Hisense F21 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 F21 actually means

The control panel you press the buttons on has lost contact with the main power board inside the machine, so the wash stops.

Your Hisense washer has two circuit boards that talk to each other: the display/touch panel at the front and the main power board that actually runs the motor, valves and heater. When the display stops receiving a reply from the power board, the machine halts and shows this code. The fault points first at the communication plug on the back of the display board being loose or unseated. The code clears itself the moment normal communication resumes, which is why a full power-off sometimes brings it back to life.

What F21 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, F21 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Not heating the water
Washing coming out cold
Cycle takes far longer than it should
Drum not turning
Won't spin
Hums or buzzes but nothing moves
Turns one way only
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

A loose or partly unplugged ribbon/plug between the front panel and the main board
A one-off electronic glitch or brief power interruption
Damp or corrosion on the connector behind the control panel
A failed display/touch panel
A failed main power board

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.

Switch the machine off at the wall socket, leave it a minute, then switch back on and press start/pause again
Select a fresh programme and start it rather than resuming the interrupted one
Note whether the code returns straight away or only part-way into a cycle — useful for the engineer

Which Hisense models show F21

F21 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 F21

What does F21 mean on a Hisense washing machine?

The control panel you press the buttons on has lost contact with the main power board inside the machine, so the wash stops. Your Hisense washer has two circuit boards that talk to each other: the display/touch panel at the front and the main power board that actually runs the motor, valves and heater. When the display stops receiving a reply from the power board, the machine halts and shows this code. The fault points first at the communication plug on the back of the display board being loose or unseated. The code clears itself the moment normal communication resumes, which is why a full power-off sometimes brings it back to life.

Can I fix Hisense F21 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Switch the machine off at the wall socket, leave it a minute, then switch back on and press start/pause again.
Select a fresh programme and start it rather than resuming the interrupted one.
Note whether the code returns straight away or only part-way into a cycle — useful for the engineer.

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

How much does it cost to repair Hisense F21?

£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 F21?

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 F21 error — washing machine