Error passportEB / ID
F11
  • Appliances
  • Miele
  • Dishwashers

Miele dishwasher F11: drain fault

Verified with sources2 sourcesReviewed Aug 21, 2026

Risk level

Medium

Proceed carefully and stop if the check is unclear.

Urgency

High

Quick answer

F11 with water left in the wash cabinet means the documented Miele dishwasher has not drained correctly. Disconnect power and identify the family before checking the accessible drain area.

Safety first

Safe checks you can perform

  • Confirm the dishwasher family
  • Disconnect power and remove standing water
  • For G1xxx-G6xxx, clean the non-return valve and pump area
  • For G7xxx/G5xxx Discovery, clean the drain-pump area
  • Refit the family-specific parts and test once

Leave these tasks to a qualified professional

  • Do not attempt this professional task: Diagnose a persistent F11 drain fault

Where this code applies

A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.

Primary scope

System
Appliances
Brand
Miele
Product type
Dishwashers

Known code variants

  • Miele F11
  • Fault F11
  • Error F11 Miele
  • Anomalía F11
  • Miele Fehler F11

What it means

Miele documents F11 as a drain fault on G1xxx-G7xxx dishwashers and G5xxx Discovery models from 2019. G1xxx-G6xxx use a non-return valve procedure while G7xxx and G5xxx Discovery use a separate drain-pump-cover procedure.

Warnings and stop conditions

  • Highsource verified

    Disconnect power before opening the drain area and take particular care because broken glass may be hidden inside the drain pump.

    Evidence: Miele Great Britain dishwasher fault F11 for G1xxx-G6xxx · Miele Great Britain dishwasher fault F11 for G7xxx and G5xxx Discovery

Symptoms and causes

Probable causes · in order

  • Non-return valve not seated correctlyPossible

    For G1xxx-G6xxx dishwashers, Miele lists an incorrectly positioned non-return valve as one cause of F11.

    Evidence: Miele Great Britain dishwasher fault F11 for G1xxx-G6xxx

  • Drain-pump cover not seated correctlyPossible

    For G7xxx and G5xxx Discovery dishwashers from 2019, Miele identifies an incorrectly seated drain-pump cover as a possible cause.

    Evidence: Miele Great Britain dishwasher fault F11 for G7xxx and G5xxx Discovery

  • Drain pump blocked by a foreign objectPossible

    Both Miele family guides identify a blocked drain pump or a foreign object in the pump area as a cause of F11.

    Evidence: Miele Great Britain dishwasher fault F11 for G1xxx-G6xxx · Miele Great Britain dishwasher fault F11 for G7xxx and G5xxx Discovery

Safe checks, step by step

  1. 1

    Confirm the dishwasher family

    No special tools

    Identify whether the dishwasher is G1xxx-G6xxx or G7xxx/G5xxx Discovery before opening the drain area. The two groups use different access parts and refitting steps.

    Do not interchange the non-return-valve procedure with the drain-pump-cover procedure.

    Evidence: Miele Great Britain dishwasher fault F11 for G1xxx-G6xxx · Miele Great Britain dishwasher fault F11 for G7xxx and G5xxx Discovery

  2. 2

    Disconnect power and remove standing water

    No special tools

    Switch the dishwasher off and unplug it. Follow the guide for the identified family: G7xxx/G5xxx Discovery also requires removing the lower spray arm before the filter combination. Scoop standing water out with a small container.

    Keep the appliance disconnected while the drain area is open.

    Evidence: Miele Great Britain dishwasher fault F11 for G1xxx-G6xxx · Miele Great Britain dishwasher fault F11 for G7xxx and G5xxx Discovery

  3. 3

    For G1xxx-G6xxx, clean the non-return valve and pump area

    No special tools

    Release the non-return valve as shown in the matching Miele guide. Rinse the valve and carefully remove only visible foreign objects from the pump area. Check that the impeller can turn without forcing it.

    Broken glass can be difficult to see. Protect your hands and do not probe blindly or dismantle internal parts.

    Evidence: Miele Great Britain dishwasher fault F11 for G1xxx-G6xxx

  4. 4

    For G7xxx/G5xxx Discovery, clean the drain-pump area

    No special tools

    Follow the newer-family guide to release the drain-pump cover, remove only visible foreign objects and check the impeller without forcing it. Refit the cover in the documented position.

    Broken glass can be difficult to see. Protect your hands and do not probe blindly or dismantle internal parts.

    Evidence: Miele Great Britain dishwasher fault F11 for G7xxx and G5xxx Discovery

  5. 5

    Refit the family-specific parts and test once

    No special tools

    Refit the valve or pump cover exactly as shown for the identified family, then reinstall the filters and any removed spray arm. Run one wash programme to check whether the water is pumped away.

    Stop the test if water leaks or the pump makes an abnormal mechanical noise.

    Evidence: Miele Great Britain dishwasher fault F11 for G1xxx-G6xxx · Miele Great Britain dishwasher fault F11 for G7xxx and G5xxx Discovery

Virtual technician

Does F11 still appear after these checks?

Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.

For professionals only

  • Diagnose a persistent F11 drain faultverified

    Miele Customer Service or a qualified appliance technician should inspect the drainage system when F11 returns after the documented accessible cleaning.

    Why: The official guide directs persistent faults to Miele service rather than further user disassembly.

    Evidence: Miele Great Britain dishwasher fault F11 for G1xxx-G6xxx · Miele Great Britain dishwasher fault F11 for G7xxx and G5xxx Discovery

Sources and technical references

Sources: Miele Great Britain dishwasher fault F11 for G1xxx-G6xxx · Miele Great Britain dishwasher fault F11 for G7xxx and G5xxx Discoveryreviewed 2026-08-21 · verified

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