Hisense F12 washing machine: what it means & what to check

Stop using it for now. Carrying on with this fault risks further damage or a leak. Switch it off at the wall until it has been looked at.

What F12 actually means

The board that controls the motor has restarted itself mid-cycle, so the machine has stopped rather than carry on.

Hisense machines run the drum motor through an inverter (motor control) board with its own small processor. If that processor resets unexpectedly, or the machine can't hold a proper conversation with it, the wash is halted and F12 is shown. The machine only makes this judgement while it's actually running, so you'll usually see it appear part-way through a cycle rather than at switch-on.

What F12 looks like on a Hisense washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Hisense washing machine, F12 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Drum not turning
Won't spin
Hums or buzzes but nothing moves
Turns one way only
Very noisy on spin
Banging or knocking
Moving across the floor
Load left soaking wet because it won't spin up

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

Fault on the inverter/motor control board itself
Poor or loose connection between the main power board and the inverter
Unstable or incorrect mains supply to the machine
A failing motor dragging the inverter into a reset
Damaged wiring or a connector working loose from vibration

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, switch it back on and restart the programme — the documents allow for a single reset attempt like this.
Check the plug is firmly in the socket and the machine isn't running through an extension lead or adaptor.
If it clears once and comes straight back on the next wash, treat it as a real fault rather than a glitch.

Which Hisense models show F12

F12 means the same thing on this model. If yours is not listed, the explanation above still applies — the code is set by the control board, not the model number.

WF1I1142BWL

Common questions about Hisense F12

What does F12 mean on a Hisense washing machine?

The board that controls the motor has restarted itself mid-cycle, so the machine has stopped rather than carry on. Hisense machines run the drum motor through an inverter (motor control) board with its own small processor. If that processor resets unexpectedly, or the machine can't hold a proper conversation with it, the wash is halted and F12 is shown. The machine only makes this judgement while it's actually running, so you'll usually see it appear part-way through a cycle rather than at switch-on.

Can I fix Hisense F12 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, switch it back on and restart the programme — the documents allow for a single reset attempt like this.
Check the plug is firmly in the socket and the machine isn't running through an extension lead or adaptor.
If it clears once and comes straight back on the next wash, treat it as a real fault rather than a glitch.

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.

How much does it cost to repair Hisense 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 washing machine 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 Hisense washing machine codes

All Hisense fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

Repairs we cover near you

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Hisense F12 error — washing machine