ANY MAKEDISHWASHER

Any make · Dishwasher

F5 error code on a dishwasher

Spray arm blocked

A spray arm is blocked or can't turn freely, so water isn't reaching the dishes.

Also shown as F05

Worth repairing?

Usually free

This is cleaning rather than repair, and it costs nothing.

Can you do it yourself?

Very easy

About 10 minutes

Before you start

  • Low risk: nothing to open up.

What to check, in order

  1. Take the spray arms out

    And rinse them.

  2. Unblock the holes

    Poke out blocked holes with a cocktail stick. Limescale and food debris clog them gradually.

  3. Check the bottom rack

    Make sure nothing tall is stopping the arm from turning.

When to call an engineer

Not usually needed.

About this code

Unbranded and less common appliances don't publish one shared code list, so this page gives the most common meaning across makers. Your manual is the final word, and the model number that finds it is on a label on the edge of the door or the side of the tub.

Last reviewed September 2026.

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