What F14 actually means
The machine has found a fault in its heating and has stopped rather than carry on — on Ariston washer dryers this points at the drying element circuit.
The control board watches whether the water or air actually heats up when it switches the heater on. If it doesn't see the expected result, it abandons the cycle and shows F14. On the EVO1 washer dryer boards the code is listed specifically as a dryer element fault; on the older basic control it is given more broadly as a water heating fault, so the exact culprit depends on which board your machine has. Either way it is not something the control can work around, which is why the programme halts instead of finishing cold.
What F14 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, F14 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
- Not drying
- Blowing cold air
- Clothes still damp at the end
- Takes hours to dry
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 failed drying element (the most common finding on washer dryers)
- A broken connection or damaged wiring to the heater
- The element's relay or driver on the control board having failed
- A heating sensor giving readings that make the board think the element isn't working
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 switch back on and try the programme again — occasionally the board clears a one-off reading
- Try a wash-only programme with no drying selected. If that completes normally, it confirms the fault sits on the drying side and gives you the machine back for washing in the meantime
- Clean out the filter and check the drain hose isn't kinked, so you can rule out a water problem confusing the picture
Common questions about Ariston F14
What does F14 mean on a Ariston washer dryer?
The machine has found a fault in its heating and has stopped rather than carry on — on Ariston washer dryers this points at the drying element circuit. The control board watches whether the water or air actually heats up when it switches the heater on. If it doesn't see the expected result, it abandons the cycle and shows F14. On the EVO1 washer dryer boards the code is listed specifically as a dryer element fault; on the older basic control it is given more broadly as a water heating fault, so the exact culprit depends on which board your machine has. Either way it is not something the control can work around, which is why the programme halts instead of finishing cold.
Can I fix Ariston F14 myself?
There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.
- Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and try the programme again — occasionally the board clears a one-off reading.
- Try a wash-only programme with no drying selected. If that completes normally, it confirms the fault sits on the drying side and gives you the machine back for washing in the meantime.
- Clean out the filter and check the drain hose isn't kinked, so you can rule out a water problem confusing the picture.
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.
How much does it cost to repair Ariston F14?
£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 F14?
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 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…
- Ariston F02 — The machine has stopped because it isn't getting the drum to…
- Ariston F03 — The machine can't get a sensible reading from the sensor tha…
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