Indesit F05 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 F05 actually means

The machine has tried to pump the water out, failed to get the drum empty in the time it allows, and stopped with the load still wet.

On Indesit washer dryers F05 is a drain fault — either the water level sensor still reads a full drum after the pump has run, or the pump cannot shift the water in the allotted time. The machine won't move on to spinning or drying with water inside, so the cycle halts, often with the door locked until the level drops. Note that F05 means the pump itself is being detected electrically; where the pump circuit is dead altogether the board reports F11 instead, which is why the two codes appear together.

What F05 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, F05 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
Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water

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 blocked pump filter — coins, buttons, hair grips and fluff are the usual find
Blocked or kinked drain hose, or a blocked sink trap/standpipe where the hose connects
Something jammed against the pump impeller so it turns but shifts no water
A blockage in the sump hose between drum and pump
A worn or failed drain pump
Pressure (water level) sensor or its hose telling the board the drum is still full

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 and unplug before touching anything.
Open the flap at the bottom front, put a shallow tray and towels down, and empty and clean the pump filter — expect a fair amount of water if the drum still has some in it. Rinse it and check the housing behind it is clear.
Look at the drain hose along its whole length for kinks, crushing behind the machine, or a sagging loop full of water.
If the hose goes into a sink trap or standpipe, check that isn't blocked — a slow-draining sink alongside the fault is a strong hint.
Plug back in, leave it off for a couple of minutes, then run a spin or drain programme to see if the code returns.

Common questions about Indesit F05

What does F05 mean on a Indesit washer dryer?

The machine has tried to pump the water out, failed to get the drum empty in the time it allows, and stopped with the load still wet. On Indesit washer dryers F05 is a drain fault — either the water level sensor still reads a full drum after the pump has run, or the pump cannot shift the water in the allotted time. The machine won't move on to spinning or drying with water inside, so the cycle halts, often with the door locked until the level drops. Note that F05 means the pump itself is being detected electrically; where the pump circuit is dead altogether the board reports F11 instead, which is why the two codes appear together.

Can I fix Indesit F05 myself?

There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Switch off at the wall and unplug before touching anything.
Open the flap at the bottom front, put a shallow tray and towels down, and empty and clean the pump filter — expect a fair amount of water if the drum still has some in it. Rinse it and check the housing behind it is clear.
Look at the drain hose along its whole length for kinks, crushing behind the machine, or a sagging loop full of water.
If the hose goes into a sink trap or standpipe, check that isn't blocked — a slow-draining sink alongside the fault is a strong hint.
Plug back in, leave it off for a couple of minutes, then run a spin or drain programme to see if the code returns.

This sometimes clears with those checks. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.

How much does it cost to repair Indesit F05?

£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 F05?

This sometimes clears with the checks above. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly. 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 F05 error — washer dryer