Hotpoint F14 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 F14 actually means

The machine has stopped because it can't heat the water properly — the heater or its control circuit isn't doing what the board expects.

During a wash, the control board checks that the water temperature climbs once the heater is switched on. If it doesn't see that happen, or the heating circuit reads wrong, it abandons the programme and shows this fault rather than washing cold indefinitely. On Hotpoint washer dryers the same number points instead at the drying element, so it's worth knowing which machine you have before anyone starts quoting parts.

What F14 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, F14 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Not heating the water
Washing coming out cold
Cycle takes far longer than it should
No function at all
Dead — nothing lights up
Lights flashing and nothing happening
Programme won't start
Machine tripping the electrics

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 tub
Element wiring or connection gone open circuit
Faulty temperature sensor giving the board bad readings
Control board fault, or on a washer dryer, the drying element or its relay

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 run a short cold programme — if it completes without a fault, the heating side is the problem, not the machine as a whole
Try a different wash programme at a lower temperature to confirm the fault only appears when it should be heating

Common questions about Hotpoint F14

What does F14 mean on a Hotpoint washing machine?

The machine has stopped because it can't heat the water properly — the heater or its control circuit isn't doing what the board expects. During a wash, the control board checks that the water temperature climbs once the heater is switched on. If it doesn't see that happen, or the heating circuit reads wrong, it abandons the programme and shows this fault rather than washing cold indefinitely. On Hotpoint washer dryers the same number points instead at the drying element, so it's worth knowing which machine you have before anyone starts quoting parts.

Can I fix Hotpoint F14 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 run a short cold programme — if it completes without a fault, the heating side is the problem, not the machine as a whole.
Try a different wash programme at a lower temperature to confirm the fault only appears when it should be heating.

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

How much does it cost to repair Hotpoint F14?

£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 F14?

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 F14 error — washing machine