Neff washing machine

Neff F21 error code: motor fault

The drum motor is not turning as the machine expects.

Engineer jobTypical repair: £70–£170; a motor or board repair costs more.

Likely causes

Worn carbon brushes
Faulty motor or tacho sensor
Control module fault

How to fix F21

Unplug the washing machine (or switch off at the wall) for 5–10 minutes to clear any temporary fault, then restart it.
Switch off for 5 minutes and restart.
Check the drum turns freely by hand.
If it returns, book an engineer to test brushes and motor.
Run a short test cycle. If F21 returns, the fault is still there and an engineer should look at it.

Always switch off and unplug the appliance before inspecting it. Never work on gas appliances or fixed electrical wiring yourself — call a Gas Safe registered engineer or a qualified electrician.

Full fault guide

Washing machine not spinningDetailed causes, DIY steps and costs

Other Neff washing machine error codes

Neff washing machine repair near you

Frequently asked questions

What does Neff error code F21 mean?

The drum motor is not turning as the machine expects. On a Neff washing machine, F21 is shown as "motor fault".

How do I clear the F21 error on a Neff washing machine?

Switch the appliance off at the wall for 5–10 minutes, then restart. If F21 comes back, work through the checks on this page — the fault is real and needs fixing, not just resetting.

How much does it cost to fix Neff F21?

£70–£170; a motor or board repair costs more. is typical, depending on the part. Simple blockages cost nothing to clear yourself.

Does F21 mean the same on every Neff model?

Not always. Codes are broadly consistent within a brand, but model ranges differ. Check your manual if the symptoms below don’t match.