Hotpoint F03 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 F03 actually means

The machine can't get a sensible temperature reading from the water in the drum, so it stops rather than heat blindly.

F03 is the NTC temperature sensor circuit. The control board watches the water temperature as the heater works; if the reading is missing, out of range or never climbs as expected, it halts the cycle. Typically the wash stops partway through with cold or barely warm water still in the drum.

What F03 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, 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 heating the water
Washing coming out cold
Cycle takes far longer than it should
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

Faulty NTC temperature sensor in the drum tub
Heating element not coming on, so the temperature never rises
A failed relay or damaged track on the main control board
Corroded or loose connection at the sensor

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 couple of minutes, then power up and try a short cycle — occasionally a one-off glitch clears
If the drum still holds water, run a drain or spin-only programme to empty it before anything else
Try a cold-wash programme; if it completes without fault, that points to the heating side rather than the machine as a whole

Common questions about Hotpoint F03

What does F03 mean on a Hotpoint washing machine?

The machine can't get a sensible temperature reading from the water in the drum, so it stops rather than heat blindly. F03 is the NTC temperature sensor circuit. The control board watches the water temperature as the heater works; if the reading is missing, out of range or never climbs as expected, it halts the cycle. Typically the wash stops partway through with cold or barely warm water still in the drum.

Can I fix Hotpoint F03 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a couple of minutes, then power up and try a short cycle — occasionally a one-off glitch clears.
If the drum still holds water, run a drain or spin-only programme to empty it before anything else.
Try a cold-wash programme; if it completes without fault, that points to the heating side rather than the machine as a whole.

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 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 F03 error — washing machine