What F13 actually means
On a Hotpoint washer dryer, F13 means the machine can't get a sensible temperature reading from the drying circuit, so it abandons the dry.
The control board relies on a temperature sensor to tell it how hot the air in the drying circuit is getting. If that reading is missing, out of range or implausible, the board shuts the drying phase down as a precaution rather than running a heater blind. The wash side will often still work normally — the usual complaint is clothes coming out wet at the end of a wash-and-dry.
What F13 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, F13 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 filling with water
- No water going in
- Takes for ever to fill
- Stops right at the start of the cycle
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 dryer temperature sensor (NTC)
- A loose or corroded connection in the drying circuit
- Fault in the drying heater circuit itself
- Control board fault on the heating side
- On some older Hotpoint models F13 instead points to a water supply or inlet valve problem — worth mentioning to whoever attends
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 short dry — occasional one-off readings do clear.
- Clean the fluff filter and make sure the drain hose isn't kinked or pushed too far down the standpipe; poor airflow and poor drainage both upset drying.
- Give it room to breathe — a machine boxed in tightly with no ventilation runs hot and can throw temperature faults.
- Try a wash-only programme. If the wash completes fine, that confirms the fault is on the drying side and saves the engineer time.
Common questions about Hotpoint F13
What does F13 mean on a Hotpoint washing machine?
On a Hotpoint washer dryer, F13 means the machine can't get a sensible temperature reading from the drying circuit, so it abandons the dry. The control board relies on a temperature sensor to tell it how hot the air in the drying circuit is getting. If that reading is missing, out of range or implausible, the board shuts the drying phase down as a precaution rather than running a heater blind. The wash side will often still work normally — the usual complaint is clothes coming out wet at the end of a wash-and-dry.
Can I fix Hotpoint F13 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 short dry — occasional one-off readings do clear.
- Clean the fluff filter and make sure the drain hose isn't kinked or pushed too far down the standpipe; poor airflow and poor drainage both upset drying.
- Give it room to breathe — a machine boxed in tightly with no ventilation runs hot and can throw temperature faults.
- Try a wash-only programme. If the wash completes fine, that confirms the fault is on the drying side and saves the engineer time.
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 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
- Hotpoint F14 — The machine has stopped because it can't heat the water prop…
- Hotpoint F15 — The machine has spotted a problem with the circuit that cont…
- Hotpoint F16 — The machine can't tell that the drum has parked in the right…
- Hotpoint F17 — The machine can't confirm the door is locked shut, so it won…
- Hotpoint F18 — The machine's electronics have lost track of their own store…
- Hotpoint H20 — The machine isn't getting enough water in, so it has halted …
- 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…
All Hotpoint fault codes and repairs →
What this looks like when it happens
- washing machine not heating the water
- washing machine will not turn on
- washing machine not filling with water
- washing machine beeping or bleeping