Miele dishwasher F11 error
Stop using the machine
Water is still sitting in the cabinet at the end of the programme because it has not drained away. The part you need to reach depends on which generation of machine you have, and the two are not the same. On machines up to the G 6000 range, the non-return valve in the base has become fouled and is holding water back is the most common cause.
- Difficulty
- Some experience
- Time needed
- About 35 min
- Checks
- 7 steps
Before you start
- Disconnect the appliance from the electricity supply before reaching into the base.
- The manufacturer warns specifically about glass splinters here, which are very hard to see in the pump area. Wear gloves and work by torchlight rather than feeling around.
- Do not force the wrong component. Opening a drain pump cover on a machine that has a non-return valve, or the reverse, risks damaging a part that was not the problem.
What it means
Water is still sitting in the cabinet at the end of the programme because it has not drained away. The part you need to reach depends on which generation of machine you have, and the two are not the same.
Most likely causes
Ordered from most to least common, with what each one looks like:
| Cause | How likely | What you would see |
|---|---|---|
| On machines up to the G 6000 range, the non-return valve in the base has become fouled and is holding water back | high | The machine predates the 2019 ranges and there is standing water covering the base filter |
| On G 7000 machines and 2019-onward G 5000 Discovery models, debris has collected under the drain pump cover | high | The machine has a text display that spells out the fault in words rather than showing a bare number |
| The outlet hose is kinked or pinched where the machine sits back in its housing | medium | The appliance was moved or refitted shortly before the fault started |
| The waste connection the machine shares has become blocked further down the pipe | low | The sink alongside is also slow to clear or gurgles as it empties |
Fix steps
Tools needed
- Gloves
- Torch
- Shallow jug
-
Switch the appliance off and disconnect it from the electricity supply before opening anything in the base.
Expected result The machine is dead and the pump cannot run while your hands are inside it.
-
Work out which generation you have, because this decides what you open next. A G 7000 machine, or a G 5000 Discovery from 2019 onward, has a drain pump cover. Earlier G 1000 to G 6000 machines have a non-return valve instead.
Expected result You know which of the two components you are looking for before you start lifting things out.
-
Ladle the standing water out until the base is clear enough to see and work in.
Expected result The filter area is exposed and no longer under water.
-
Lift out the filter assembly, then release the component identified in step two and inspect the cavity beneath it by torchlight, wearing gloves.
Expected result You can see into the chamber and identify anything lodged there.
-
Remove every fragment you find, rinse the component itself, and refit it the way it came out so it seats properly.
Expected result The chamber is clear and the part is secure rather than resting loose.
-
Trace the outlet hose behind the appliance and free any kink or trapped section.
Expected result The hose runs without flattened or twisted lengths.
-
Replace the filters, reconnect the power and run a short programme through to completion.
Expected result The machine empties itself properly and the fault does not return.
Parts needed
| Part | Part number | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Non-return valve | Varies by model | Varies by supplier |
| Drain pump cover | Varies by model | Varies by supplier |
When to call a technician
Call a qualified technician if you work through every step above and the code comes back, if you find water where it should not be, or if any part of the job needs the machine powered up with panels removed. A repeat fault after a correct repair usually points at the control board rather than the part you replaced.
Common questions
What does F11 mean on a Miele dishwasher?
Water is still sitting in the cabinet at the end of the programme because it has not drained away. The part you need to reach depends on which generation of machine you have, and the two are not the same. On machines up to the G 6000 range, the non-return valve in the base has become fouled and is holding water back is the most common reason for it.
Can I keep using the dishwasher?
No. Stop using the machine until the fault is resolved, because running it in this state risks further damage or a water leak.
Is this something I can fix myself?
Partly. The first checks are straightforward, but the later ones need gloves, torch and shallow jug and some confidence taking panels off. Budget about 35 minutes.
Models this applies to
- G 1000 All codes for this model
- G 4000 All codes for this model
- G 5000 All codes for this model
- G 6000 All codes for this model
- G 7000 All codes for this model
Related codes on the same machines
- F12 Not enough water is reaching the appliance, so it stops rather than running a programme it cannot fill.
- F52 So much foam has built up inside that the appliance has interrupted the programme.
- F70 The waterproof protection system has detected water escaping inside the appliance and has shut it down.
- F86 The flap covering the salt reservoir in the door has been left open.