Hotpoint F08 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 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 F08 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, F08 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
Leaking

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

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

Which Hotpoint models show F08

F08 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.

WT960P

Common questions about Hotpoint F08

What does F08 mean on a Hotpoint washing machine?

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.

Can I fix Hotpoint F08 myself?

There are 2 checks you can safely do yourself first.

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.

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

How much does it cost to repair Hotpoint F08?

£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 F08?

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 F08 error — washing machine