Fault Code Reference

Miele dishwasher F52 error

Usable, but not working properly

So much foam has built up inside that the appliance has interrupted the programme. Foam stops the spray arms throwing water properly and can work its way out past the door. Washing-up liquid or another hand-wash product has been put in instead of dishwasher detergent is the most common cause.

Difficulty
DIY
Time needed
About 40 min
Checks
6 steps

Before you start

What it means

So much foam has built up inside that the appliance has interrupted the programme. Foam stops the spray arms throwing water properly and can work its way out past the door.

Most likely causes

Ordered from most to least common, with what each one looks like:

Cause How likely What you would see
Washing-up liquid or another hand-wash product has been put in instead of dishwasher detergent high Someone refilled the dispenser in a hurry, and the suds are thick and slow to collapse
Rinse aid has been overdosed, or has been spilled into the cabinet while refilling its reservoir high The rinse aid setting was raised recently, or there was a visible spill around the filler cap
Heavily greasy or protein-rich residue on the load is foaming as it warms, particularly milk and egg medium The load was unusually greasy and went in without any pre-rinse
The detergent dose is simply too large for a soft water supply, so more is used than the water can carry low The area has soft water and the dose has never been reduced from the default

Fix steps

Tools needed

  1. Open the door and let the foam subside before doing anything else, so you can see how much liquid is actually in the cabinet.

    Expected result The suds begin to collapse and the water underneath becomes visible.

  2. Establish exactly which product went into the dispenser. If it was a hand washing-up liquid, that is the whole answer and the rest of the checks are unnecessary.

    Expected result You can say with certainty whether the wrong product caused this. If it does not, go to step 3.

  3. Check the rinse aid filler cap is properly closed and wipe away anything that has spilled around it into the cabinet.

    Expected result The cap is sealed and no rinse aid is sitting loose where the water can pick it up.

  4. Scoop out as much foam as you can with a jug, then wipe the cabinet down with a damp cloth to lift the residue that would otherwise foam again.

    Expected result The cabinet is largely clear of suds rather than merely knocked down.

  5. With the dispenser left completely empty, run a short rinse programme to flush out whatever remains.

    Expected result The rinse finishes without foaming and the water drains away clear. If it does not, go to step 6.

  6. If suds return, repeat the empty rinse once more before using detergent again, and reduce the dose when you do.

    Expected result A rinse completes with no foam, and the next normal programme runs through without interruption.

Parts needed

No replacement parts are needed for the checks above. This fault is usually cleared without fitting anything new.

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 F52 mean on a Miele dishwasher?

So much foam has built up inside that the appliance has interrupted the programme. Foam stops the spray arms throwing water properly and can work its way out past the door. Washing-up liquid or another hand-wash product has been put in instead of dishwasher detergent is the most common reason for it.

Can I keep using the dishwasher?

You can usually still run the machine, but it will not be working correctly and the fault will keep coming back until it is fixed.

Is this something I can fix myself?

Yes, for most people. The checks below need jug and cloth and take about 40 minutes.

Models this applies to

Related codes on the same machines

Sources