Repair Guide to Fix Indesit & Hotpoint Washing Machine F05 or F11 Error (Not Draining)

Is your Hotpoint or Indesit washing machine showing an F05 or F11 error code and refusing to empty or drain?

If you do not have a digital display and you have the LED version, then it will be the second and fourth light on the side or the second and fourth light at the bottom, depending on which control panel you have.

In this repair guide, we help you through a step-by-step process to diagnose and fix the problem yourself, potentially saving you money on a call-out fee.

We filmed the video on a Hotpoint NSWE 742U washing machine but of course this can be applied to many models on Indesit and Hotpoint washing machines.

Additionally, you can visit our web store to buy genuine spare parts: https://shop.how-to-repair.com/collections/washing-machine-parts

Safety First!

• Before doing anything on your washing machine, please unplug it first!

Let's Begin!

In this guide for Hotpoint & Indesit Washing machines not draining problem, you will learn:

• What the F05 & F11 error code means
• 6 common causes of an F05 error (including clogged filters, jammed impellers, and blocked waste hoses)
• How to safely drain your washing machine (unplug it first!)
• How to clean the pump filter (the most common culprit!)
• How to check the impeller for obstructions
• How to inspect the sump hose and waste hose for blockages
• How to test the pump motor (with safety precautions)
• How to check the sink fitting for blockages

What Does F05 Mean on a Hotpoint Washing Machine?

F05 on a Hotpoint or Indesit washing machine is related to the waste pipe blockage or pump issue. Whereas, the F11 code is related to the pump circuit fault. Both of the problems typically indicate that the washing machine is unable to empty the water in the allocated period of time.

A washing machine requires confirmation that the water has been properly drained before beginning the spinning cycle. It avoids spinning while the drum is still full of water, as this could result in water being expelled into unintended areas. 

As a result, it waits for a signal from the pressure system to determine whether it is safe to begin spinning. The F05 error indicates that the machine is failing to receive this signal for a variety of reasons.

There Are Basically 6 Reasons Why This May Happen: 

• One is that you have a blocked filter.
• Two, you may have a small item of clothing, an elastic band, or some other item jamming the impeller. 
• The third one is that the motor will need testing or could be burned out. 
• The fourth is that the sump hose, which connects the actual pump to the drum, may have a blockage. 
• Number five is that the waste hose system may have a restriction somewhere. This can either be from a kink or a non-return valve that is not working correctly.
• The last is the sink fitting. If you have it connected underneath your sink, this can also cause problems with fatty water.

How Can You Fix an F05 Hotpoint Washing Machine Error?

1. Draining Water out of Drum:  Depending on the model, you may find the waste pipe attached to the bottom, allowing you to drain the water using a shallow bowl. Otherwise, you may need to remove the plinth and use a shallow bowl to undo the filter, allowing the water to come out in a controlled manner.
2. Cleaning the Pump Filter: Items can wrap around the filter and cause blockages. Additionally, small plastic pieces can get stuck inside the filter. Cleaning the filter regularly, at least once every couple of weeks, is essential to prevent these common issues.
3. Pump Impeller Not Turning: The pump impeller wasn't turning due to a fabric band wrapped around it, a common issue that can be resolved by manually spinning the impeller or using pliers to remove debris.
4. Cleaning the Sump Hose: Cleaning the sump hose involves accessing it from underneath the machine, usually by tilting it forward and sliding it back, then removing the hose clamp and any debris such as coins, screws, or clothing items trapped inside.
5. Remove and Strip Pump Motor and Waste Hose: To be able to do that, you can either inspect them from the angle shown or remove the whole pump system by unscrewing a few screws on the front. Check our video to reach the one-way return valve in the drain hose, as some pumps have them, and clean out any accumulated debris.
6. Pump One Way Return Valve: If the machine hasn't been used for a while, these valves and the ball in the sump hose can get jammed, sticking to the plastic. This can prevent proper drainage when you use the machine again. You can test the pump by disconnecting the electrical connections and pressing down on the pin in the middle of the spade connector to release it from the motor.
7. Waste Hose Restrictions, Kinks, and Blockages on Sink Unit: Two common issues to check for are: first, ensure the waste hose behind the machine hasn't been kinked during installation or movement. Second, inspect the sink fittings, particularly if connected without a standpipe, as blockages from fat buildup or debris like hair and fabric can restrict water flow to the machine.
8. Checking Pump Flow of Water: If you're still experiencing issues with the machine not emptying properly, disconnect it from the waste fittings and try draining it into a bucket. Observing the water flow will indicate if the pump system is functioning correctly. 

As we said in the beginning, the Hotpoint NSWE 742U WS UK washing machine is used in our video. Model numbers below also use the same type of pump system:

Bauknecht

NBS723C WBK EU N, WM 62 SLIM N

Hotpoint

NSWA 1043C WW UK N, NSWA 1044C WW UK N, NSWA 1045C WW UK N, NSWA 843C WW UK N, NSWA 943C WW UK N, NSWA 963C WW UK N, NSWE 742U WS UK N, NSWE 963C WS UK N, NSWF 742U BS UK N, NSWF 742U GG UK N, NSWF 943C BS UK N, NSWF 943C GG UK N, NSWF 943C W UK N, NSWM 1043C BS UK N, NSWM 1043C GG UK N, NSWM 1043C W UK N, NSWM 1044C BS UK N, NSWM 1044C W UK N, NSWM 1045C BS UK N, NSWM 1045C GG UK N, NSWM 1045C W UK N, NSWM 742U BS UK N, NSWM 742U GG UK N, NSWM 843C BS UK N, NSWM 843C GG UK N, NSWM 863C BS UK N, NSWM 863C GG UK N, NSWM 863C W UK N, NSWM 943C BS UK N, NSWM 943C GG UK N, NSWM 943C W UK N, NSWM 963C BS UK N, NSWM 963C W UK N, NSWR 742U GK UK N, NSWR 843C BS UK N, NSWR 843C GK UK N, NSWR 943C GK UK N, NSWR 943C WK UK N, NSWR 963C GK UK N, NSWR 963C WK UK N

Hotpoint-Ariston

NF1043WK IT N, NF1044WK IT, NF1045WK IT, NF1046WK IT, RSSF 621 W IT N, RSSF 624 W IT N,

Ignis

IG 101485 IT, IG 101486 IT, IGS F61050 IT N

Whirlpool

WM 62 SLIM

Related Video: https://youtu.be/5frAx-R4NWI?si=SRqrgd5Y1lXQINa8

Hotpoint Washing Machines Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnAHZbSarsyE7Q9Y33XDbms3Layupzr0W&si=Jtu1PJ8RwWYpExFn