What F08 actually means
The dishwasher has decided the water heating isn't working as it should, so it has stopped the programme rather than carry on washing cold.
On these Sharp machines the water is heated by an element built into the wash pump housing, and the control board watches the temperature climb as the cycle runs. If the water doesn't warm up as expected, or the temperature readings don't make sense, the board flags a heater fault and halts. Sharp's own instruction for this one is to call an engineer — there is no owner-level reset for it beyond cancelling the programme.
What F08 looks like on a Sharp dishwasher
Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Sharp dishwasher, F08 usually shows up as one or more of these:
- Dishes coming out cold and wet
- Not drying the load
- Water not heating up
- No function at all
- Dead — nothing lights up
- Lights flashing and nothing happening
- Programme won't start
- Dishwasher tripping the electrics
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 heating element itself has failed open circuit
- A faulty temperature sensor telling the board the water isn't warming
- Poor connection or scorched contact at the heater terminals
- Heavy limescale build-up on the element from hard water
- A control board fault misreading the heating circuit
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.
- Cancel the running programme using the programme-cancel command for your model, then start a short cycle to see whether the code returns straight away or only once heating should begin.
- Switch off at the wall for a minute and back on — the occasional one-off glitch clears this way.
- Clean the filters in the base of the tub and make sure the spray arms turn freely; poor water circulation across the heater does the element no favours.
- If your area is hard water, check the salt and rinse aid are topped up — scale on the element shortens its life.
Which Sharp models show F08
F08 means the same thing on all 11 of these models. If yours is not listed, the explanation above still applies — the code is set by the control board, not the model number.
QW-C13F471W-EN · QW-C13F472W-EN · QW-G472W · QW-GT13F492W-EN · QW-GT21F472W-EN · QW-GT43F393I-EN · QW-GT45F444I-EN · QW-S486X · QW-T13F491W-EN · QW-T21F472W-EN · QW-T24F463W-EN
Common questions about Sharp F08
What does F08 mean on a Sharp dishwasher?
The dishwasher has decided the water heating isn't working as it should, so it has stopped the programme rather than carry on washing cold. On these Sharp machines the water is heated by an element built into the wash pump housing, and the control board watches the temperature climb as the cycle runs. If the water doesn't warm up as expected, or the temperature readings don't make sense, the board flags a heater fault and halts. Sharp's own instruction for this one is to call an engineer — there is no owner-level reset for it beyond cancelling the programme.
Can I fix Sharp F08 myself?
There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.
- Cancel the running programme using the programme-cancel command for your model, then start a short cycle to see whether the code returns straight away or only once heating should begin.
- Switch off at the wall for a minute and back on — the occasional one-off glitch clears this way.
- Clean the filters in the base of the tub and make sure the spray arms turn freely; poor water circulation across the heater does the element no favours.
- If your area is hard water, check the salt and rinse aid are topped up — scale on the element shortens its life.
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.
How much does it cost to repair Sharp F08?
£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 F08?
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 dishwasher 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 Sharp dishwasher codes
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- Sharp F05 — The dishwasher has spotted water still coming in when it sho…
- Sharp F06 — The dishwasher can no longer read the temperature of the wat…
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