machine has indicated a problem with one of the temperature sensors. The F03 error code doesn’t specify which sensor is faulty, so the faulty sensor will need to be located and repaired.
If your machine is a washer and dryer, then it will have more than one temperature sensor. One sensor is located on the heating element at the bottom rear of the drum inside the wash heating element.
How to fix the Indesit F03 error code:
- Check the NTC wiring on the wash heating element
- Test and replace the NTC on the wash heating element
- Inspect the dryer sensor which is located on the dryer heating duct
- Make sure all the cables are securely fitted on the dryer heating duct
If all of the temperature sensors are correctly working, then the fault points towards the control board. If the control board has become defective, it may no longer be able to receive information from the sensors.
F05 Indesit washing machine error code (pump failure)
The drain pump has failed to remove the water from the machine. Indesit washing machines will display the F05 error code if the machine does not drain the water away within 4 – 5 minutes.
The most common reason Indesit washing machines struggle to drain the water is due to a blockage.
Common places to find a blockage:
- The drain pump filter
- The sump pipe
- The water waste pipe
- The spigot under the sink
Most washing machines are prone to becoming blocked with all items of clothing, coins and other items that get left in pockets.
If the machine does not have a blockage then the problem may be with the drain pump. The drain pump impeller can become damaged if it has struggled to clear a blockage in the past.
F06 Indesit washing machine error code (door lock fault)
The machine has indicated that the door interlock has failed. Either the door will either not open after a cycle or the door will not lock at the start of the cycle.
What you should do:
- Check the wiring from the control board to the door lock
- Inspect the door interlock connector block for signs or burning
- Make sure the door handle has not snapped
- Try replacing the door interlock if the cables are visibly sound
It’s common for door locks to fail on a washing machine. Luckily, most washing machine door interlocks are economical and are usually a straightforward repair.
If the door lock and the door handle are not at fault, then the control module should be replaced.
We have a full guide on how to fix the F06 error code on an Indesit washing machine which you might find helpful.
F07 Indesit washing machine error code (heating circuit)
The F07 error code indicates that the electronic circuit board has a fault or the heating circuit has an open circuit.
If your machine is a washer and a dryer, then at the top there will be a heating duct where the drying cycle takes place. You can get access to the heating element, the sensors and the fan by removing the top half of the duct.
What to check:
- Check if the heating element has an open circuit
- Check the heating element for low electrical insulation
- Make sure all of the wires are correctly attached
- Inspect and test the temperature sensors
- Make sure that the fan is still able to rotate
If you can’t find a fault with the heating circuit, then the error code would indicate a problem with the electronic circuit board. The control board will need to be replaced with a new one.
F08 Indesit washing machine error code (wash heater)
The heating element that heats the water during a cycle has failed. The heating element can be accessed at the rear of the machine by removing the metal access panel.
The first thing that should be checked is the electrical wiring that powers the heating element. If a wire has come loose then the heating element won’t receive any power. Sometimes the wires can burn and melt away at the end.
If the wiring seems to be in good condition, the heating element will likely have an open circuit or low insulation.
Indesit washing machine heating elements are very economical and are usually easy to source. It’s worth trying to replace the heating element before replacing the machine.
F09 Indesit washing machine error code (software error)
The control module has a software error and needs to be reprogrammed or replaced. Indesit washing machines are prone to getting errors with the software and this can sometimes mean that the control module needs to be replaced.
Before trying to replace the control board, it’s worth disconnecting the machine from the power supply for 10 minutes and then reconnecting it. You should then try a new cycle and see if the error code will go away on its own.
If this doesn’t work then it means that the control board has failed. Indesit washing machine control boards have a fluctuating price point, meaning sometimes it can be more economical to replace the entire machine rather than buy a new circuit board.
F11 Indesit washing machine error code (pump circuit)
The F11 Indesit washing machine error code means that there is a problem with the pump circuit. This can indicate a problem with the wires or the pump.
What to check:
- Check the wires that give power to the pump for obvious signs of damage
- Take a look at the wires on the control board and look for loose connections
- Make sure that the pump doesn’t have a blockage
If the problem continues then the pump will need to be replaced. If you have access to an electrical multimeter, then it’s worth checking that there is not an open circuit somewhere between the control board and the pump before ordering a new drain pump.
If the drain pump has had to deal with any bad blockages such as coins or small items of clothing, then the pump impeller can get stuck and overheat, sometimes causing the control module to become defective.
F12 Indesit washing machine error code (control module)
The machine is experiencing a problem with a defective control module. This error code will usually display at the start of the cycle and won’t allow the machine to continue.
What you should check:
- Make sure that the machine has a good power supply
- Check all of the cables that are plugged into the control board
- If your machine has a separate circuit board for the LCD – Make sure that the LCD is correctly plugged into the main control module
- Make sure that the mains interference filter is not faulty
If the F12 error code persists then it most likely means that the control board needs to be replaced, which can be quite a costly repair.
The price of Indesit washing machine circuit boards fluctuates depending on the model, and sometimes it’s not worth repairing the machine.
F13 Indesit washing machine error code (dryer sensor)
The machine has indicated a problem with the dryer temperature sensor. The F13 error code is exclusive to Indesit washer dryers only.
What to check if your machine is displaying the F13 fault code:
- Check the wires from the circuit board to the temperature sensor are intact
- Make sure that the dryer duct does not have a blockage causing the sensor to cut out
- If your machine has a thermal overload cutout and has experienced overheating, replace the TOC.
- Test and replace the temperature sensors located in the dryer duct
Most of the time, replacing the faulty sensor will clear the fault code. If all of the sensors have been tested and no faulty can be found, then this would indicate a problem with the control board.
F15 Indesit washing machine error code (heater control error)
The machine is experiencing a problem when trying to heat the water during a cycle. This is a none specific error code and can indicate a problem with the heating element, temperature sensor or wiring.
With this fault code, you may experience the machine pausing and end during the cycle. This will usually be at the point in the cycle when the water needs to be heated.
What you should check:
- Check the heating element for an open circuit
- Check the electrical insulation of the heating element
- Check for breaks in the wiring from the control board down to the heater
- Test the NTC sensor and replace it if defective
If no fault can be found with any of the above parts, then it would point to a problem with the printed circuit board.
F16 Indesit washing machine error code (drum lock position)
The F16 error code means that the drum has stopped in the wrong position or it is not locked in the correct position. This fault code is exclusive to top loading machines.
Top loading washing machines require the drum to be in a specific position so that the clothes can be loaded before a cycle.
The first thing that you should check is for an obstruction which is stopping the drum from locking in the correct position. If the machine has something stuck near the drum or the motor, this can throw the drum off course.
If no obstruction can be found, then you should inspect the drive belt. If the drive belt has snapped during a wash cycle then the drum may have gotten stuck in the wrong position.
If the drum seems to be in the correct position, then the drum lock position sensor may have become defective, which means it would have to be replaced.
F18 Indesit washing machine error code (data error)
The machine’s control board has an internal data error. The F18 error code is similar to the F09 error which means that the software has malfunctioned and the control module needs to be reprogrammed or replaced.
We wrote a full post on how to fix the F18 error code on an Indesit washing machine which you might find helpful.
With this fault code, you may see the digital display flashing or have a lack of functionality. This most likely means that the printed circuit board needs to be replaced fr a new one.
Before replacing the control board, you should visually inspect all of the cables and wires that are plugged into the control board to make sure they are all securely connected. Any loose cables can cause the control board to think it has a data error.
As mentioned in the F09 error explanation, the control board can be an expensive repair, meaning you will have to decide if it’s economical to repair the machine.
