What F11 actually means
The machine can't get the water out — it has flagged a problem with the drain pump or its circuit and stopped rather than carry on.
On these Merloni-built Ariston machines (the same board is used across Hotpoint and Indesit), F11 is the pump circuit fault. The control board expects to see the drain pump running and the water level falling; when it doesn't get that, it halts the cycle. You'll typically find water still sitting in the drum, washing left soaked because it never got to spin, and on a washer dryer the drying phase won't run either, since it won't dry with water in the tub.
What F11 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, F11 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
- Leaking
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 or something jammed in the pump — coins, buttons, wire from a bra
- A kinked, blocked or badly fitted drain hose, or a blocked standpipe under the sink
- A worn-out or seized drain pump
- A wiring or connection fault between the board and the pump
- A failed pump driver on the control board itself
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 for a minute, then back on and try again — a one-off glitch does happen.
- Check the drain hose along its whole length for kinks, crushing behind the machine, or a fitting that has dropped too far down the standpipe.
- If your machine has an accessible pump filter behind the flap at the bottom front, empty and clean it — put a shallow tray and towels down first, as there will be standing water. Refit it firmly or it will leak.
- If the drain hose goes into a sink waste, check that isn't blocked by pouring water down the sink.
Common questions about Ariston F11
What does F11 mean on a Ariston washer dryer?
The machine can't get the water out — it has flagged a problem with the drain pump or its circuit and stopped rather than carry on. On these Merloni-built Ariston machines (the same board is used across Hotpoint and Indesit), F11 is the pump circuit fault. The control board expects to see the drain pump running and the water level falling; when it doesn't get that, it halts the cycle. You'll typically find water still sitting in the drum, washing left soaked because it never got to spin, and on a washer dryer the drying phase won't run either, since it won't dry with water in the tub.
Can I fix Ariston F11 myself?
There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.
- Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then back on and try again — a one-off glitch does happen.
- Check the drain hose along its whole length for kinks, crushing behind the machine, or a fitting that has dropped too far down the standpipe.
- If your machine has an accessible pump filter behind the flap at the bottom front, empty and clean it — put a shallow tray and towels down first, as there will be standing water. Refit it firmly or it will leak.
- If the drain hose goes into a sink waste, check that isn't blocked by pouring water down the sink.
This sometimes clears with those checks. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.
How much does it cost to repair Ariston F11?
£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 F11?
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 F15 — The machine has lost proper control of its heating, so it ei…
- Ariston F16 — The machine can't confirm the drum has parked and locked in …
- Ariston F17 — The machine can't confirm the door is locked, so it won't st…
- Ariston F18 — The machine's control electronics have lost the plot — eithe…
- Ariston H20 — The machine isn't getting enough water in, so it has stopped…
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