Hotpoint F15 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 F15 actually means

The machine has spotted a problem with the circuit that controls the heating, so it won't heat the water — it usually stops part-way through the wash.

On the newer Hotpoint machines (the NSW/NSWM/NSWE series and their Indesit equivalents) F15 is a heater control fault. The control board watches what the heating element and its thermostat are doing, and if the heater doesn't behave as commanded — or the relay that switches it stays stuck — the machine halts rather than risk overheating. On a washer dryer the same code can show up in the drying phase instead of the wash. Typically you get a cycle that pauses with water still in the drum and clothes that come out cold.

What F15 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, F15 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 wash drum
Stuck or burnt-out heater relay on the main control board
Faulty thermostat or temperature sensor on the heating circuit
Damaged or corroded wiring to the element
On washer dryers, a fault in the drying heater circuit

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 back on and try a cold wash such as a rinse-and-spin — if that runs through fine, it points at the heating side rather than the whole board.
Nothing else here is an owner job: the heater, its relay and its wiring all sit behind panels and must not be touched.

Common questions about Hotpoint F15

What does F15 mean on a Hotpoint washing machine?

The machine has spotted a problem with the circuit that controls the heating, so it won't heat the water — it usually stops part-way through the wash. On the newer Hotpoint machines (the NSW/NSWM/NSWE series and their Indesit equivalents) F15 is a heater control fault. The control board watches what the heating element and its thermostat are doing, and if the heater doesn't behave as commanded — or the relay that switches it stays stuck — the machine halts rather than risk overheating. On a washer dryer the same code can show up in the drying phase instead of the wash. Typically you get a cycle that pauses with water still in the drum and clothes that come out cold.

Can I fix Hotpoint F15 myself?

There are 2 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then back on and try a cold wash such as a rinse-and-spin — if that runs through fine, it points at the heating side rather than the whole board.
Nothing else here is an owner job: the heater, its relay and its wiring all sit behind panels and must not be touched.

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

How much does it cost to repair Hotpoint F15?

£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 F15?

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 F15 error — washing machine