What Does Error Code F43 Mean on a Siemens Washing Machine?
Check the drum for a jammed item by rotating it by hand with the machine unplugged — remove any obstruction you find, then restart the cycle (takes about 10 minutes).
Fault description
Error code F43 means your Siemens washing machine has detected that the drum is not rotating as expected. The machine monitors motor feedback during every cycle, and when it receives no movement signal — or a signal that falls outside normal parameters — it stops the programme and displays F43 to protect the motor and drum bearings from damage.
When this error appears, the wash cycle will halt mid-programme. You may notice the drum is completely still, or that it attempts to turn and then stops almost immediately. In some cases you will hear a humming sound as the motor tries but fails to drive the drum.
The fault can stem from something as simple as a sock caught between the drum and the door seal, or from a more significant mechanical issue such as worn carbon brushes or a failing motor. Working through the checks below in order will help you identify the cause quickly.
Causes
- Foreign object jamming the drum — Small items such as coins, underwire from a bra, or a sock can slip between the drum and the door seal or drum paddle, physically preventing the drum from rotating. This is the most common trigger for F43 and is usually easy to identify and clear.
- Worn or failed carbon brushes — Brushed motors rely on carbon brushes to transfer electrical current to the spinning armature. Over time these brushes wear down and lose contact, causing the motor to lose torque or stop turning altogether. This is a very common cause on machines that are several years old.
- Seized or stiff drum bearings — The drum sits on bearings at the rear of the outer tub. When these bearings wear out or corrode, the drum becomes very difficult to turn and the motor cannot overcome the resistance. You may notice a rumbling or grinding noise before the F43 error appears.
- Faulty motor — The motor itself can develop internal faults — a burnt-out winding, a failed capacitor on single-phase motors, or damaged rotor magnets on brushless models. A faulty motor will typically fail to start or will cut out under load.
- Wiring or connector fault between motor and control board — The wiring harness connecting the motor to the main control board can suffer from loose connectors, corrosion, or chafed insulation. If the control board cannot send or receive signals from the motor, it will log F43 even if the motor itself is undamaged.
- Faulty motor control module or main PCB — In some cases the motor and drum are mechanically sound but the control electronics that drive the motor have failed. A defective motor control module or main PCB will prevent the motor from receiving the correct drive signal.
Step-by-Step Fix
- 1
Unplug the machine and check for a jammed drum
Switch the machine off at the wall and unplug it. Open the door and try turning the drum slowly by hand in both directions. If it will not move at all, or moves only a fraction before stopping, feel around the gap between the drum and the door seal for any trapped items such as coins, wire, or fabric. Remove anything you find, then plug the machine back in and run a short cycle to see if the error clears.
- 2
Redistribute or reduce the load
An unbalanced or overloaded drum can cause the motor to stall and trigger F43. Remove some items from the drum, redistribute the remaining laundry evenly, and restart the cycle. As a guide, most Siemens washing machines should not be loaded beyond roughly 80% of their rated capacity for heavy fabrics such as towels or denim.
- 3
Inspect and replace the carbon brushes
Unplug the machine and pull it away from the wall. Remove the back panel (usually held by three or four screws). Locate the motor — it sits beneath the drum — and identify the two carbon brush holders on either side of the motor body. Slide or unscrew each holder and pull out the brush. If either brush is worn down to less than 10 mm in length, both brushes should be replaced as a pair. Replacement brushes for Siemens motors are widely available and straightforward to fit.
- 4
Check the motor wiring and connectors
With the back panel still removed, trace the wiring harness from the motor up to the control board. Press each connector firmly to ensure it is fully seated. Look for any wires that appear burnt, corroded, or have damaged insulation. A loose connector is a quick fix — simply push it back in firmly. Damaged wiring will need to be repaired or the harness replaced.
- 5
Test the drum bearings
With the machine unplugged, grip the drum through the door opening and try rocking it up and down. A small amount of play is normal, but significant movement or a rough, gritty feeling when you spin the drum by hand suggests the bearings are worn. Also listen for a rumbling or grinding noise when you rotate the drum. Worn bearings require the rear bearing housing to be replaced — this is a more involved repair but is achievable with basic tools and a spare afternoon.
- 6
Run a diagnostic cycle and note any additional error codes
Reassemble the machine and run a service diagnostic if your model supports it — consult your user manual for the key combination to enter diagnostic mode. Additional error codes displayed alongside F43 can point directly to the motor, the control board, or the wiring, saving time on further diagnosis. Note down any codes before clearing them.
- 7
Consider motor or PCB replacement if all else checks out
If the drum turns freely, the brushes are good, the wiring is intact, and the bearings feel smooth, the fault is likely in the motor itself or the motor control electronics. At this stage, testing requires a multimeter to check motor winding resistance and supply voltage at the motor connector. If you are not comfortable with electrical testing, this is the point to contact a service technician.
Affected models
Select your model to see its full troubleshooting page.
When to call a service technician
Contact a service technician if the drum is completely seized and you cannot identify a physical obstruction, if you have replaced the carbon brushes and the error persists, or if you find burnt or melted components anywhere near the motor or control board. These symptoms suggest internal motor failure or PCB damage that requires specialist testing equipment to diagnose safely.
You should also seek professional help if the machine makes a loud grinding or banging noise when attempting to run — this can indicate a bearing failure severe enough that continued use risks damaging the outer tub or drum shaft, turning a moderate repair into a much more costly one.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use my Siemens washing machine while it shows F43?
No — you should not run the machine while F43 is active. The error means the drum is not turning, so continuing to run a cycle will not wash your clothes and could cause the motor to overheat or burn out. Unplug the machine and work through the checks above before using it again.
How long do carbon brushes typically last on a Siemens washing machine?
Carbon brushes generally last between five and ten years depending on how frequently the machine is used. Households that run the machine daily will see brushes wear faster than those running two or three cycles a week. Replacing brushes is one of the most cost-effective maintenance tasks you can do on an older brushed-motor machine.
Is F43 always a motor problem, or could it be something simpler?
F43 is not always a motor fault. A trapped foreign object is actually the most common cause and takes only a few minutes to check and clear. Always start with the simplest physical checks before assuming the motor needs attention. Overloading is another frequently overlooked cause that costs nothing to fix.
How much does it typically cost to repair a Siemens F43 error?
If the fix is a jammed object or a carbon brush replacement, costs are minimal — a brush set usually costs between £10 and £25. Bearing replacement parts typically run £20–£50 but require more labour time. A full motor replacement is the most expensive route, with parts ranging from £80 to £200 depending on the model, plus labour if a technician carries out the work.
Will resetting the machine clear the F43 error permanently?
A power reset — unplugging the machine for a few minutes — may clear the error code temporarily, but if the underlying fault is still present the code will return as soon as the machine tries to run the drum again. A reset is useful for confirming whether the fault is intermittent, but it is not a fix on its own. Always investigate the root cause.