As a homeowner, you probably know that paying for a service call (when one of your appliances starts acting up) is not always cheap.
The good news is that with a little guidance, you can fix most problems quite easily (even if you don’t have much DIY experience).
That said, in this Miele dishwasher troubleshooting manual, I will tell you how you can diagnose and fix your Miele dishwasher when it starts acting up.
In addition, I will also show you how you can reset/clear some common error codes.
Miele dishwasher troubleshooting manual – how to fix various dishwasher problems and fault codes
Why is my Miele dishwasher not turning on? (Miele dishwasher troubleshooting no power)
The most common cause for your dishwasher not turning on is if it’s not getting any power.
To fix the problem, do the following:
- Confirm that you have connected your dishwasher to its own power outlet.
- Check if the circuit breaker has tripped. If it has, be sure to flip it on.
- Use a multimeter/voltmeter to confirm that the power outlet is giving 110-120v AC. If it is not, you can either fix it or have an electrician fix it.
If all the above checks out but your dishwasher still won’t turn on, it’s quite likely that the control board is fried.
In this case, your best solution will be to replace the board.
Miele dishwasher troubleshooting not starting
To remedy this problem, start by making sure that the dishwasher door is closing fully. This will include rearranging any utensils that might be preventing the door from closing fully.
Other than that, check if the dishwasher has come loose from one of its hinges.
If it has, your best workaround will be to remove the door from both hinges and re-install it.
Also, it might be that your dishwasher is running the water softener reactivation program.
Pro tip: The softener reactivation program is not available in all Miele dishwashers.
If your model has this program, it can run for up to 10 minutes before it starts the wash cycle.
So, give your dishwasher time.
Moving on…
Does your dishwasher display show Demo mode – on?
If yes, here’s what you can do to get your dishwasher out of demo mode…
Press the More button, go to Settings, choose Demo mode, choose Off, and press and OK button.
Pro tip: In some models, you will need to first press the OK button and within one second, press the More button to be able to enter into settings.
Some models will not have the Demo mode option. Instead, they will have a Showroom option which is still the same.
Another thing you can try is to deactivate the child/system lock.
To turn it off, switch on your dishwasher.
It will display a message like this: The appliance is locked.
Press OK and the dishwasher will now prompt you whether you want to deactivate the system lock.
Select Yes to unlock your dishwasher:
If the problem continues, it’s quite likely that your dishwasher is experiencing drainage or water inflow problems.
To know how you can fix these problems, refer to the sections below on Miele dishwasher not filling with water and Miele dishwasher not draining.
Miele dishwasher troubleshooting control panel not working
If your dishwasher is displaying the appliance is locked message, it means that the child/system lock feature is active.
For the control panel to start working, you will need to deactivate this feature.
To do so, turn on your dishwasher by pressing the Φ sensor and then confirm by pressing OK.
Your dishwasher will then prompt whether you want to deactivate the child safety lock:
Select Yes and the dishwasher will unlock the control panel.
Pro tip: This will vary from one model to the other. So, refer to your user manual for instructions on how to deactivate child lock on your model.
Other than that, it might be that your dishwasher is misbehaving due to an erratic control board more so after a power failure.
Fortunately, resetting your dishwasher will fix this problem.
To reset it, trip the circuit breaker and let the dishwasher sit for at least five minutes without power.
Miele dishwasher not filling with water (How to fix Miele dishwasher F12, F13, F15, and F173 error codes)
Start by making sure that the stopcock and the water faucet to your dishwasher line are fully open.
The next thing you should do is to straighten any kinks the water inlet hose might have.
In addition, confirm that the water pressure to your dishwasher is at least 4.35 psi.
Of course, if the pressure is lower than this, you will need to increase it.
The other likely culprit you should check is the water inlet valve.
Here, you will be testing the inlet valve for continuity… If your valve does not have continuity, it’s a good sign that it is bad.
When it comes to a bad valve, your best solution will be installing a new valve altogether.
Now, if your dishwasher still won’t fill, it might be that it’s not draining properly.
And, this is preventing the dishwasher from proceeding to the fill cycle.
That being so, you can proceed to check for drainage problems using the steps below (Miele dishwasher not draining).
Miele dishwasher not draining (Miele dishwasher troubleshooting F11)
Start by making sure that the minimum drain hose height is 28” and that it does not exceed 39”.
In addition, the maximum length of the drain hose should not exceed 4m (in some models, the maximum length is 3.5 m). So, be sure to confirm the max length from your owner’s manual.
Next, inspect the drain hose for kinks and straighten any that might be present.
Another thing: Make sure your drain hose either has a loop or an air gap to prevent water from siphoning back into the unit.
And if it has an air gap, remove any clogs that might be in there.
Once done, run the garbage disposer (if you have installed one) to clean the drainage system.
Next, clean the filter by following the steps below:
- Remove the filter by turning the handle anti-clockwise:
- Dispose of any foreign objects that might be caught in there.
- Press the recessed grips together as shown by the arrows (1):
While holding the recessed grips, open the filter flap as shown by arrow 2.
- Rinse all the filter parts under running water and then re-assemble the filter making sure it engages.
- Replace the filter and turn the handle clockwise till both arrows point towards each other.
More solutions you can try
The other likely suspect you should check is the drain pump assembly – start by removing any foreign objects that might be caught in there.
Next, turn the impeller by hand – if all is good, you should feel a little resistance.
However, if the impeller rotates freely or won’t rotate at all, swap the pump assembly.
You can also try a continuity test on the drain pump motor terminals – change the pump assembly if you do not get continuity.
Once done, make sure that the drain pump cover fits properly and it engages fully.
To do so, press the cover’s catch inwards (1) and then tip the cover inwards (2) to release it:
Miele dishwasher stopped midcycle (Miele dishwasher stops during cycle)
The most common cause for your Miele dishwasher stopping midcycle is if you’ve not correctly programmed the water hardness.
To fix this, start by measuring the water hardness at the sink (you can also get it from your water company).
Once you have the hardness, proceed to reprogram your dishwasher’s water hardness if they do not match.
Also, it might be possible that you are using too much detergent (or the wrong detergent type).
And, this is causing your dishwasher to produce excess suds which prevents it from proceeding to the next cycle.
In this case, you can run two or three rinse cycles to get rid of the excess suds.
One more thing: The next time you are washing your dishes, remember to use the right amount of dishwasher-safe detergent.
Next, ensure that you have correctly programmed the rinse aid dispensing amount – at times this fixes the problem.
Moving on…
If your dishwasher is not finishing a cycle and all the lights are flashing, it’s quite likely that limescale, grease, or debris have accumulated inside the unit.
To fix this problem, start by cleaning all the spray arms’ jet holes.
To do so, remove all the spray arms and use a straightened paper clip to push any food particles that might be stuck in the jet holes:
Once done, rinse the spray arms under running water.
Next, clean your dishwasher (using Miele dishwasher cleaner) to remove any grease that might be impeding its performance.
Finally, clean the filter, non-return valve, and drain pump (refer to the cleaning instructions under Miele dishwasher not draining section above).
Why is my Miele dishwasher not cleaning properly? (Miele dishwasher not cleaning well)
The most common cause for your dishwasher not cleaning properly is if the spray arm jet holes are clogged.
That being so, start by cleaning the spray arm jet holes (you can use a toothpick to remove the clogs):
Once done, rinse the spray arms under running water to fully remove any remaining debris.
The next thing you should do is to confirm that you have connected your dishwasher to a hot water outlet (at least 115⁰F).
This will help the dishwasher dissolve all the detergent and to better remove any stubborn stains.
Another thing that you should confirm is that you are using the right wash cycle depending on your dishes.
This is because using the wrong cycle for your dishes (such as using the normal cycle for pots and pans with dried-on stains) might result in poor wash performance.
To know which cycle is right for your dishes, you can read our other guide on the same: Miele dishwasher cycles explained.
And by the way, which detergent are you using?
Here’s the thing: You want to make sure that you’re using a quality detergent designed for dishwashers such as Cascade or Finish Quantum dishwasher detergents.
Moving on…
It could also be that the circulation pump might be clogged or dirty hence it will recirculate dirty water.
With that in mind, here are the steps you can use to clean the circulation pump assembly:
- Remove the bottom dish rack and the lower spray arm.
- Take out the triple filter.
- Pour 1 quart of hot water (maximum of 158⁰F) with 3 to 5 rinse aid drops into the dishwasher. Leave the solution to sit for at least five minutes.
- Reinstall the triple filter and the lower spray arm.
- Start the wash program.
Pro tip: You can repeat this cleaning process two to three times if need be.
One more thing: You can also use the above cleaning steps to clear the F14, F69, and F78 fault codes.
If your dishwasher still won’t clean your dishes well, it’s possible that it’s not draining well.
In this case, I recommend you troubleshoot for drainage problems using the steps in the Miele dishwasher not draining section above.
Why is my Miele dishwasher not drying dishes?
For the most part, your dishwasher will fail to dry well if the rinse aid dispenser is empty.
That being so, start by refilling the rinse aid dispenser with a good rinse aid (such as Jet-Dry® rinse aid).
Other times, it could be that the rinse aid dispenser is not dispensing enough rinse aid.
That is why you can also try to increase the rinse aid being dispensed.
However, take care not to increase it too much as this might result in a soapy residue forming on your dishes.
It is also good to confirm that you’re not overloading your dishwasher as this might prevent proper airflow within the unit.
Remember, if your model does not have an automatic door-opening feature, you should let the door stay closed for at least 15 minutes.
This will allow for any residual moisture in the dishwasher to evaporate.
Why is my Miele dishwasher noisy?
Several things might cause your dishwasher to be noisy.
The best way to pinpoint and fix the cause of the noise is to first identify the noise being made.
Once you identify the noise, here’s how you can troubleshoot it:
Miele dishwasher making buzzing/humming sounds
At times, your dishwasher will make humming/buzzing noises when it’s out of salt or if the water hardness has not been programmed properly.
So, start by refilling the salt container if it is empty.
Next, measure the water hardness at the sink (you can also get it from your water company) and then reprogram your dishwasher’s water hardness to match this.
Pro tip: It’s good to note that once you reprogram your dishwasher or refill the salt container, the noise will quiet down after the 3rd or 4th wash cycle.
Other than that, it might also be that the water inlet filter (near the inlet valve) is dirty.
That being so, cleaning the inlet filter might also stop the buzzing/humming noise.
To clean the filter, follow these steps:
- Turn off the shutoff valve.
- Unscrew the water inlet hose from the shutoff valve and remove the rubber seal (1) from the recess as shown:
- Tilt the free end of the inlet hose upside down to remove the inlet filter (2).
- Proceed to clean the filter to remove any calcium buildup that it might have.
- Reinsert the filter and rubber seal back into the hose and then reconnect it to the shutoff valve.
- Turn on the valve.
Also, if there’s a regulator inside your inlet hose, you can try cleaning it – at times it gets dirty, and cleaning it stops the noise.
Finally, locate the solenoid valves on your water diverter.
If any are out of alignment, be sure to re-align them. However, if the valve is defective, replacing it might be your best solution.
Miele dishwasher making clicking noise at startup
Oftentimes, clicking noises mean that the control board might be defective.
In this case, your best solution will be to replace the board.
Miele dishwasher makes knocking noises
If the knocking sounds seem to come from the wash cabinet, stop the cycle and rearrange your dishes.
This is because the spray arms might be knocking on the dishes.
So, rearrange the dishes making sure that no item will obstruct the spray arms as they rotate.
Miele dishwasher making squeaking sounds
A squeaking sound normally means you’re using too much detergent.
When using powder detergent, it’s advisable to ensure you don’t add more than two tablespoons per load.
Alternatively, you can switch to tablet or liquid detergent.
Miele dishwasher making rattling noises
Oftentimes, a rattling noise from the base of your dishwasher means that something is blocking the toe kick plate.
Nonetheless, the noise could also mean that the toe kick is loose.
That being so, to stop the noise, remove the toe kick and check it for obstructions.
One more thing: When reinstalling the toe kick, be sure to tighten it.
Miele dishwasher making grinding sounds
This will usually occur when something is caught in the drain pump assembly.
Therefore, to fix the problem, access the drain pump and use a wet vacuum to remove any water that might be sitting in there.
Next, remove any foreign objects that might be trapped in there, especially around the impeller.
Why is my Miele dishwasher leaking water?
At times, your dishwasher will leak if it overfills.
To this end, start by confirming that the water pressure to your dishwasher does not exceed 145psi.
If it exceeds 145 psi, you can regulate it by installing a pressure-reducing valve.
Alternatively, you can partially close the stopcock or water faucet.
Moving on…
If the leakage seems to be coming from the rear of your dishware, the drain hose might be cracked.
Here, you can opt to either patch the hose or install a new drain hose altogether.
However, if the leak is coming from the countertop vent on the air gap, it means that the hose connecting the air gap to the garbage disposal might be clogged.
As such, the remedy will be to remove and clean any clogs that this hose might have.
Now, if your dishwasher is leaking from the front, be sure to follow the steps in this guide to stop the leaking: How to fix a dishwasher leaking from the front.
You can also check some additional solutions to dishwasher leaking problems here: Dishwasher leaking from bottom right corner solutions.
Miele dishwasher won’t stop running
For the most part, your dishwasher will run continuously if the turbidity sensor is dirty/faulty.
To fix this problem, you can try cleaning the sensor.
If this does not work, try replacing the sensor as it might be gone.
But before replacing the sensor, check if your dishwasher is draining fully.
If it’s not draining fully, some hose/pipe might be leaking hence why the drain pump is running continuously.
To know how you can fix this problem, refer to this section above: Why is my Miele dishwasher leaking water?
If the dishwasher still won’t drain, it’s quite likely that the drain control board is gone.
And, to stop your dishwasher from running continuously, you will need to change the board.
Why is my Miele dishwasher beeping?
Oftentimes, your dishwasher will beep if it detects that the door is not closed.
To stop the beeping, you will need to close the door.
If the beeping continues even after closing the door, open the door and rearrange any dishes that might be preventing the door from closing fully.
And while at it, also make sure that you push the racks all the way in.
Next, confirm that the door hook is engaging properly with the latch.
If it’s not, you can try realigning the hook and latch assembly (if this does not fix the problem, change the latch assembly).
You can also try changing the latch assembly – at times, this stops the beeping (if the latch was to blame).
Finally, confirm that your dishwasher is getting water (refer to Miele dishwasher not filling with water section above).
Miele dishwasher stopcock error (Miele dishwasher displays ‘Water intake’ or ‘Open stopcock’ troubleshooting)
The most common cause for the stopcock error is if the dishwasher detects the stopcock to be closed.
To fix this problem, start by making sure that the stopcock is fully open.
Next, remove and clean the water inlet filter at the inlet hose and stopcock connection:
And if you note that the inlet hose is kinked, be sure to straighten it too.
Finally, if the water flow pressure from the stopcock is below 4.35 psi, be sure to increase it.
Miele dishwasher troubleshooting error codes
Other than the error codes we have already talked about, here’s what some more fault codes mean and how you clear/reset them:
Miele dishwasher error code F170
The F170 error code means that the rinse aid has run out.
To clear the code, all you need to do is refill the rinse aid and then press the OK button
Miele dishwasher fault code F171
The F170 fault code indicates that your dishwasher has insufficient salt.
You can reset this error code by replenishing the salt (replenish it once the program completes).
Once you replenish the salt, remember to press OK to confirm the process.
Miele dishwasher troubleshooting F70
The F70 error code means that your Miele dishwasher might be overflowing with water or excess foam.
If the dishwasher is overflowing with excess water, it could be that you’ve not properly arranged your dishes.
And, this results in the spray jets being deflected to the floor tray via the door seal and overflow.
To fix the problem, give the drain pump time to pump out all the water.
You might also want to wait till the water in the floor tray evaporates.
And, remember to arrange your dishes well (using the loading the dishwasher instructions in your owner’s manual). This will prevent the problem from re-occurring.
Moving on…
If your dishwasher has excess foams, run two or three rinse cycles to remove the excess suds.
That said, here are some tips you should follow to prevent the problem from reoccurring:
- Set the rinse aid dispensing quantity to zero.
- If you are using combination cleaning agents (detergents that have rinse aid), do not add extra rinse aid.
- Use a damp cloth to wipe any rinse aid that might have spilled around the rinse aid compartment.
- If you’re using powdered detergent, ensure you are not using more than two tablespoons per load.
Miele dishwasher troubleshooting F24
Usually, the F24 error code means there is a problem with the heater or the heater relay in your dishwasher.
To pinpoint the problem, start by checking the heater for any signs of damage such as cracks or burn marks.
You can also test the heating element’s resistance.
If the element is good, you should get a reading that is between 10 and 30 ohms.
If your heating element is bad, you should consider replacing it to clear the F24 error code.
However, if the element is good, it’s quite likely that the heater relay is defective.
In this case, you can opt to either replace the relay on its own or you might replace the entire control board.
Final thoughts on Miele dishwasher troubleshooting manual
For other error codes, you can try clearing them by hard resetting your dishwasher.
To do so, trip the circuit breaker and let the dishwasher sit for around five minutes without power.
If this does not reset the code, you can check Miele’s dishwasher error codes guide for other possible solutions.
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