What F13 actually means
On an Indesit washer dryer, F13 means the machine can't get a sensible temperature reading from the drying circuit, so it won't run the dry.
F13 is a washer dryer code — it points at the temperature sensor that watches the air in the drying circuit, or the heating circuit it works alongside. Because the machine can't tell how hot the air is getting, it shuts the drying phase down rather than risk overheating. Washing usually still completes normally; it's the drying part that either does nothing or stops early with the load still damp.
What usually causes it
- Faulty drying temperature sensor (NTC)
- A loose or corroded connection to that sensor
- Dryer heating element or its thermostat has failed
- Control board fault on the drying circuit
- Heavy fluff build-up in the drying air path affecting airflow and temperature
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 switch back on and try a short drying cycle — occasionally it clears a one-off reading error.
- Check the filter and make sure the drain hose isn't kinked or pushed too far down the standpipe.
- Try a smaller load — an overloaded drum can leave clothes damp and be mistaken for this fault.
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 Indesit washing machine codes
- Indesit F01 — The machine has spotted an electrical fault in the part of t…
- Indesit F02 — The machine has stopped because it can't drive the drum prop…
- Indesit F06 — The machine can't confirm the door is locked, so it won't st…
- Indesit F07 — The control board has spotted a problem on the heating side …
- Indesit F08 — The machine has a problem with the water heating side of thi…
- Indesit F09 — The washing machine's control board has lost or corrupted th…
- Indesit F11 — The machine can't see the drain pump electrically at all, so…
- Indesit F12 — The machine's control board and its display/selector unit ha…