Hotpoint F18 washer dryer: what it means & what to check

What F18 actually means

The washer dryer's electronics have lost or corrupted the stored data they run on, or the control board and the display have stopped talking to each other properly.

Hotpoint list F18 as an internal data error — a communication or memory fault inside the control electronics rather than anything mechanical like the pump, heater or door lock. The usual giveaway is the display itself: some or all of the lights, digits and programme indicators stop behaving normally, and the machine either won't accept a programme or halts before it gets going. It stops because the board can no longer trust its own settings, so it won't run a wash or a drying phase blind.

What F18 looks like on a Hotpoint washer dryer

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Hotpoint washer dryer, F18 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine 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
Not drying
Blowing cold air
Clothes still damp at the end

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

Corrupted stored settings on the main control board
Loss of communication between the main board and the display board
A failed main control board
A poor connection between the two boards, often after a power surge or spike

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 socket, leave it for a minute or two, then switch back on — a full power-down clears the odd one-off data glitch
Check the socket and plug are sound and the machine isn't running through a damaged extension lead or a loose adaptor
Try selecting a plain cotton programme and see whether the display responds at all, so you can tell the engineer what does and doesn't light up

Common questions about Hotpoint F18

What does F18 mean on a Hotpoint washer dryer?

The washer dryer's electronics have lost or corrupted the stored data they run on, or the control board and the display have stopped talking to each other properly. Hotpoint list F18 as an internal data error — a communication or memory fault inside the control electronics rather than anything mechanical like the pump, heater or door lock. The usual giveaway is the display itself: some or all of the lights, digits and programme indicators stop behaving normally, and the machine either won't accept a programme or halts before it gets going. It stops because the board can no longer trust its own settings, so it won't run a wash or a drying phase blind.

Can I fix Hotpoint F18 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall socket, leave it for a minute or two, then switch back on — a full power-down clears the odd one-off data glitch.
Check the socket and plug are sound and the machine isn't running through a damaged extension lead or a loose adaptor.
Try selecting a plain cotton programme and see whether the display responds at all, so you can tell the engineer what does and doesn't light up.

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

How much does it cost to repair Hotpoint F18?

£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 F18?

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 washer dryer 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 washer dryer codes

All Hotpoint fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

washer dryer not drying

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Hotpoint F18 error — washer dryer