Ariston F06 washer dryer: what it means & what to check

Stop using it for now. Carrying on with this fault risks further damage or a leak. Switch it off at the wall until it has been looked at.

What F06 actually means

The machine has decided it cannot trust the door lock (or, on some control boards, the programme selector) and has stopped the cycle before it can go anywhere.

On Ariston washer dryers, F06 points at the door interlock circuit — the machine cannot confirm the door is shut and locked, so it refuses to start, or it holds the door shut at the end of a cycle with water still in the drum. On some of the older EVO1-type control boards the same code is logged as a programme selector error instead, which shows up as the machine not accepting the programme you have chosen. Either way the control board has lost a signal it needs before it will fill or spin.

What F06 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, F06 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine door won't open
Door won't lock or click shut
Door lock light flashing
Door stuck shut with the load inside
Won't start even with the door closed
Not filling with water
No water going in
Takes for ever to fill

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

Failed door interlock — the commonest finding by a distance
Door catch or hinge worn so the door sits slightly out of line and never locks fully
Laundry or a stray sock caught between the door seal and the glass
Damaged wiring or connector between the door lock and the control board
Faulty programme selector or control board on older EVO1 models

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.

Push the door firmly closed until you hear the catch engage, then try the programme again
Check nothing is trapped in the door seal — a towel corner or sock is enough to stop it locking
Turn the machine off at the socket for a minute and back on; an occasional F06 clears and does not return
If the door is locked shut with water inside, leave the machine off for a while — some interlocks release once they cool
Make sure the programme dial is clicked properly into a position rather than sitting between two

Common questions about Ariston F06

What does F06 mean on a Ariston washer dryer?

The machine has decided it cannot trust the door lock (or, on some control boards, the programme selector) and has stopped the cycle before it can go anywhere. On Ariston washer dryers, F06 points at the door interlock circuit — the machine cannot confirm the door is shut and locked, so it refuses to start, or it holds the door shut at the end of a cycle with water still in the drum. On some of the older EVO1-type control boards the same code is logged as a programme selector error instead, which shows up as the machine not accepting the programme you have chosen. Either way the control board has lost a signal it needs before it will fill or spin.

Can I fix Ariston F06 myself?

There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Push the door firmly closed until you hear the catch engage, then try the programme again.
Check nothing is trapped in the door seal — a towel corner or sock is enough to stop it locking.
Turn the machine off at the socket for a minute and back on; an occasional F06 clears and does not return.
If the door is locked shut with water inside, leave the machine off for a while — some interlocks release once they cool.
Make sure the programme dial is clicked properly into a position rather than sitting between two.

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.

How much does it cost to repair Ariston F06?

£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 F06?

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. 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

All Ariston fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

washer dryer not drying

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Ariston F06 error — washer dryer