What F16 actually means
The machine can't tell that the drum has parked in the right place, so it stops rather than carry on.
This code only appears on top-loading Hotpoint machines. The drum on these has a lid in its outer surface that must line up under the machine's opening, and a sensor tells the control board when the drum is parked and locked in that position. If that signal doesn't arrive, or the drum stops somewhere else, the machine halts " often with the drum door awkwardly out of reach.
What usually causes it
- Drum position sensor failed or out of alignment
- Wiring or connection between the sensor and the control board gone bad
- Drum lock mechanism sticking so the drum never parks properly
- Control board not reading the position signal correctly
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 " the parking routine may run again and free the drum
- Make sure the drum flap is fully latched shut before starting a cycle
- Check nothing loose in the drum (a stray sock or coin) is jamming the flap or the latch
When to call someone
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, and it's £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it — £84 in total if it's repaired on the visit with no parts needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
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
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- Hotpoint F04 — The machine hasn't managed to pump the water out in the time…
- Hotpoint F05 — The machine hasn't managed to pump the water out in the time…
- Hotpoint F06 — The machine can't confirm the door is locked, so it refuses …
- Hotpoint F07 — The machine has spotted a fault in the heating side of its c…
- Hotpoint F08 — The machine has a problem with the water heating side "the h…