Dishwasher fills with water but does not start washing; A02 displayed or wash LED flashes in a repeating pattern.

Safety first: Switch off power and close the water supply tap.

• Verify water supply: Ensure the under-sink tap feeding the dishwasher is fully open. Check that other taps in the house have normal pressure.
• Clean inlet filter: Turn off the water tap. Unscrew the inlet hose from the tap and from the dishwasher (if accessible). At each end, remove the small mesh filter with needle-nose pliers and rinse under running water to remove grit and limescale. Refit the filters and reconnect the hose firmly.
• Check for hose kinks: Make sure the inlet hose is not sharply bent or crushed behind the machine.
• Test the valve electrically (advanced): With power disconnected, access the water inlet valve at the bottom front or side. Disconnect the wiring connector and measure coil resistance with a multimeter; compare to Hotpoint specifications (typically a few kΩ). An open circuit or shorted coil indicates a faulty valve.
• Run a test cycle: Restore water and power, then run a quick program. If the dishwasher still does not fill within a minute or two and A02 reappears, the inlet valve is likely defective and should be replaced.

If you are not comfortable working with plumbing or electrics, arrange for a professional repair.