Hotpoint F13 dishwasher: 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 F13 actually means

The dishwasher has found a fault with its own main control board and has shut the cycle down.

F13 points at the mainboard — the control board that runs the whole machine — rather than at the pump, heater or any of the parts you can get at. On this Hotpoint it also shows as an LED pattern on the fascia (6 on, 7 off, 8 on, 9 on) if the display isn't spelling out the code. Because the board can no longer trust its own readings, it stops the programme instead of carrying on.

What F13 looks like on a Hotpoint dishwasher

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Hotpoint dishwasher, F13 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Dishwasher 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
Dishes coming out cold and wet
Not drying the load
Water not heating up

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

Water getting to the control board, which sits behind the door panel and is not built to be wet
Damage to the board itself, sometimes after a leak from the door seal or detergent dispenser area
A power surge or supply problem affecting the board
A loose or corroded connection on the board caused by damp

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 dishwasher off at the wall socket for a minute, then switch it back on and try a short programme — a genuine one-off glitch will clear
Look for signs of water on the floor, around the door edge or inside the door lip; if there's damp there, leave the machine off and get it looked at
Check the door closes and latches properly, so it isn't being forced or held ajar

Which Hotpoint models show F13

F13 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.

LFT228AUK

Common questions about Hotpoint F13

What does F13 mean on a Hotpoint dishwasher?

The dishwasher has found a fault with its own main control board and has shut the cycle down. F13 points at the mainboard — the control board that runs the whole machine — rather than at the pump, heater or any of the parts you can get at. On this Hotpoint it also shows as an LED pattern on the fascia (6 on, 7 off, 8 on, 9 on) if the display isn't spelling out the code. Because the board can no longer trust its own readings, it stops the programme instead of carrying on.

Can I fix Hotpoint F13 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the dishwasher off at the wall socket for a minute, then switch it back on and try a short programme — a genuine one-off glitch will clear.
Look for signs of water on the floor, around the door edge or inside the door lip; if there's damp there, leave the machine off and get it looked at.
Check the door closes and latches properly, so it isn't being forced or held ajar.

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

How much does it cost to repair Hotpoint F13?

£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 F13?

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 dishwasher 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 dishwasher 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 F13 error — dishwasher