Indesit Washing Machine F11 Error Code: Drain Pump Circuit Fault (Water Left in the Drum)

What the code means

Indesit Service UK's washing machine error code guide lists F11 as "Pump circuit fault", with the issue "Water remains in [the machine] / not pumping out", and recommends calling customer service to book an engineer. Indesit's technical documentation for the WIL10 washer dryer (the French service file, mod. WIL10FR) gives the engineer's definition: F11 means the board detects no return signal from the pump, because the drain pump is disconnected or its winding is broken. Its checks are the contacts of connector J9 on the board, the pump's continuity (on pins 1 and 2 of connector J15 on machines with an Easy Door lock, or pins 8 and 9 of J9 on machines with a traditional door lock), which should read 170 ohms, and the wiring between that connector and the pump; the fixes, in order, are a new pump and then a new board. The Indesit Arcadia service manual adds that a short-circuited pump driving triac (the electronic switch on the main board that powers the pump) also sets F11. That's the key difference from F05 ("waste pipe blockage or pump issue"), where a blocked filter or hose is the usual culprit. With F11 the pump isn't being seen or driven at all, so cleaning the filter alone won't usually clear it, but you'll need to drain the water out through it anyway.

Likely causes

• Drain pump winding broken (burnt-out pump), so the board gets no return signal from it (Indesit WIL10 service file)
• Drain pump unplugged, or a loose or corroded contact at the pump or at connector J9/J15 on the board
• Damaged wiring between the board and the pump (chafed harness, rodent damage, water on connectors)
• Pump driving triac on the main board shorted or failed (Indesit Arcadia service manual)

Safe DIY checks

1. Switch the machine off at the plug and wait a couple of minutes, then switch back on and run a Drain or Spin programme. If F11 comes back straight away, it's a genuine fault.
2. With the machine unplugged, drain the water out the way your instruction booklet describes: put a shallow tray and towels down, open the small door at the bottom front, use the emergency drain hose if your model has one, and slowly unscrew the pump filter.
3. While the filter is out, clear any coins, hair grips or fluff and check that the pump impeller turns freely with a finger.
4. Refit the filter firmly, plug back in and try a Drain programme again.
5. If you're comfortable working on appliances, unplug the machine, remove the access panel and check that the plug on the drain pump is pushed fully home and isn't corroded. Measuring the pump winding with a multimeter should give about 170 ohms; an open circuit means a failed pump.
6. If it still shows F11, follow Indesit's advice and book an engineer, and don't keep restarting it full of water.

Parts that commonly fix it

Always match the part number to your exact model.

Related codes

• F01 Indesit Washer F01
• F02 Indesit Washer F02
• F03 Indesit Washer F03
• F05 Indesit Washer F05
• F06 Indesit Washer F06

All Indesit codes →

Sources

1. Indesit Service UK: Washing Machine Error Codes (F11 pump circuit fault: water remains / not pumping out; book an engineer; F05 waste pipe blockage or pump issue for contrast)
2. Indesit WIL10 washer dryer technical documentation, French (F11 no pump return detected, drain pump disconnected or winding open; check J9 contacts, pump continuity on J15 pins 1-2 or J9 pins 8-9, 170 ohms, wiring; replace pump, then board)
3. Indesit Arcadia service manual, fault codes (F11 pump not wired or pump driving triac short circuit; pump impedance 170 ohm +/- 10%, renew pump or PCB)