Error F11 in the Indesit washing machine

error f11 on SM Indesit Modern Indesit washing machines are capable of independently diagnosing problems in the system and sending an “SOS” to its owner. One of these signals will be the inscription “F11” on the display, and if there is none, the “Rinse”, “Intensive Wash”, “No Spin”, “Quick Ironing” and “Spin” lights will flash. All this clearly indicates that there are problems with draining the water, and in order to continue washing, the problem must be corrected.

It’s not difficult to restore the unit’s functionality on your own: just find out the reason for the F11 error on the Indesit washing machine. Possible sources of malfunction may include a dirty filter, a broken water level sensor, or a burnt-out pump. In most cases, you can diagnose the defect and repair the washing machine yourself. We will describe in detail below how to do this competently and quickly.

What can this code cause?

Error F11 can occur both at startup and during the washing process. For example, the machine suddenly does not want to drain the water, spin the laundry, or stop the cycle it has just started. The cause of this unpleasant situation may be the following malfunctions:

system failure;
filter contamination;
malfunction of the drain pump;
inoperative pressure switch;
problems with the control module.

Also, such a code may indicate problems with individual elements of the drain mechanism: pipes, hose, wires. But first you need to rule out a possible system failure and reboot the machine. If after resetting the error, turning it off and rebooting, the washing machine still shows F11, you will have to start repairing it yourself. Possible problems should be checked in order: from the filter, pump and hoses to the control system.

Let's start with the garbage filter

Most often, the source of failure with error code F11 is a clogged filter, in which paper, hair, buttons and other small debris accumulate. All this must be carefully removed without damaging the filtration system. It is necessary to act strictly according to the instructions that are also followed by the technicians in the Indesit machine maintenance services. We act like this.

First, disconnect the washing machine from the power supply and turn off the water and drain.
Determine the location of the filter. For most Indesit models of both front and vertical loading types, it is located below behind a special panel.
Use scissors or a flat screwdriver to pry up the panel and remove the cover.
Place a rag under the unit and unscrew the filter. You must be prepared for water to pour out of the drain system.
We carefully clean the unscrewed filter: first we remove large debris, then we clean the deposits with a standard sponge or toothbrush. There is a more effective way to remove limescale and unpleasant odors - soak the filter in water with the addition of citric acid.
Next, rinse the part under a strong stream of warm water.

Important! The water must be warm, since at high temperatures the plastic may deform and the rubber seal may lose its elasticity.

After cleaning the filter itself, you need to pay attention to the surrounding elements of the drain system. So, be sure to check the mounting hole, shine it through with a flashlight and remove plaque and dirt. We complete the cleaning process by returning the filter to its place and connecting all the pipes. The main thing is that the filter cover fits tightly to the device, otherwise water will leak.

Such cleaning of the filtration system should be regular and carried out every six months. Also useful for the Indesit washing machine is comprehensive wet cleaning of the internal structure every six months.

Let's move on to the drain pump

If the source of the error is a faulty drain pump, then the repair will take a different route. Then you will have to carefully inspect the integrity of the pump. The first step is to provide access to the part: unscrew the fasteners, remove the bottom, disconnect the connected wires, loosen the clamps and remove the device. The instructions on what to do next are as follows.

Clean the pipes.
Inspect the pump impeller and, if there is any entangled hair, dirt or debris, clean it thoroughly. This action will require dismantling the pump, which is quite easy to do with your own hands.
It is necessary to photograph the original location of the wiring, disconnect the conductors from the pump, loosen the clamps, pull off the hose with the fitting and turn the housing counterclockwise half a turn.
Next, we pry up the latches, remove the cover and inspect the mechanism, rubber seals and impeller. After thorough cleaning, we assemble the structure back and install it in its original place, using the photo as a guide.
Check the pump with a multimeter to rule out the possibility of burnout due to short circuit or overheating. To do this, just set up the measuring device, attach the probes to the contacts and record the value. If the number on the screen is less than one, the pump has burned out and cannot be repaired, and if a three-digit number appears, you must continue troubleshooting.
Feel the connected hoses from the tank to the pump, placing the washing machine on its side. It is rare, but it happens that a sock or children's clothing gets caught in the rubber sleeve. To remove the blockage, you will have to disconnect the hose from the pump and clean it.

When cleaning the filter and checking the pump does not explain the appearance of error F11 or the pump needs to be replaced, you need to pay attention to the control board triac and water level sensor. It is difficult and unsafe for an untrained person to check their performance, and only a specialist can select a new suitable pump. Therefore, it is better to contact the service department and entrust the Indesit washing machine to professionals.