Hotpoint F11 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 F11 actually means

The machine can't see the drain pump electrically, so it stops with the water still in the drum.

F11 is a drain pump circuit fault. Where F05 means the pump is there but the water isn't going anywhere in the time allowed, F11 means the control board gets no electrical response from the pump at all — an open circuit. The cycle halts, the drum stays full and the door usually stays locked until the water is out.

What F11 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, F11 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine door won't open
Door won't lock or click shut
Door lock light flashing
Door stuck shut with the load inside
Won't start even with the door closed
Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water

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 drain pump motor (open winding)
Broken or disconnected wiring to the pump, often after the pump has been overheating
Pump connector corroded or loose, sometimes after a leak in the base
Fault on the control board's pump circuit
Pump seized by a coin, wire or hair grip so it has burnt out

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 it back up and try a drain or spin — occasionally the code clears on a one-off glitch.
Open the flap at the bottom front and clean the pump filter, with a bowl and towels ready as water will come out.
Check the drain hose isn't kinked, crushed behind the machine, or pushed too far down the waste pipe.
Make sure the standpipe or sink trap the hose empties into isn't blocked.

Which Hotpoint models show F11

F11 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.

WMUD942

Common questions about Hotpoint F11

What does F11 mean on a Hotpoint washing machine?

The machine can't see the drain pump electrically, so it stops with the water still in the drum. F11 is a drain pump circuit fault. Where F05 means the pump is there but the water isn't going anywhere in the time allowed, F11 means the control board gets no electrical response from the pump at all — an open circuit. The cycle halts, the drum stays full and the door usually stays locked until the water is out.

Can I fix Hotpoint F11 myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up and try a drain or spin — occasionally the code clears on a one-off glitch.
Open the flap at the bottom front and clean the pump filter, with a bowl and towels ready as water will come out.
Check the drain hose isn't kinked, crushed behind the machine, or pushed too far down the waste pipe.
Make sure the standpipe or sink trap the hose empties into isn't blocked.

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

How much does it cost to repair Hotpoint F11?

£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 F11?

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 F11 error — washing machine