Error code guide

Miele Dishwasher Fault Codes: What They Mean and What You Can Do

The codes we see most on Miele dishwashers, what Miele says each one means, the owner steps that actually help, and the ones that need a technician.

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By Daniil, owner and lead technician · Updated October 14, 2026 · Rated 4.9 on Google from 107 reviews

Short answer. F11 is a drain fault: water stays in the cabinet because the drain pump is blocked or the non-return valve is out of place. F12, F13 and F15 are water-inlet faults: faucet closed, a dirty inlet filter, a kinked hose or low water pressure. F14 and F78 mean the circulation pump is blocked, often after weeks without use. F70 is the Waterproof system: water reached the base, the program stops and the drain pump runs; close the faucet and unplug. F24 is a heating relay fault you can’t fix yourself.

Miele dishwasher codes at a glance

Code	What Miele says	Can you clear it?
F11	Drain fault; water in the wash cabinet. Drain pump blocked, or the non-return valve is incorrectly positioned	Often: clean the non-return valve and drain pump (below)
F12, F13, F15	Water inlet blocked or restricted: faucet not open, inlet filter soiled, inlet hose kinked, or flow pressure below 7.25 psi	Often: open the faucet, clean the inlet filter, straighten the hose
F14	Circulation pump blocked (it can dry out and stick during long breaks); otherwise a water inlet fault at the pump pressure or heating level switch	Sometimes: Miele’s hot-water soak (below)
F78	Circulation pump blocked; can stick after long breaks or on first use; otherwise a technical fault	Sometimes: the same soak, then a restart
F70	Waterproof system has reacted; the program is canceled and the drain pump switches on	No: close the faucet, switch off, unplug, call for service
F24	Heating relay contact fault	No: technical fault

Codes and steps vary by model series, so check the article for your exact model on Miele’s site (linked in the sources) and your operating instructions. The data plate on a Miele dishwasher is usually on the edge of the door.

F11: not draining

Miele’s steps, in short: switch off and unplug, take out the filter combination, scoop out the water, and clean the non-return valve (press its catch inward, tip it inward to release the cover, rinse it). Then press a small sponge through the drain pump impeller, carefully remove anything in it, and turn the impeller by hand to check it moves freely. Refit the non-return valve vertically from above so it is flush and its catch engages, reseat the filters flat, and restart.

Careful: Miele warns about glass splinters, which are especially hard to see in the drain pump. If F11 returns with a clean pump and a free impeller, the drain pump, the drain hose or the house drain connection needs checking.

F12, F13 and F15: water isn’t coming in

Make sure the faucet (supply valve) is fully open.
Look for kinks or loops in the inlet hose. Miele notes that bent sections can weaken and tear later, and a damaged hose must be replaced.
Clean the inlet filter: switch off, unplug, close the faucet, unscrew the intake connection, pull out the plastic filter with pliers, rinse it, refit it with its seal, and open the faucet slowly. The connection housing contains an electrical valve: Miele says it must not be dipped in water.
If the flow pressure at the connection is below 7.25 psi, it is a plumbing issue, not the dishwasher.

F14 and F78: circulation pump blocked

When a Miele sits unused for weeks or months, or on first use, the circulation pump can dry out and stick. Miele’s fix: remove the lower spray arm and the filter combination, pour about a liter of hot water (no hotter than 165°F) with 3 to 5 drops of rinse aid into the dishwasher, let it soak 5 minutes, refit everything flat, and restart; repeat 2 to 3 times. Take care with the hot water. If the code persists, it is a technical fault: for F14 Miele names the pump pressure or heating level switch, for F78 the pump itself.

F70: Waterproof system

F70 means water reached the base and the leak protection reacted. Miele’s instruction is to close the faucet, turn the dishwasher off and unplug it, which stops the drain pump, and then contact service. You can clean the filter and check the drain hose, but a leak-protection fault means water reached the base: the source has to be found or it will trip again. Leaks are often far from where the water collects, so this is a diagnosis, not a reset.

What we check on a Miele dishwasher call

The Miele faults we see most are drain and leak-protection shutdowns. A Miele reports many faults as a code, which helps narrow the circuit, but the cause still has to be confirmed with a meter before a part is ordered. Miele parts are usually ordered after diagnosis; when more than one Miele appliance needs attention, we diagnose them on the same visit so parts can be ordered together. Integrated and fully integrated units are diagnosed in place as far as possible, and pulled out carefully to protect the custom panel and the floor.

Miele stainless dishwasher in a kitchen island — Miele dishwasher in a kitchen island on a service call.

Dishwasher tub floor with the lower spray arm and sump area from above — Tub floor and sump: the filter combination and pump access sit under the lower spray arm.

Warranty first

If the dishwasher is under Miele’s warranty, contact Miele’s own service first so the repair is covered.

Bosch E15 and E24/E25: the equivalent leak and drain codes on Bosch and Thermador.
Dishwasher not draining on any brand.
Miele oven and range hood, Sausalito: two Miele faults diagnosed on one same-day visit.

Miele dishwasher service in Marin County and San Francisco

We see Miele most in Sausalito, San Rafael and Mill Valley, and work across Marin County from San Rafael and in San Francisco from our Marina location. Diagnostic visits start at $85; the fee varies by appliance type, brand, location and appointment requirements, is confirmed before scheduling, and is applied toward the repair if you go ahead. More on Miele repair and dishwasher repair.

Call Marin (415) 494-7882 or San Francisco (415) 683-0403. Tell us the exact code or message (a photo is ideal) and the model from the data plate.

Common questions

What does F11 mean on a Miele dishwasher?

A drain fault: water stays in the wash cabinet. Miele lists a blocked drain pump or an incorrectly positioned non-return valve; cleaning both often clears it.

How do I clear F70 on a Miele dishwasher?

F70 means the Waterproof leak protection reacted. Miele says to close the faucet, switch off and unplug the dishwasher, and contact service. The leak has to be found or it will trip again.

My Miele shows F78 after we were away for a month. Is it broken?

Not necessarily. Miele says the circulation pump can dry out and stick during long breaks. Their hot-water and rinse-aid soak, repeated 2 to 3 times, often frees it.

What causes F12, F13 or F15?

Water isn’t coming in fast enough: the faucet is closed, the inlet filter is dirty, the hose is kinked, or the flow pressure is below 7.25 psi.

Can I fix F24 myself?

No. Miele describes F24 as a heating relay contact fault that owners can’t remedy.

Sources

Request a visit

Prefer to talk? Call (415) 494-7882 (San Francisco: (415) 683-0403). UniFix Appliance Repair diagnostic visits start at $85. The diagnostic fee varies by appliance type, brand, location, and appointment requirements. We confirm the fee before scheduling. If you approve the repair, the diagnostic fee is applied toward it.