Dishwasher
F12
The F12 error code on a Candy dishwasher indicates a water inlet or fill problem — the machine isn’t detecting enough water entering the drum. It’s a moderately common fault that’s often fixable at home without a call-out.
What does this error mean?
F12 signals that the dishwasher’s control board has detected a failure in the water inlet circuit — either water isn’t reaching the machine at all, or it’s arriving too slowly to satisfy the pressure sensor within the allotted fill time. Candy dishwashers use a flow meter or pressure switch to confirm a successful fill; if that confirmation doesn’t arrive, the machine halts and displays F12. This is a protective fault to prevent the pump and heating element running dry.
Est. repair cost
£80–£140 professional repair; £15–£35 DIY inlet valve part if self-fitting
🔍 Likely causes
🛠️ Step-by-step fix
Check the water supply tap under the sink — it should be fully open. Turn it anti-clockwise until it stops and restart the dishwasher.
Inspect the inlet hose along its full length for kinks or tight bends, especially if the machine was recently moved. Straighten any kinks and retest.
Turn off the supply tap, unscrew the inlet hose from the back of the dishwasher, and inspect the small mesh filter inside the inlet port. Remove debris with a soft brush or rinse under a tap. Reattach securely and retest.
Reset the dishwasher: switch it off at the mains, wait 60 seconds, then power back on. Select a new programme and observe whether water enters during the first few minutes of the cycle.
Check your household water pressure — if you’ve noticed weak flow at other taps or a neighbour has reported a similar issue, contact your water supplier. Pressure regulators can also fail and may need a plumber.
If all the above checks pass and F12 persists, the inlet solenoid valve is the most likely failed component. This involves partial disassembly of the machine — if you’re not comfortable with that, book an engineer.
📞 When to call a professional
If the inlet filter is clear, the hose is unkinked, the tap is fully open, and F12 still appears after a reset, the inlet solenoid valve or pressure switch has likely failed and needs replacement. Call an appliance engineer and tell them: ‘My Candy dishwasher is showing error code F12, water isn’t entering the drum, and I’ve already checked the supply tap, inlet hose, and filter mesh.’ This will save diagnostic time and potentially reduce your call-out cost.
⚖️ Repair or replace?
A professional repair for an inlet valve or pressure switch on a Candy dishwasher typically costs £80–£140 including parts and labour. If your machine is under 5 years old, repair is almost always worthwhile. For machines 8 years or older — particularly budget Candy models — compare the repair quote against a new dishwasher (entry-level models start around £250–£300); if the repair exceeds 50% of replacement cost, replacing is the smarter long-term decision.