What H20 actually means
The machine isn't getting enough water in, so it has stopped and put up H20 rather than run the drum dry.
H20 is the water-fill fault on Ariston washer dryers. The control board expects the drum to reach a set water level within a certain time of the inlet valve opening; when the level doesn't rise as expected, the cycle halts and the code appears. It usually shows early in the wash, before the drum starts turning properly, and it points at the supply side \u2014 tap, inlet hose, filter or the inlet valve itself.
What H20 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, H20 usually shows up as one or more of these:
- Not filling with water
- No water going in
- Takes for ever to fill
- Stops right at the start of the cycle
- 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
- Water supply tap turned off or only part open
- Kinked, trapped or crushed inlet hose behind the machine
- Blocked filter in the inlet hose or at the valve inlet
- Faulty water inlet valve not opening when energised
- Low mains water pressure, or supply isolated after other plumbing work
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.
- Check the cold tap feeding the machine is fully open \u2014 quarter-turn taps can look open when they aren't.
- Look behind the machine and make sure the inlet hose isn't kinked, twisted or squashed against the wall.
- Run another cold tap in the house to confirm you have normal mains pressure and the supply hasn't been isolated.
- Switch off at the wall for a minute, then power back up and restart the programme \u2014 this clears the code if the fill problem has already been sorted.
- If the machine has been moved recently, check the hose hasn't been pinched or the tap knocked shut.
Common questions about Ariston H20
What does H20 mean on a Ariston washer dryer?
The machine isn't getting enough water in, so it has stopped and put up H20 rather than run the drum dry. H20 is the water-fill fault on Ariston washer dryers. The control board expects the drum to reach a set water level within a certain time of the inlet valve opening; when the level doesn't rise as expected, the cycle halts and the code appears. It usually shows early in the wash, before the drum starts turning properly, and it points at the supply side \u2014 tap, inlet hose, filter or the inlet valve itself.
Can I fix Ariston H20 myself?
There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.
- Check the cold tap feeding the machine is fully open \u2014 quarter-turn taps can look open when they aren't.
- Look behind the machine and make sure the inlet hose isn't kinked, twisted or squashed against the wall.
- Run another cold tap in the house to confirm you have normal mains pressure and the supply hasn't been isolated.
- Switch off at the wall for a minute, then power back up and restart the programme \u2014 this clears the code if the fill problem has already been sorted.
- If the machine has been moved recently, check the hose hasn't been pinched or the tap knocked shut.
This sometimes clears with those checks. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.
How much does it cost to repair Ariston H20?
£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 H20?
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 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…
- Ariston F04 — The machine has tried to drain and the water hasn't gone awa…
- Ariston F06 — The machine has decided it cannot trust the door lock (or, o…
- Ariston F07 — The control board has spotted a problem with the relay that …
- Ariston F08 — The machine has found a problem in the heating circuit — eit…
- Ariston F09 — The machine's control board has lost or rejected its own con…
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