Hotpoint Washing Machine F16 Error Code: Drum Lock Position Fault (Top Loaders)

What the code means

Hotpoint UK's washing machine error code guide lists F16 as "Drum lock position sensor fault (top loading machines only)", with the issue described as the drum stopping in the wrong position or not being locked in the correct position, and its advice is to call 0344 822 4224 to book an engineer. Indesit's technical documentation for the WIL10 (the French service file for the shared Hotpoint/Indesit electronics) gives the same meaning: F16 is a drum lock ("blocage du panier") fault on top-loading washers only. On a top loader, the drum has to park with its flaps facing up under the lid so you can open them, and a sensor tells the control board when the drum is in that position and locked. F16 means the board didn't get that confirmation. Front-loading Hotpoint machines don't use F16 this way; if you have a front loader, check the code against your own manual. For contrast, F17 on the same electronics is a door lock fault and F18 is an internal data error on the main board.

Likely causes

• The drum flaps weren't fully closed and latched, or laundry is caught between the flaps or between a flap and the drum, so the drum can't turn and park normally
• A faulty drum lock position sensor that no longer reports where the drum has stopped (the part named in Hotpoint's F16 description)
• Loose or damaged wiring between the position sensor and the main board
• A fault on the main control board that reads the sensor

Safe DIY checks

1. Unplug the machine before reaching into the drum.
2. Open the lid and check the drum flaps. Hotpoint's top-loader manual (WMTF722H) says to close the drum by holding both flaps in the middle with the rear flap over the front flap, and to make sure they're properly locked: depending on the model, all metal hooks hooked inside the rear flap, the button overlapping the rear flap's edge, or the front flap's slider slightly overlapping the rear flap.
3. Make sure no laundry is caught between the flaps or between the flaps and the drum, and that the load isn't overhanging the drum. The manual says not to use the flaps to push laundry down.
4. Don't force the drum round by hand while it's locked.
5. Plug back in and try a short programme once. On Hotpoint top loaders, a drum-flaps-open warning is cleared by pressing Reset for at least 3 seconds, waiting for the Door open light, closing the flaps and restarting, per the WMTF722H manual.
6. If F16 returns with the flaps properly closed, stop there and book an engineer, as Hotpoint advises.

Parts that commonly fix it

Always match the part number to your exact model.

Related codes

• F01 Hotpoint Washer F01
• F03 Hotpoint Washer F03
• F05 Hotpoint Washer F05
• F06 Hotpoint Washer F06
• F08 Hotpoint Washer F08

All Hotpoint codes →

Sources

1. Hotpoint UK: Washing Machine Error Codes (F16 drum lock position sensor fault, top loading machines only; drum stopping in the wrong position or not locked; book an engineer on 0344 822 4224)
2. Indesit WIL10 technical documentation, French (shared Hotpoint/Indesit fault codes: F16 drum lock, top-loading washers only; F17 door lock for contrast)
3. Hotpoint-Ariston WMTF722H top-loading washing machine instructions (closing and locking the drum flaps; drum flaps open indicator, Reset for 3 seconds)