Miele Washer Fault Codes: What They Mean and How to Fix Them

Last updated: October 5, 2026 · Applies to Miele front-load washers sold in the US, including W1 models (display wording varies by model) · Sources

Miele washers show faults as F numbers — such as F10 for water intake or F11 for drainage — or as plain-text messages like “Waterproof system activated”. This guide covers 12 Miele washer faults and messages, using Miele’s own support guidance.

Miele washer fault code table

Always switch the washer off before opening the drain pump access panel, and unplug it before anything beyond cleaning filters.

Don’t see your code? Miele’s US support site lists many more F numbers. Search “Miele washer fault F” plus your number on Miele’s support site, or check your operating instructions.

Troubleshooting without an error code

No code on the display, but something’s not right? Work through these safe checks for the most common washer problems, in order. They apply to most Miele washers — Miele specifics noted where confirmed. Unplug the washer before touching hoses, filters or panels.

Washer won’t start

1. Check the plug is fully seated in a working outlet and the breaker hasn’t tripped (test the outlet with a lamp).
2. Close the door or lid firmly — the washer won’t start if it can’t detect it as closed.
3. Look for a lock icon or “CL/LOC” on the display: Child/Control Lock may be on. See your manual for which button to hold.
4. Make sure you pressed Start (on many models you must select a cycle and then press and hold Start, or press Start within a few seconds of powering on).

Washer won’t drain or clothes are soaking wet

1. Cancel the cycle and run a Drain & Spin (or Rinse & Spin) to see whether it drains at all.
2. Check the drain hose behind the washer for kinks or a crushed section, especially after the washer was moved.
3. Make sure the drain hose isn’t pushed too far into the standpipe and isn’t sealed into it with tape — this can cause siphoning or slow draining. Miele specifies a maximum drain height of 3 ft 3 in (1 m).
4. If your washer has a drain pump filter or coin trap, unplug the washer and clean it (towels and a shallow pan ready; the water may be hot). Miele washers have drain filters behind the drain pump access panel at the bottom front — unscrew them slowly, as water will come out.
5. Too many suds can stop a washer draining and spinning properly — use HE detergent and measure it.

Washer won’t spin

1. Open the door or lid and spread the load evenly; add a couple of towels to a single heavy item or remove a few items from an overloaded drum.
2. Make sure the washer has drained — most washers won’t spin with water in the tub (see “won’t drain”).
3. Check the washer is level and doesn’t rock; adjust the feet.
4. Check the door or lid is fully latched — spin requires it to lock.
5. Run a Spin-only cycle on its own to test.

Washer is leaking

1. Unplug the washer and turn off both water taps before investigating.
2. Check the fill hose connections at the taps and at the back of the washer; hand-tighten loose couplings and replace cracked or bulging hoses.
3. Check the drain hose is secured in the standpipe and the standpipe isn’t overflowing.
4. On front-loaders, look for tears or trapped items in the door gasket and check that the drain pump filter cap is screwed in fully.
5. Too many suds can push water out of the dispenser or door — use HE detergent at the recommended dose.
6. If water is coming from underneath with no obvious source, stop using the washer and call a technician.

Washer is noisy, shaking or “walking”

1. Rebalance the load and avoid washing a single heavy item on its own.
2. Level the washer: adjust the feet until it doesn’t rock and tighten the lock nuts if fitted.
3. On a new washer, confirm the shipping bolts or transit restraints were removed (see the installation guide).
4. Check pockets for coins, keys and other hard objects; on models with a drain pump filter, a rattling or grinding sound while draining can mean an object in the filter.
5. Loud banging, grinding or squealing that continues with an empty drum needs a technician.

Washer smells musty

1. Run the washer’s cleaning cycle (Tub Clean, Clean Washer, Self Clean or similar) with an approved washer cleaner or bleach as your manual directs.
2. On front-loaders, wipe the door gasket — including the folds — and leave the door ajar between loads so the drum can dry.
3. Remove and rinse the detergent dispenser drawer and clean the drawer cavity.
4. Clean the drain pump filter if your model has one; trapped lint and debris can smell.
5. Use only HE detergent and don’t overdose — excess detergent and fabric softener leave residue that feeds odors.

Common mistakes

Many “faults” are caused by how the washer is loaded, installed or maintained. Avoid these and you’ll see far fewer codes:

• Overloading the drum. Clothes need room to move. Packing the drum causes unbalanced loads, poor rinsing and strain on the motor and suspension.
• Too much detergent, or the wrong kind. Modern washers use little water. Use HE (high-efficiency) detergent and measure it — excess suds can cause drain, spin and suds codes, leaks and odors.
• Washing one heavy item alone. A single bath mat, rug or comforter bunches to one side. Add a few similar items to balance it, or use the bulky/bedding cycle.
• Ignoring the drain hose. A kinked hose, or one pushed too far into the standpipe or taped in place, causes slow draining or siphoning.
• Leaving taps half-closed. Partly open taps and dirty inlet screens cause slow-fill codes. Open both taps fully.
• Never cleaning the washer. Skipping the cleaning cycle, gasket wipe-downs and filter cleaning leads to odors, residue and drain problems.
• Resetting instead of fixing. Unplugging clears the display but not the cause. Do the checks first; repeated resets can also clear the fault history a technician would use.

Tips and tricks for Miele owners

Useful Miele-specific features and procedures, confirmed from Miele’s own support pages and manuals. Exact buttons vary by model, so check your manual.

• The 2-minute reset. For general F faults Miele says to disconnect power for at least 2 minutes before switching back on — shorter resets may not clear the control.
• Test your water flow. Miele’s benchmark: with the faucet fully open, at least 5 liters (about 1.3 gallons) in 15 seconds. Less than that can cause F10 or F15.
• Drain filters: go slowly. Unscrew the drain filters slowly to let water out, and tighten them again to pause. Each filter must go back on its own side and be screwed tight, or it can leak.
• Emergency door release. If the door won’t open after a leak or fault, Miele’s procedure uses an emergency release behind the drain pump access panel — only once the drum has stopped and power is off.
• Watch the drain height. Keep the drain outlet no higher than 3 ft 3 in (1 m) — a common cause of F11 after installation.

Safety note

When to call a pro

The steps above are limited to safe, user-level checks. Call Miele Service if:

• “Waterproof system activated” appears — there is a leak inside the washer.
• F19, F20, F35, F53 or another F fault returns after a 2-minute power reset.
• F10 or F15 continues with good flow (5 L in 15 seconds) and clean filters.
• F11 continues after the drain filters and pump are clean and the hose is correct.
• You notice a burning smell, smoke, sparks or loud grinding or banging.

Frequently asked questions

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