Hotpoint F01 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 F01 actually means

The machine's main control board has flagged an electrical fault on the circuit that drives the drum motor, and it has stopped the cycle rather than risk running the motor.

On Hotpoint machines F01 points at the main electronic control board — on the EVO1, EVO2 and V4 boards fitted to most Hotpoint and Indesit washers it is specifically logged as a short circuit on the motor triac, the switching device on the board that feeds power to the motor. Because a shorted triac can leave the motor live when it shouldn't be, the board shuts everything down. Owners usually notice it either straight after switching on, sometimes with functions that can't be selected, or as soon as the drum is asked to turn.

What F01 looks like on a Hotpoint washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Hotpoint washing machine, F01 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
No function at all
Dead — nothing lights up
Lights flashing and nothing happening
Programme won't start

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 motor triac on the main control board
Water or damp getting to the control board
A one-off electrical glitch after a power cut or surge
Damaged or chafed wiring between the board and the motor
A failing motor drawing too much current and taking the board's output with it

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 for a couple of minutes, then power up and try again — a genuine one-off glitch will clear and not come back
If the code returns immediately or on every cycle, leave it off and book an engineer

Common questions about Hotpoint F01

What does F01 mean on a Hotpoint washing machine?

The machine's main control board has flagged an electrical fault on the circuit that drives the drum motor, and it has stopped the cycle rather than risk running the motor. On Hotpoint machines F01 points at the main electronic control board — on the EVO1, EVO2 and V4 boards fitted to most Hotpoint and Indesit washers it is specifically logged as a short circuit on the motor triac, the switching device on the board that feeds power to the motor. Because a shorted triac can leave the motor live when it shouldn't be, the board shuts everything down. Owners usually notice it either straight after switching on, sometimes with functions that can't be selected, or as soon as the drum is asked to turn.

Can I fix Hotpoint F01 myself?

There are 2 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Switch the machine off at the wall socket, leave it for a couple of minutes, then power up and try again — a genuine one-off glitch will clear and not come back.
If the code returns immediately or on every cycle, leave it off and book an engineer.

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

How much does it cost to repair Hotpoint F01?

£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 F01?

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 Hotpoint washing machine codes

All Hotpoint 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.

Hotpoint F01 error — washing machine