Indesit F14 washer dryer: what it means & what to check

What F14 actually means

The machine has found a problem with the heater that produces the hot air for drying, so it has stopped the drying part of the cycle.

On Indesit washer dryers built on the EVO control platform, F14 points at the drying element — the heater that warms the air blown through the drum during a dry cycle. The control board checks that the element is drawing current and heating as expected, and when it doesn't see that, it shuts the drying stage down and flags the code rather than tumbling cold indefinitely. You'll typically see it part-way through a drying or wash-and-dry programme, with clothes coming out damp and the drum air cool.

What F14 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, F14 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Not drying
Blowing cold air
Clothes still damp at the end
Takes hours to dry
Not drying properly
Takes hours to dry a load
Getting hot but the clothes stay damp
No function at all

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

The drying heater element itself has failed open
The relay on the control board that switches the element has failed
A thermal cut-out in the heater circuit has tripped, often after a long spell of restricted airflow
Loose or burnt connections at the heater
Control board fault falsely reporting the heater as dead

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 power it back up and try a short drying programme — an occasional one-off reading will clear.
Make sure nothing is blocking the vents or airflow around the machine and that the drum isn't packed tight with washing, as restricted airflow is what trips heater protection in the first place.
Run a wash-only programme to confirm it is the drying side that has failed and not the whole machine.

Common questions about Indesit F14

What does F14 mean on a Indesit washer dryer?

The machine has found a problem with the heater that produces the hot air for drying, so it has stopped the drying part of the cycle. On Indesit washer dryers built on the EVO control platform, F14 points at the drying element — the heater that warms the air blown through the drum during a dry cycle. The control board checks that the element is drawing current and heating as expected, and when it doesn't see that, it shuts the drying stage down and flags the code rather than tumbling cold indefinitely. You'll typically see it part-way through a drying or wash-and-dry programme, with clothes coming out damp and the drum air cool.

Can I fix Indesit F14 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up and try a short drying programme — an occasional one-off reading will clear.
Make sure nothing is blocking the vents or airflow around the machine and that the drum isn't packed tight with washing, as restricted airflow is what trips heater protection in the first place.
Run a wash-only programme to confirm it is the drying side that has failed and not the whole machine.

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

How much does it cost to repair Indesit F14?

£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 F14?

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 F14 error — washer dryer