What F12 actually means
The two circuit boards inside the machine — the main control board and the display/button board — have stopped talking to each other, so the washer dryer won't take a program or start.
On these Ariston washer dryers the program you select is read by the display board at the front and passed to the main control board that actually drives the motor, valves, pump and heaters. F12 is raised when that link between the two boards goes quiet, so the main board never receives the instruction. In practice the owner sees a machine that lights up but will not respond, or appears dead on the button, sometimes with the display flashing rather than accepting a wash.
What F12 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, F12 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
- Drum not turning
- Won't spin
- Hums or buzzes but nothing moves
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 loose or corroded plug on the ribbon/wiring between the display board and the main control board
- A failed main control board
- A failed display or selector board
- Damp or condensation around the board connections, common in a washer dryer that vents into a small room
- A power surge or spike that has upset the board's communication
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 socket, leave it for a minute, then switch back on — a genuine one-off communication glitch will sometimes clear on a full power-down
- Check the appliance is on a socket of its own and not through an extension lead or a tired adaptor
- Make sure the room is not soaking wet or steamy; leave the door open and let a damp machine dry out for a few hours before trying again
Common questions about Ariston F12
What does F12 mean on a Ariston washer dryer?
The two circuit boards inside the machine — the main control board and the display/button board — have stopped talking to each other, so the washer dryer won't take a program or start. On these Ariston washer dryers the program you select is read by the display board at the front and passed to the main control board that actually drives the motor, valves, pump and heaters. F12 is raised when that link between the two boards goes quiet, so the main board never receives the instruction. In practice the owner sees a machine that lights up but will not respond, or appears dead on the button, sometimes with the display flashing rather than accepting a wash.
Can I fix Ariston F12 myself?
There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.
- Turn the machine off at the wall socket, leave it for a minute, then switch back on — a genuine one-off communication glitch will sometimes clear on a full power-down.
- Check the appliance is on a socket of its own and not through an extension lead or a tired adaptor.
- Make sure the room is not soaking wet or steamy; leave the door open and let a damp machine dry out for a few hours before trying again.
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.
How much does it cost to repair Ariston F12?
£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 F12?
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
- Ariston F13 — The machine can no longer tell how hot the drying air is, so…
- Ariston F14 — The machine has found a fault in its heating and has stopped…
- 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…
- Ariston F01 — The control board has detected a short circuit in the switch…
All Ariston fault codes and repairs →