Repair Guide • Miele · Dishwasher
Miele Dishwasher Not Draining: Fault F11 and Other Causes
Written by PointLine Appliance Repair — local, family-owned, Superior, CO · Published · Updated · 9 min read
Short answer
Most often, a Miele dishwasher that won't drain has a clogged filter combination, debris jammed in the drain pump, or a pump cover (non-return valve) that isn't seated correctly. Unplug the machine, scoop out the standing water, and clean the filters and the area under them before you look at hoses or call for service.
Common Causes
Why is my Miele dishwasher not draining?
A Miele dishwasher usually stops draining because something is blocking the water's path out, starting at the filters and ending at your sink drain. The drain pump sits right under the filter combination in the bottom of the tub, so small hard items like glass chips, fruit seeds, labels and toothpicks end up there first. Further down the line, a kinked hose, a clogged garbage disposal connection or a blocked air gap can stop water just as effectively. Less often, the drain pump itself has failed electrically or mechanically.
1.Clogged filter combination
Food residue, grease and paper labels collect on the fine and coarse filters, and if they aren't rinsed regularly, water can't reach the pump fast enough.
What you notice: Dirty, cloudy water sitting around the filters after a cycle, sometimes with a sour smell.
2.Debris jammed in the drain pump
Small hard objects slip past the filters and lodge in the pump impeller, which stops it from turning even though it still gets power.
What you notice: Fault F11 or the drain light flashing, and sometimes a humming or buzzing sound with no water moving.
3.Pump cover or non-return valve out of place
The cover over the drain pump doubles as a non-return valve, and if it was removed for cleaning and not clicked back in properly, the pump can't build flow.
What you notice: The problem started right after you or someone else cleaned the filters, and water drains slowly or not at all.
4.Kinked or clogged drain hose
The hose behind the machine can get crushed when the dishwasher is pushed back into the cabinet, and grease can build up inside over time.
What you notice: Water stays in the tub even though the pump sounds normal, often after a kitchen remodel or appliance move.
5.Garbage disposal or air gap blockage
A new disposal often still has its knockout plug in place, and a full disposal or a clogged air gap backs water up into the dishwasher.
What you notice: Water appears in the sink or spills from the air gap cap on the countertop, or the trouble began right after a disposal was installed.
6.Failed drain pump
The pump motor can wear out or lose its electrical connection, so it no longer runs even when nothing is blocking it.
What you notice: Fault F11 returns after the filters and pump area are clean, and you hear no pump sound at the end of the wash.
Miele Error Codes
What does Miele dishwasher fault F11 mean?
F11, or a flashing drain light on models without a code display, is Miele's drain fault, meaning water was left in the wash cabinet at the end of the drain phase, most often because the drain pump is blocked or the pump cover (non-return valve) is misplaced. F70 is also worth knowing here, because when the Waterproof system reacts, the program is canceled and the drain pump runs, so you may notice pumping without a normal cycle finishing. The other codes in the table below relate to water inlet, circulation pump, intake valve and heating faults rather than draining.
| Code | What it means | Try first | DIY or pro? |
|---|---|---|---|
| F11 / Drain light flashingTry it yourself | Drain fault — water is left in the wash cabinet (often a blocked drain pump or misplaced pump cover / non-return valve).Unplug, scoop out the water, clean the filter combination, the drain pump cover and the drain pump (watch for glass), then restart. | Unplug, scoop out the water, clean the filter combination, the drain pump cover and the drain pump (watch for glass), then restart. | Try it yourself |
| F12, F13, F15Try it yourself | Water inlet fault — the faucet is closed, the inlet filter is dirty, the hose is kinked or the flow pressure is too low.Open the faucet, clean the inlet filter and straighten the hose. Low pressure needs a plumber. | Open the faucet, clean the inlet filter and straighten the hose. Low pressure needs a plumber. | Try it yourself |
| F14, F78Try it yourself | The circulation pump is stuck — common after weeks or months without use.Pour about 1 liter of hot (max 165°F) water with a few drops of rinse aid into the base, wait 5 minutes and restart; repeat 2–3 times. | Pour about 1 liter of hot (max 165°F) water with a few drops of rinse aid into the base, wait 5 minutes and restart; repeat 2–3 times. | Try it yourself |
| F70Call a pro | The Waterproof system reacted — the program is canceled and the drain pump runs.Close the faucet, switch off and unplug the dishwasher, then call for service. | Close the faucet, switch off and unplug the dishwasher, then call for service. | Call a pro |
| F18Call a pro | Water intake valve faulty.Miele says this is a technical fault you can't fix yourself — call for service. | Miele says this is a technical fault you can't fix yourself — call for service. | Call a pro |
| F24Call a pro | Heating relay contact fault.A technical fault — call for service. | A technical fault — call for service. | Call a pro |
Source: Miele USA Customer Assistance — dishwasher display messages. Codes vary by model — check your owner's manual.
Check This Yourself
How do I get water out of my Miele dishwasher and fix the drain myself?
You can safely remove the standing water, clean the filters and pump area, and check the drain hose and sink connection yourself, as long as the power is off. These steps clear most F11 faults, and none of them require tools beyond a cup, a towel and a soft brush. Work slowly and keep track of how each part comes out so it goes back exactly the same way. If the fault returns after all six steps, the cause is likely inside the machine.
- 1Cut the power firstTurn the dishwasher off, then unplug it or switch off its circuit breaker so the pump cannot start while your hands are in the tub.
- 2Remove the standing waterPull out the lower basket, lay towels on the floor, and scoop the water out with a cup or small container, finishing with a sponge until the filter area is mostly dry.
- 3Clean the filter combinationTwist and lift out the filters, take them apart as your owner's manual shows, and rinse them under warm running water with a soft brush until the fine mesh is clear.
- 4Check under the filters and reseat the pump coverLook into the sump for glass, seeds or labels and remove them carefully by hand, then make sure the drain pump cover (non-return valve) is properly in place and clicked down before reinstalling the filters.
- 5Inspect the drain hoseIf you can reach behind or under the sink, follow the drain hose and straighten any kinks or tight bends, and make sure nothing in the cabinet is pressing on it.
- 6Check the disposal and air gapRun the garbage disposal to clear it, confirm the knockout plug was removed if the disposal is new, and pull off the air gap cap on the counter to clear any debris inside.
Safety first: unplug the appliance or switch off its breaker before touching anything inside. If you smell gas, leave the house and call 911 or your gas utility from outside.
When to Call a Technician
When should I call a technician for a Miele dishwasher that won't drain?
Call a technician when F11 keeps coming back after the filters, pump area and hoses are clear, or when you see signs of an electrical or internal fault. At that point the problem is usually the drain pump, its wiring, or a blockage you can't reach without removing panels. Those jobs involve disconnecting the machine and working near electrical components, which is not a homeowner task.
F11 returns after a full cleaning
If the filters and pump area are clean and the cover is seated, the pump may have failed or have a wiring fault that needs testing with proper equipment.
No pump sound at all during the drain phase
A silent pump can mean a dead motor, a broken connection or a control problem, and diagnosing that means working with electrical parts inside the machine.
Water under the dishwasher or an F70 code
A leak that triggers the Waterproof system points to a problem in the base, hoses or pump seals that must be found and repaired before the machine is used again.
Burning smell, tripped breaker or scorch marks
These signal an electrical fault, so leave the machine unplugged or the breaker off and have it inspected rather than restarting it.
Colorado Homes
Does hard water in Colorado affect Miele dishwasher draining?
Hard water can contribute to draining trouble, and some communities around the Denver Metro and Boulder County, including Superior, have water hard enough to leave noticeable scale. Mineral deposits combine with grease and food residue on the filters and in the sump, which makes the fine mesh clog faster and gives debris more to stick to. Over time scale can also build up around the pump area and in the drain hose, narrowing the path water has to take. If you see white chalky film on glasses or the tub walls, assume the filters need more frequent attention as well.
If your Miele has a built-in water softener with a salt reservoir, make sure the water hardness setting matches your local supply and keep the reservoir filled with dishwasher salt as your owner's manual describes. Your water utility can tell you the hardness level for your address, and it's worth checking because it varies from one Front Range city to the next. Using rinse aid and running an occasional machine-cleaning cycle also helps keep deposits from settling in the bottom of the tub. These habits won't fix a failed pump, but they do reduce the slow buildup that leads to many F11 faults.
Prevention
How do I keep my Miele dishwasher draining properly?
- Clean the filters regularly. A quick rinse of the filter combination every few weeks keeps grease and labels from building up, and more often if you run the machine daily or have hard water.
- Scrape plates before loading. You don't need to prerinse, but scraping off bones, seeds, toothpicks and paper keeps hard debris out of the drain pump.
- Run the garbage disposal before starting the dishwasher. Clearing the disposal first gives the dishwasher an open path to drain and keeps food from backing up into the tub.
- Run the machine at least occasionally. Long periods without use can let residue dry and harden around the pumps, which is also when circulation pump faults like F14 and F78 tend to appear.
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FAQ
Miele dishwasher drain problems: what homeowners ask us
Quick answers about Miele dishwasher problems.
Is it worth repairing a Miele dishwasher that won't drain or should I replace it?
In most cases a drain problem is worth repairing, because the cause is usually a blockage or a single pump rather than a failure of the whole machine. Miele dishwashers are built to be serviced, and replacing a drain pump or clearing a hose is a contained repair. We'll give you a firm quote after the diagnosis so you can compare the repair cost with replacement before deciding. If the machine has other serious problems, we'll tell you plainly.
How much does it cost to diagnose a Miele dishwasher that isn't draining?
Our diagnostic visit is $85, and that amount is credited toward the repair if you go ahead with it. During the visit we find the cause, explain what we found, and give you a firm quote before any work begins. You decide whether to proceed with no pressure either way.
Can I fix a Miele dishwasher that won't drain myself?
Often yes, because many F11 faults clear after you unplug the machine, remove the water, clean the filters and pump area, and reseat the pump cover. Checking the drain hose, disposal and air gap is also safe. Replacing the pump, testing wiring or removing panels should be left to a technician.
How long does a Miele dishwasher drain repair take?
A blockage repair is often finished in a single visit once we're on site. If the drain pump needs replacing and the part isn't on hand, we order a genuine OEM part and return to install it. Same-day service is often available, though we can't promise it for every call.
What other Miele error codes are related to draining?
F11, or a flashing drain light, is the code Miele uses for a drain fault. F70 means the Waterproof system reacted, which cancels the program and runs the drain pump, so it can look like a drain issue even though it's caused by a leak. Codes like F12, F13 and F15 point to water inlet problems instead.
What warranty do you offer on Miele dishwasher repairs?
Our repairs come with a 90-day parts and labor warranty. We use genuine OEM parts and stand behind both the part and our work for that period. PointLine is an independent repair company and is not affiliated with Miele, so this warranty is our own and separate from any manufacturer coverage.
Still seeing F11 after cleaning the filters?
Call or text (720) 285-3573 to book a $85 diagnostic visit with PointLine, credited toward your repair, or ask about the PointLine Care Club at $99 a year for free service calls, a yearly maintenance visit and 10% off labor.
PointLine Appliance Repair is an independent repair company, not affiliated with Miele.