Hotpoint F03 washer dryer: what it means & what to check

What F03 actually means

The machine can't get a sensible reading of the water temperature, so it abandons the cycle rather than heat blind.

On Hotpoint washers and washer dryers, F03 points to the NTC temperature sensor — the small probe that tells the control board how hot the water in the drum is. If that reading goes out of range, disappears, or never changes when the heater should be warming the water, the board shuts the cycle down. Typically the machine stops partway through the wash, often with water still in the drum and cold, unheated washing inside.

What F03 looks like on a Hotpoint washer dryer

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Hotpoint washer dryer, F03 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water
Standing water in the bottom
Not drying
Blowing cold air
Clothes still damp at the end
Takes hours to dry

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 NTC temperature sensor (the most common finding)
A faulty heating element, so the water never warms and the sensor reading never rises
A damaged or corroded connection at the sensor
A faulty relay or track on the main control board on the heating side

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 socket for a couple of minutes, then switch back on and try a short cycle — occasionally a one-off glitch clears
If the drum is full of water, run a drain or spin-only programme so you can get the load out before the engineer visits
Note whether the wash felt cold and whether the code appears at the same point in every cycle — that detail helps narrow it down

Common questions about Hotpoint F03

What does F03 mean on a Hotpoint washer dryer?

The machine can't get a sensible reading of the water temperature, so it abandons the cycle rather than heat blind. On Hotpoint washers and washer dryers, F03 points to the NTC temperature sensor — the small probe that tells the control board how hot the water in the drum is. If that reading goes out of range, disappears, or never changes when the heater should be warming the water, the board shuts the cycle down. Typically the machine stops partway through the wash, often with water still in the drum and cold, unheated washing inside.

Can I fix Hotpoint F03 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall socket for a couple of minutes, then switch back on and try a short cycle — occasionally a one-off glitch clears.
If the drum is full of water, run a drain or spin-only programme so you can get the load out before the engineer visits.
Note whether the wash felt cold and whether the code appears at the same point in every cycle — that detail helps narrow it down.

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

How much does it cost to repair Hotpoint F03?

£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 F03?

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 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 Hotpoint washer dryer codes

All Hotpoint fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

washer dryer not drying

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

Hotpoint F03 error — washer dryer