Miele Dishwasher Not Draining or Showing a Water Intake or Drain Fault
Miele dishwashers watch their own water flow. If water doesn't come in or go out when it should, the machine stops and shows a water intake or drain fault, or flashes the Intake/Drain light on models without a text display. The cause is often something simple in the water path.
What it usually is
Most common first.
- Clogged filters
The filter set in the floor of the tub catches food and broken glass. When it's packed, water can't get to the drain pump.
- Kinked drain hose or a clogged sink connection
The dishwasher drains through the sink plumbing. A clogged disposal or sink drain, or a hose kinked behind the cabinet, backs it up. After a new disposal goes in, the knockout plug in its dishwasher port is sometimes left in place.
- Drain pump jammed or failed
A shard of glass or a fruit pit can jam the pump, or the pump itself wears out.
- Water supply closed or restricted
For an intake fault, the shutoff valve under the sink may be partly closed, the inlet hose kinked, or the small screen at the inlet clogged with sediment.
- Failed inlet valve
If the water supply is good and the machine still doesn't fill, the inlet valve is the next suspect.
- Water in the base
Miele's leak protection shuts off the water and runs the drain pump when it finds water in the base of the machine. That usually shows as a Waterproof fault, and it means there's a leak to find.
What you can safely check yourself
- Turn the dishwasher off. Take out the lower rack, lift out the filters, and rinse them under the tap. Feel around the filter well carefully, because broken glass collects there.
- Run the sink faucet and the disposal. If the sink drains slowly, fix that first.
- Look under the sink. The dishwasher's shutoff valve should be fully open, and neither hose should be kinked or crushed by whatever is stored there.
- Turn the dishwasher back on and start a short program. On many models, switching it off and on is what clears the fault.
- Don't tip the dishwasher or pull it out to drain it. If there's water in the base, there's a leak that has to be found.
Anything past this, like refrigerant, gas valves, wiring, or taking panels off, is a job for a technician.
When to call
- The fault comes back on the next cycle.
- There's still standing water above the filter after you cleaned it.
- The drain pump hums or runs nonstop.
- You find water on the floor under or beside the dishwasher.
- The display shows a Waterproof fault.
Common questions
Why is there water in the bottom of my Miele dishwasher?
A small amount of water below the filter is normal. Water above the filter after a finished cycle means it isn't draining, and the cause is the filters, the drain hose or sink connection, or the drain pump.
How do I clear a water intake or drain fault on a Miele dishwasher?
Switch the dishwasher off, fix what you can (the filters, the shutoff valve, a kinked hose), and switch it back on. If the fault returns on the next cycle, a part has likely failed and it needs to be tested.
Do you repair Miele dishwashers in Tampa Bay?
Yes. Artur Company, (727) 599-9631, repairs Miele dishwashers around Oldsmar, Clearwater, Palm Harbor, and Tampa. We're an independent service and aren't affiliated with Miele.
This is general guidance and models differ, so your owner's manual comes first. Artur Company is an independent appliance repair service and is not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by Miele & Cie. KG. Miele is a trademark of its respective owner and is used here only to describe the appliances we repair.
More on Miele repair
Need your Miele looked at?
Call to talk through what's going on, or book a visit online.