What this error means
Water intake failure — the dishwasher is not receiving enough water to begin or complete a wash cycle.
The i10 error on a Zanussi dishwasher means the machine has failed to reach the required water level within the permitted fill time. Zanussi dishwashers monitor water intake from the moment the inlet valve opens and display i10 if sufficient water has not entered the appliance within the programmed window. The most common causes are a closed or partially open water supply tap under the sink, a kinked inlet hose, a clogged inlet filter mesh, or insufficient water pressure at the property. A faulty solenoid inlet valve that is slow to open or fails to open fully is a less common but possible cause.
What you'll need first
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Step-by-step
Symptoms to look for
- Dishwasher starts but does not fill with water and displays i10 within the first few minutes
- Machine makes a humming sound at the start of a programme but no water is heard entering the base
- Fill phase takes far longer than normal before any wash activity begins
- Dishes come out completely uncleaned — the machine ran a programme without filling properly
How to fix it
Open the under-sink cabinet and locate the cold water isolation tap on the supply pipe connected to the dishwasher inlet hose. Turn it firmly anti-clockwise until it stops. If uncertain whether it moved, close it fully clockwise first, then reopen fully anti-clockwise.
With the under-sink cabinet open, trace the inlet hose from the tap fitting to the back of the dishwasher. Straighten every kink, sharp bend, and section compressed against the cabinet wall or floor. Gently ease the dishwasher forward if the hose is pinched between the machine rear and the cabinet back panel.
Turn the water supply tap fully off. Place a towel under the hose fitting at the back of the dishwasher. Unscrew the inlet hose coupling anti-clockwise — water will drip out as the seal breaks. Inside the dishwasher inlet port you will find a small mesh filter. Remove it carefully with tweezers, rinse it under warm running water, and scrub all surfaces with an old toothbrush to remove limescale and grit. Refit the filter and tighten the coupling firmly.
With the inlet hose disconnected, point the open end into a bucket and open the tap briefly for three seconds. You should see a strong, steady, full-bore flow. A weak or intermittent flow indicates a property supply pressure problem — Zanussi dishwashers require a minimum of 0.5 bar to fill reliably.
With the dishwasher completely unplugged from the mains, remove the lower kickplate panel at the front base of the machine. The inlet valve is where the hose connects internally — a solenoid body with a wiring connector. Check for visible corrosion, cracking of the valve body, or heavy mineral deposits around the inlet ports.
When to call an engineer
- Water supply pressure confirmed adequate but i10 persists after the inlet filter has been cleaned
- Inlet valve solenoid coil reads open circuit on a multimeter — valve must be replaced
- Inlet hose integrated flow restrictor is blocked with limescale and cannot be cleared — hose requires replacement
- Wiring to the inlet valve is burnt, corroded, or the connector has melted or separated from the harness
Frequently asked questions
Why does i10 appear even though the water supply is connected under the sink?
What is the minimum water pressure a Zanussi dishwasher needs?
Can limescale cause i10 on a Zanussi dishwasher?
Is it safe to run the dishwasher after i10 has appeared?
🎯 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Inlet valve | £25 - £35 | 🛒 Amazon UK → |
| Inlet valve | £25 - £35 | 🏷️ eBay 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.