What F03 actually means
The machine can't get a sensible reading from the sensor that measures the water temperature, so it has stopped the programme.
Inside the drum housing is a small probe that tells the control board how hot the water is. When that reading goes missing or reads out of range, the machine shuts the cycle down rather than risk heating blind. It's a fault in the sensor or its wiring, not something caused by how you load or use the machine.
What usually causes it
- Faulty temperature sensor in the tub
- Loose or corroded connection to the sensor
- Damaged wiring between the sensor and control board
- Control board fault misreading the sensor
- Moisture or scale damage around the sensor
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 it back on and start a short cycle to see if the code returns
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.