What is actually happening
The machine fills, then holds the cycle while the element brings the water up to the selected temperature. If the element has failed open-circuit the temperature never rises, so the machine either waits indefinitely, jumps to the next stage with cold water, or stops with a heater fault code. Clothes come out looking washed but not clean, and greasy marks stay put.
The Hotpoint fault codes that point at this
A Hotpoint washing machine will usually tell you what it thinks is wrong before anyone opens it up. These are the codes we hold for this make that relate to not heating the water:
- F03 — The machine can't get a sensible temperature reading from the water in the drum, so it stops rather than heat blindly.
- F07 — The machine has spotted a fault in the heating side of its control board, so it stops the wash rather than carry on cold.
- F08 — The machine has a problem with the water heating side "the heater itself or the relay on the control board that switches it on " so it won't heat the wash and often stops partway through.
- F11 — The machine can't see the drain pump electrically, so it stops with the water still in the drum.
- F12 — The main control board and the display/control panel have stopped talking to each other, so the machine won't start.
- F13 — On a Hotpoint washer dryer, F13 means the machine can't get a sensible temperature reading from the drying circuit, so it abandons the dry.
- F14 — The machine has stopped because it can't heat the water properly — the heater or its control circuit isn't doing what the board expects.
- F15 — The machine has spotted a problem with the circuit that controls the heating, so it won't heat the water — it usually stops part-way through the wash.
If yours is showing one of those, that is a much shorter conversation than a general fault — tell us the code when you book and the engineer can often carry the part.
The usual causes on a Hotpoint washing machine
- A failed heating element — the usual cause, and the cheapest of these to put right
- A failed NTC temperature sensor, so the machine cannot read the water temperature
- Heavy limescale on the element, common in hard-water areas
- A control board fault where the element itself tests fine
What you can safely check yourself
- Run a hot cycle and put a hand flat on the door glass twenty minutes in — it should be noticeably warm
- Note whether the cycle stalls at the same point every time, which points at heating rather than the program
Still not heating the water?
Most of these need an engineer once the checks above are done. £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 engineers work on Hotpoint machines week in, week out, so they arrive knowing the machine rather than reading the back of it. Local engineers across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.
Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need
Common questions
Why is my Hotpoint washing machine not heating the water?
Cold washes run fine but anything with a temperature either runs cold or stalls partway through. The machine fills, then holds the cycle while the element brings the water up to the selected temperature. If the element has failed open-circuit the temperature never rises, so the machine either waits indefinitely, jumps to the next stage with cold water, or stops with a heater fault code. Clothes come out looking washed but not clean, and greasy marks stay put.
Can I fix a Hotpoint washing machine not heating the water myself?
Run a hot cycle and put a hand flat on the door glass twenty minutes in — it should be noticeably warm. Note whether the cycle stalls at the same point every time, which points at heating rather than the program. Beyond those checks this one normally needs an engineer.
What Hotpoint error codes mean not heating the water?
Hotpoint washing machines report this through their own fault codes. The ones that point at not heating the water are F03, F07, F08, F11, F12, F13. If your machine is showing one of those, that narrows it down considerably — each has its own guide on this site.
How much does a Hotpoint washing machine repair cost?
£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.
Other Hotpoint washing machine faults
- washing machine not draining
- washing machine not spinning
- washing machine leaking water
- washing machine making a loud noise
- washing machine door will not open
- washing machine will not turn on