Dishwasher
F10
The F10 error code on a Whirlpool dishwasher indicates a water heating fault — the appliance has detected that the water isn’t reaching the required temperature within the expected time. It’s a moderately serious fault that will stop your dishwasher completing a cycle, but in many cases it’s fixable without a call-out.
What does this error mean?
The F10 code means the dishwasher’s control board has monitored the water temperature during a wash cycle and found it isn’t rising quickly enough, or at all. This is typically measured via an NTC temperature sensor (thermistor) paired with the heating element. The machine stops the cycle as a safety measure to prevent undercleaned dishes and potential damage to internal components.
Est. repair cost
£8–£45 DIY (thermistor or element part only) or £80–£150 for a professional repair including call-out and labour
🔍 Likely causes
🛠️ Step-by-step fix
Reset the dishwasher: Switch it off at the wall, leave it unplugged for 5 minutes, then restart. A temporary sensor glitch can cause a false F10 — a hard reset clears it at no cost.
Check and clean the filter and sump area: A blocked filter forces the pump to work harder and can affect heating cycles. Remove the bottom rack, unscrew the cylindrical filter, rinse it under the tap, and replace it firmly.
Descale the machine: If you’re in a hard water area, run a dedicated dishwasher descaler (such as Finish Dishwasher Cleaner, around £3–£5) on an empty hot cycle. Limescale on the element is a common culprit in areas like London, the South East, or the Midlands.
Inspect the heating element (visible check only): Remove the bottom rack and look at the circular or U-shaped element at the base of the tub. If it’s visibly cracked, corroded, or has burnt marks, it has failed and needs replacing — this is a part you can order (around £20–£45) and replace yourself if you’re confident disconnecting a couple of spade connectors after isolating power at the wall.
Test or replace the NTC thermistor: The thermistor is a small sensor clipped near the heating element or on the sump. If you have a multimeter, a healthy NTC thermistor reads roughly 10,000–50,000 ohms at room temperature. A reading of zero or infinity means it has failed. Replacement thermistors cost £8–£20 and are straightforward to swap — always unplug the machine first.
If none of the above resolves the fault, do not attempt to open or replace the main control board yourself — this requires a qualified appliance engineer.
📞 When to call a professional
Call an appliance engineer if the fault persists after a reset, descale, and visual check of the element and thermistor, or if you’re not comfortable working with electrical connectors inside the appliance. Tell the engineer you have a Whirlpool dishwasher showing error code F10, and that you suspect either the heating element or NTC thermistor — this helps them arrive with the right parts and saves you a second call-out charge.
⚖️ Repair or replace?
A professional repair for an F10 fault — typically a heating element or thermistor replacement — costs £80–£150 including parts and labour in the UK. If your dishwasher is under 5 years old, repair is almost always worth it. If it’s 8 years or older and has had previous faults, a new mid-range dishwasher (£300–£450) is likely better value than repeated repair bills.