To reset your Hotpoint washing machine, press and hold the ‘on/off’ button for 3 seconds.
If this doesn’t work, you’ll need to do a hard reset by turning the machine off at the mains power for 3-5 minutes (the longer the better), and then turning it back on.
This should erase all settings and error codes but might not fix the problem if the cause is still there.
Resetting your Hotpoint washing machine is unlikely to help in most cases. You must fix the source of the error to get your washer back up and running.
But don’t worry, I’ll walk you through the steps for when a reset simply won’t do it.
Resetting Your Hotpoint Washing Machine
If you’re resetting the machine due to an error code – it’s worth noting the code and checking what it means before you actually do the reset.
All the reset does is erase the code and try again, but if the code is telling you that water can’t get into or out of the machine – a reset is not going to fix this.
Hotpoint is definitely one of the more helpful brands here, as they’ve got a comprehensive list of all error codes published online, so you can find the true problem pretty quickly.
If you can’t fix the source of the problem yourself, it’s best to call either Hotpoint support or a local appliance technician to help.
Tip: If your machine is still within the warranty period, don’t be tempted to fiddle with it yourself and instead go straight to Hotpoint’s support team.
On the other hand, if you have fixed the fault – resetting your Hotpoint washer will let you clear the error and restart the machine to try again.
Keep in mind, that it’ll likely jump back to the start of the washing cycle, so if your machine is loaded with water – Don’t be tempted to open the door!
When Resetting a Hotpoint Washing Machine Doesn’t Work
Resetting your Hotpoint washing machine is unlikely to help in most cases. You do need to fix the source of the error to get your machine back up and running.
Find out what your error code means – I’ve included some below – and then the guidance on how to fix that specific problem.
Power & Voltage Problems
Error codes: F01, F07, F12
If you’ve had a power cut mid-cycle, your machine might throw an error because of the irregular electricity supply.
How to Fix
Once the power is back on, check the circuit breaker and electric panel within your house to make sure nothing’s tripped, then reset the machine by turning off at the mains for 3-5 minutes – then turn it back on.
Drainage Problems
Error codes: F05, F11
If your machine got the water in – but can’t get it back out, there might be a blockage somewhere, or a kink in the drainage hose.
How to Fix
- Check the filter – especially if you wear PPE masks, hair bobbles, or trainer socks as these are the most common culprits in my house. You’ll need to look out 3-4 large towels to prevent a minor flood as when you remove the filter, you’re also going to release all the water from the machine.
- Check all your hoses at the back for any obvious kinks or blockages. If there’s nothing glaring, try either removing the drainage hose completely to flush it through, or disconnecting one end and checking for a blockage.
The Door or Lid Isn’t Closed, or Won’t Lock
Error code: F06
If the machine doesn’t believe that the door is closed – either because it’s not, or because there’s a problem with the door or latch mechanism, then there might be an error code, or the machine just might not start.
How to Fix
Check that the door is closed, and the latch is securely fixed with no rogue socks stuck in the door jam. If it’s nothing obvious, you will need to check the seal and latch, and potentially replace one or both.
Water level problems, or a Leak
There might be water or moisture somewhere it shouldn’t be… OR the moisture sensor could be broken and sending off faulty signals.
If you see FE – this is essentially the worst-case scenario, and you need to turn off the water supply immediately to prevent long-term damage to the machine.
How to Fix
- Have a look around the machine for any rogue water drops. If you find any, tighten up the hoses and connections nearby.
- Check that all your hoses are free-flowing, with no kinks or obvious blockages.
- Remove everything from the washer – prepping the floor with towels if the washing machine is full of water – and run it on a completely empty cycle with no clothes or detergent. If soapy suds appear, it’s likely you’ve used too much detergent at some point. The only way to fix this is to keep running empty cycles until the soap is all cleared out.
Water Supply Issues
Your machine might not be able to get the water in; this is most common if you’ve just plugged in the appliance, or if you’re experiencing low water pressure due to a burst pipe in the area.
How to Fix
- If your appliance has been plugged in and worked before, check that there’s not something wrong with the water in the rest of your house – just run a cold water tap and see whether the pressure is what you think is normal. If the tap is dry or trickling, it’s more likely a problem with the local water supply than the machine. Hang fire until the supply is back to normal, then try starting the washing machine again.
- If your appliance is new, double-check all the supply hoses, make sure hot-hot and cold-cold lines match up where needed, that there are no kinks in the lines, and that all the water valves are open.
Reversed Hot & Cold Supplies
If the water coming from the cold supply is too hot to be deemed ‘cold’, this is likely due to a mix-up with the lines.
How to Fix
Double-check your supply lines, and make sure the cold (C/blue) supply is matched to the cold (C/blue) inlet and the hot (H/red) supply is matched to the hot (H/red) inlet.
Unbalanced Load
If the load is somehow unbalanced, either because heavy items have become tangled, or the machine’s just slightly overloaded, you might think a reset would help – but try this first!
How to Fix
Try to untangle and rearrange the load if you can so that it’s more balanced, then restart the machine. If this doesn’t work, remove a few items and try again.
Sticky Buttons
If you’ve got an older appliance or kids with sticky fingers, one of the buttons on your washer might be stuck in / jammed / constantly depressed.
How to Fix
Quite a quick fix for this one – turn the machine off, then give the buttons a good clean. Press them individually until you find the stuck one, then give that some extra attention.
A small cocktail stick or interdental brush might help you release it if it’s proving tricky.
FAQs
How do I force my Hotpoint washer to reset?
If a soft reset doesn’t work, you’ll need to do a hard reset by turning your Hotpoint washer off at the mains power for 3-5 minutes (the longer the better), and then turning it back on.
This should erase all settings and allow the machine to start from scratch.
Where is the Hotpoint washing machine reset button?
There is no reset button as such – although there is a ‘soft’ method, the easiest way is to turn the machine off at the mains for 3-5 minutes then turn it back on.
Read also: How to Reset GE Washing Machine
