What F18 actually means
The machine's electronics have lost track of their own stored settings, or the control board and display are no longer talking to each other properly, so the wash won't run.
F18 on Hotpoint machines is logged as an internal data error \u2014 a fault in the data the control board holds, or in the communication between the control board and the display/user interface. The usual symptom is that some or all of the display stops working: lights or segments missing, buttons not responding, the programme dial not being read. The machine stops rather than run a cycle it can no longer control reliably.
What usually causes it
- A corrupted or failed main control board
- A fault in the display/control panel module
- A poor or damaged connection between the control board and the display
- Electrical supply disturbance or a power surge upsetting the stored data
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 \u2014 a genuine one-off glitch can clear this way
- Check the machine is on its own socket and not running through an extension lead or adaptor
- Make sure the programme dial is sitting cleanly in a position and not left between two settings
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 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…