Indesit F01 washer dryer: 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 F01 actually means

The machine's main control board has detected a fault in the part of itself that switches power to the motor, so it shuts down rather than drive the drum.

On Indesit washer dryers the F01 code points at the motor triac on the main control board — the switching device that feeds the wash motor. When the board sees that triac short circuited (or otherwise can't control it), it halts the programme, because a stuck triac can mean the motor gets power when it shouldn't. Typically you'll find the drum won't turn or spin, the cycle stops early, and in some cases one or more programme options can't be selected at all.

What F01 looks like on a Indesit washer dryer

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Indesit washer dryer, F01 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Not drying
Blowing cold air
Clothes still damp at the end
Takes hours to dry
Drum not turning
Won't spin
Hums or buzzes but nothing moves
Turns one way only

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

A failed motor triac on the main control board — the usual finding
A poor or corroded plug connection on the control board
Damp or a water leak that has reached the board
A fault on the wash motor dragging the board's output down
Occasionally a sensor fault, such as the wash thermistor, confusing the board

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.

Switch off at the wall socket, leave it for a couple of minutes, then power up and try a short cycle — a genuine one-off glitch will clear and not come back
Note whether the drum turns at all, and whether any buttons or options refuse to be selected; that tells the engineer a lot before they arrive
Check the machine isn't standing in damp or leaking water underneath

Common questions about Indesit F01

What does F01 mean on a Indesit washer dryer?

The machine's main control board has detected a fault in the part of itself that switches power to the motor, so it shuts down rather than drive the drum. On Indesit washer dryers the F01 code points at the motor triac on the main control board — the switching device that feeds the wash motor. When the board sees that triac short circuited (or otherwise can't control it), it halts the programme, because a stuck triac can mean the motor gets power when it shouldn't. Typically you'll find the drum won't turn or spin, the cycle stops early, and in some cases one or more programme options can't be selected at all.

Can I fix Indesit F01 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Switch off at the wall socket, leave it for a couple of minutes, then power up and try a short cycle — a genuine one-off glitch will clear and not come back.
Note whether the drum turns at all, and whether any buttons or options refuse to be selected; that tells the engineer a lot before they arrive.
Check the machine isn't standing in damp or leaking water underneath.

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

How much does it cost to repair Indesit F01?

£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 F01?

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 Indesit washer dryer codes

All Indesit 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.

Indesit F01 error — washer dryer