What F04 actually means
The machine has tried to drain and the water hasn't gone away quickly enough, so it has stopped with a drum full of water.
Ariston washer dryers monitor how long the drain pump takes to clear the tub. If the water level hasn't dropped within the time the control board expects, the cycle halts and F04 is displayed — the same fault family as F05 on these machines. In practice it stops at the end of a wash or before a spin, and you'll usually find standing water in the drum and heavy clothes that haven't spun.
What F04 looks like on a Ariston washer dryer
Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Ariston washer dryer, F04 usually shows up as one or more of these:
- Machine not draining
- Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
- Stops mid-cycle full of water
- Standing water in the bottom
- Overfilling, or won't stop filling
- Stops with water still inside
- Fills and drains over and over
- No function at all
Recognise any of those? That is this fault, and the rest of this page explains what causes it and what you can check yourself.
What usually causes it
- A blocked pump filter — coins, buttons, hair grips or a build-up of fluff and detergent scum
- The waste hose kinked, crushed behind the machine or blocked at the U-bend or sink spigot
- A blockage in the sump hose between the tub and the pump
- A failed or jammed drain pump that hums but doesn't shift water
- Less often, the pump wiring or the control board driving the pump
What you can safely check yourself
Work through these in order. Anything beyond this — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the machine plugged in.
- Turn the machine off at the wall and leave it for a couple of minutes, then try a spin or drain programme — if it was a one-off it may clear.
- Clean the pump filter at the bottom front of the machine (put a shallow tray and towels down first, as there will be water behind it) and check for coins or fluff.
- Pull the machine out enough to see the waste hose and make sure it isn't kinked, squashed or pushed too far down the standpipe.
- If the waste hose runs into a sink trap or standpipe, check that isn't blocked — a slow-draining sink is a strong clue.
- Take a heavy, soaked load out and try again with the drum empty; a badly overloaded machine can drain sluggishly.
Common questions about Ariston F04
What does F04 mean on a Ariston washer dryer?
The machine has tried to drain and the water hasn't gone away quickly enough, so it has stopped with a drum full of water. Ariston washer dryers monitor how long the drain pump takes to clear the tub. If the water level hasn't dropped within the time the control board expects, the cycle halts and F04 is displayed — the same fault family as F05 on these machines. In practice it stops at the end of a wash or before a spin, and you'll usually find standing water in the drum and heavy clothes that haven't spun.
Can I fix Ariston F04 myself?
There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.
- Turn the machine off at the wall and leave it for a couple of minutes, then try a spin or drain programme — if it was a one-off it may clear.
- Clean the pump filter at the bottom front of the machine (put a shallow tray and towels down first, as there will be water behind it) and check for coins or fluff.
- Pull the machine out enough to see the waste hose and make sure it isn't kinked, squashed or pushed too far down the standpipe.
- If the waste hose runs into a sink trap or standpipe, check that isn't blocked — a slow-draining sink is a strong clue.
- Take a heavy, soaked load out and try again with the drum empty; a badly overloaded machine can drain sluggishly.
This sometimes clears with those checks. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.
How much does it cost to repair Ariston F04?
£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
Tried the checks and it's still showing F04?
This sometimes clears with the checks above. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly. Then it wants someone who can open it up.
What it costs, before you call: the price is the same whatever the fault turns out to be — £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
Our own engineers, not a call centre. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — most washer dryer faults are seen same day or next day.
Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need
Outside our area? The explanation above still stands — take it to a local engineer and tell them the code. Knowing it saves them time and you money.
Other Ariston washer dryer codes
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- Ariston F12 — The two circuit boards inside the machine — the main control…
- Ariston F13 — The machine can no longer tell how hot the drying air is, so…
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