AEG dishwasher PF error
Usable, but not working properly
The voltage reaching the appliance has drifted outside the band it is built to run on, so the cycle pauses. It picks up again by itself once the supply steadies. This reports a problem with the electricity feeding the machine, not with the machine. The appliance is running through an extension lead or a multi-way adaptor shared with something else that draws heavily is the most common cause.
- Difficulty
- Some experience
- Time needed
- About 20 min
- Checks
- 4 steps
Before you start
- A warm or discoloured plug or socket is a fire risk. Stop using it and have an electrician inspect it before running the appliance again.
- The manufacturer notes this code may point to a fault in the electrical installation itself, and advises leaving the appliance off until the supply is known to be sound.
- Do not open the plug, socket or spur to investigate. Measuring a live supply under load is an electrician's job.
- Do not fit a larger fuse or bypass a protective device to stop the pauses.
What it means
The voltage reaching the appliance has drifted outside the band it is built to run on, so the cycle pauses. It picks up again by itself once the supply steadies. This reports a problem with the electricity feeding the machine, not with the machine.
Most likely causes
Ordered from most to least common, with what each one looks like:
| Cause | How likely | What you would see |
|---|---|---|
| The appliance is running through an extension lead or a multi-way adaptor shared with something else that draws heavily | high | A kettle, dryer or heater is fed from the same lead or the same spur |
| A connection in the plug, socket or spur has slackened and is losing voltage whenever current rises | medium | The plug body or the socket face feels warm, or has darkened around the pins |
| The incoming supply to the property sags when a large load switches on | medium | Lights dip elsewhere in the room at the moment the pause happens |
| The machine is fed from a generator, inverter or stabiliser that cannot hold voltage under the heating load | low | The property is on an off-grid or backup supply when the fault shows |
Fix steps
-
Establish how the appliance is connected: straight into its own wall socket, or through an adaptor, extension or shared spur.
Expected result You can say for certain whether anything else is drawing power through the same route. If it does not, go to step 2.
-
Give it a socket of its own, or unplug whatever shares the lead, then run a cycle at a time when nothing else heavy is in use.
Expected result The programme runs start to finish without pausing, which points at loading rather than the appliance. If it does not, go to step 3.
-
A few minutes into a cycle, feel the plug and the socket face and look closely for browning or scorch marks.
Expected result Both remain cool and unmarked. If it does not, go to step 4.
-
If anything is warm or discoloured, or the pause repeats on a dedicated socket with nothing else running, stop using that socket and get a qualified electrician to measure the supply while it is under load.
Expected result You get a measured answer on how far the voltage drops under load, and which part of the circuit is responsible.
Parts needed
No replacement parts are needed for the checks above. This fault is usually cleared without fitting anything new.
When to call a technician
Call a qualified technician if you work through every step above and the code comes back, if you find water where it should not be, or if any part of the job needs the machine powered up with panels removed. A repeat fault after a correct repair usually points at the control board rather than the part you replaced.
Common questions
What does PF mean on a AEG dishwasher?
The voltage reaching the appliance has drifted outside the band it is built to run on, so the cycle pauses. It picks up again by itself once the supply steadies. This reports a problem with the electricity feeding the machine, not with the machine. The appliance is running through an extension lead or a multi-way adaptor shared with something else that draws heavily is the most common reason for it.
Can I keep using the dishwasher?
You can usually still run the machine, but it will not be working correctly and the fault will keep coming back until it is fixed.
Is this something I can fix myself?
Partly. The first checks are straightforward, but the later ones need no special tools and some confidence taking panels off. Budget about 20 minutes.
Models this applies to
Related codes on the same machines
- i10 The machine asked for water and not enough arrived, so it stopped rather than starting a wash with an empty tub.
- i20 The machine has tried to empty itself and the water has not gone, so it has stopped with dirty water still standing in the base.
- i23 The cover that seals the drain pump is loose, fitted incorrectly, or missing altogether, so the pump cannot build suction and the water stays where it is.
- i24 Something solid has reached the drain pump and is stopping the impeller turning.
- i30 The anti-flood device in the base of the machine has been triggered by water where there should not be any.
- i40 The appliance cannot get a trustworthy reading of how much water is inside it, so it halts rather than guessing and either running dry or overfilling.
Sources
- Electrolux Group (AEG), AEG support, PF error code shown on the dishwasher display (link) — retrieved 2026-07-26