What this error means
Drain pump fault — the drain pump has failed or is not being controlled correctly
The F11 error indicates that the drain pump motor has either failed to respond to a drain command or has detected an electrical fault during a drain cycle. Unlike F05 which is triggered by slow drainage, F11 specifically indicates a pump motor or pump control failure — the pump is not activating at all, or is drawing an abnormal current. A wiring fault to the pump is also a common cause.
What you'll need first
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Step-by-step
Symptoms to look for
- Machine stops at the drain or spin phase with water in the drum and no pump sound
- Complete silence from the pump area during a drain cycle — no humming at all
- F11 displayed immediately when the machine attempts to drain
- Programme never reaches the spin phase — stalls at the drainage stage every time
How to fix it
Unplug the machine. Place a shallow tray and towels in front of the lower access panel. Open the flap, position your tray, and slowly turn the filter cap anti-clockwise by a quarter turn to release water in a controlled trickle. Empty the tray as needed until the flow stops completely, then unscrew the filter cap fully.
Remove the filter and rinse it thoroughly under warm running water. Shine a torch into the housing cavity. Check for any foreign objects in the pump entrance. Locate the impeller and try to turn it very gently with one finger — it should rotate with light resistance.
With the filter clean and the housing clear of debris, refit the filter and lock it. Plug the machine back in and immediately start a Rinse or Drain programme. Listen carefully for the pump during the first 30 seconds — you should hear a continuous, even humming indicating the motor is running. Complete silence means the pump motor has failed to activate. A loud grinding indicates debris is still present. Unplug immediately after this observation.
With the machine unplugged, remove the rear panel. Locate the drain pump — a cylindrical component at the lower rear or base of the machine with wiring connectors and the drain hose attached. Inspect the wiring connector to the pump for corrosion, loose pins, or a connector that is not fully seated. Disconnect and firmly reconnect it.
With the machine unplugged and the pump wiring connector disconnected, set a multimeter to resistance. Test across the two motor terminals on the pump body. A healthy drain pump motor typically reads between 150 and 300 ohms. An open circuit (OL) reading confirms the motor winding has failed. A reading of zero indicates a short circuit.
If the pump wiring was the cause (loose connector) reassemble everything and run a full 40-degree programme through to the drain and spin phases. Confirm the pump activates cleanly at both the pre-wash drain and the final drain.
When to call an engineer
- Pump motor reads open circuit on a multimeter — motor winding has failed
- Pump motor reads zero ohms — short circuit, motor needs replacing
- Pump connector is confirmed seated correctly but motor still fails to activate — motor has failed
- Burning smell or visible scorch marks on the pump body or surrounding wiring
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between F05 and F11?
Can a loose wiring connector cause F11?
Can I replace a drain pump myself?
Is it safe to run the machine once without fixing F11?
🎯 What is likely causing this fault?
⚠️ Estimates based on common faults — not a guaranteed diagnosis. Always verify before ordering parts.
Parts you may need
Enter your model number to filter results to your exact machine
Usually found on a label inside the door frame or on the back panel of the machine.
| Part | Approx. UK Cost | Find it |
|---|---|---|
| Drain Pump | £15 - £25 | 🏷️ eBay UK → |
| Drain Pump | £20 - £25 | 🛒 Amazon UK → |
ℹ️ Prices are approximate. Always check the part number matches your model before ordering. Not sure of your model number? Find out how to locate it here.