What F08 actually means
The machine has a problem with the water heating side "the heater itself or the relay on the control board that switches it on " so it won't heat the wash and often stops partway through.
On Hotpoint washers F08 is logged when the control board cannot get the heating circuit to behave as expected: either the heater relay won't switch (or is stuck), or the element and its temperature sensor aren't giving sensible readings. The machine usually pauses mid-cycle rather than carrying on cold, so you find it sitting at the same point with water in the drum and clothes washed in cold water.
What usually causes it
- Failed heating element in the drum
- Heater relay on the main control board stuck or not switching
- Faulty NTC temperature sensor giving false readings
- Damaged or corroded wiring to the element
- Water leaking onto the element connections
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, then power up and try a short cold-wash programme \a cold wash finishing normally points to the heating side rather than anything else
- Clear the drain filter and check the drain hose isn't kinked, so a stalled cycle isn't being confused with a drainage problem
When to call someone
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, and it's £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it — £84 in total if it's repaired on the visit with no parts needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
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
- Hotpoint F01 — The machine's main control board has flagged an electrical f…
- Hotpoint F02 — The machine has stopped because it isn't getting the drum to…
- Hotpoint F03 — The machine can't get a sensible temperature reading from th…
- Hotpoint F04 — The machine hasn't managed to pump the water out in the time…
- Hotpoint F05 — The machine hasn't managed to pump the water out in the time…
- Hotpoint F06 — The machine can't confirm the door is locked, so it refuses …
- Hotpoint F07 — The machine has spotted a fault in the heating side of its c…
- Hotpoint F09 — The machine's control board has lost or mismatched its softw…