What F98 actually means
The machine's own control electronics have reported a fault they can't recover from, so the wash has been stopped.
ElectriQ group all the codes from F04 up to F98 together as a failure of the electronic module — the main control board that runs the programme, drives the motor and reads the sensors. When the board's self-checks fail, it halts the cycle rather than carry on blind. The manufacturer's instruction is to switch the machine off at the button, pull the plug out and get it looked at, which tells you this is not a code you clear by fiddling with the programme dial.
What usually causes it
- A fault on the main control board itself
- A damaged or corroded connection between the board and a motor or sensor
- Moisture or a small leak reaching the electronics
- Damage following a power surge or supply problem
- A failed component the board can no longer read, wrongly showing as a board fault
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 button, unplug it at the wall, leave it a minute and plug it back in — occasionally a one-off glitch clears and the machine finishes normally
- If it comes back, or comes back on the next wash, unplug it again and leave it unplugged until it has been looked at
- If you can smell burning or see any sign of water near the plug or the front of the machine, leave it off at the wall and don't switch it on again
When to call someone
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, and it's £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it — £84 in total if it's repaired on the visit with no parts needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
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 ElectriQ washing machine codes
- ElectriQ E00 — E00 isn't a fault — it's the machine telling you there are n…
- ElectriQ E02 — The machine isn't getting water in, so it has stopped and sh…
- ElectriQ E10 — The machine has opened its water valves but not enough water…
- ElectriQ E12 — The machine has decided there is too much water in the drum,…
- ElectriQ E20 — The machine has tried to drain and the water level hasn't mo…
- ElectriQ E21 — The machine has tried to empty the drum and the water level …
- ElectriQ E30 — The machine cannot lock its door, so it refuses to start fil…
- ElectriQ E31 — The machine has tried to release the door lock and failed, s…