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Miele Dishwasher Draining/Filing Problems

After a few years of use, I noticed that my Miele dishwasher wasn’t working quite as well as it did before.

As a general rule, You can trace Miele dishwasher draining and filling problems to failed non-return valves, circulation pump failures, or broken intake valves. Food and other debris clog impellers and non-return valves that aren’t caught by the filter basket. Repairs are usually quick and easy.

Modern dishwasher in the kitchen

If you have average DIY skills, you can fix most Miele dishwasher draining/filing problems that plague older dishwashers.

Miele Dishwasher Not Draining

Man putting plates in the dishwasher

When your Miele dishwasher isn’t draining, then it is most likely a problem with the impeller.

To fix the problem, you have to remove the spray arm. Once the spray is out of the way, you can gain access to the filter basket.

Turn the filter basket arm a ¼ turn counter-clockwise and remove it. You’ll see the non-return valve and below it, is the drain impeller that gets stuck. Pry the spring clip off and pull the valve out. Remove any debris that prevents the impeller from moving and give it a turn with your finger.

The valve assembly is a little difficult to remove, so you need to lever it out gently without damaging it.

There’s a large ball bearing that moves up and down inside the non-return valve. Some food or other debris could get stuck inside. In that case, remove any debris and you’ll most likely solve the draining problem.

You should be able to turn the impeller with your finger, though it does not spin freely. A motor drives the impeller, so the magnets will provide some resistance to your finger pressure. It should hop forward as you apply pressure with the next magnet offering a little resistance as the impeller moves round.

Often a piece of broken glass or porcelain gets stuck between the impeller blades and the sides of the sump. Carefully remove it, being sure to avoid cutting the tips of your fingers.

Miele Dishwasher Not Draining at End of Cycle

Modern dishwasher in the kitchen

You will occasionally find that water pools at the bottom of your dishwasher. While a little water in the sump is normal once the cycle completes, a large quantity of water is an indication of a blockage.

After removing the spray arm, reach in and remove the filter basket. At the bottom of the sump, there’s a non-return valve. Pull it out and check that the ball bearing inside moves freely. If not, remove any debris and reinstall the valve. Also, check that the impeller turns with some resistance.

The filter basket does not always catch all the remaining food on dirty dishes.

Larger chunks usually get caught but smaller items like pips and small pieces of bone can sometimes bypass the filter and become stuck in the non-return valve or between the impeller blades and the side of the sump.

The non-return valve comes apart easily and has a rubber grommet that holds the ball bearing in place. A spring clip holds the valve in place. You must prize it off with a screwdriver to allow you to remove the valve.

You can use your finger to remove the rubber grommet. Then remove the ball bearing and any debris that is clogging it inside. It is a good idea to check the impeller at the same time as there may be an obstruction stopping it from turning.

Miele Dishwasher Keeps Draining

Man putting plates in the dishwasher

Miele dishwashers have a bad habit of draining before you’ve selected a cleaning cycle, as soon as you turn them on.

This usually indicates that the lower tray has flooded. It may also happen when you select a cycle and the dishwasher drains beyond the time that you would expect, normally only a minute or two.

When opening the dishwasher, you find that the intake drain light illuminates or it may flash.

To stop a Miele dishwasher from continually draining, you need to check the non-return valve inside the sump. Remove the spray arm and filter basket and then pry off the spring clip holding the non-return valve. Clean out the valve by removing the rubber grommet holding the ball bearing inside.

The non-return valve comes apart in two pieces. You can use your hands to wiggle and twist it open. Remove any food particles or debris which may prevent the ball from moving freely inside the housing.

If the ball jams up inside the valve, wastewater will run back inside the dishwasher as soon as the pump stops. This floods the bottom tray, causing the machine to keep draining.

The rubber grommet that holds the ball bearing in place is easily removed with your fingers. This allows the ball bearing to slide out of the valve housing, providing access to the inside.

When you put the valve back together, make sure that you line up the two pieces with the little ridge that locks into place. You’ll hear a click as the two pieces lock together.

If the problem is still not fixed, then the cause of water leaking back into the sump may be due to a worn seal inside the impeller housing. This is a little more difficult to replace, so you may need a technician to come out and replace it for you.

Correctly Position Your Drain Hose

If your drain hose isn’t connected correctly, then dirty water from your sink or garbage disposal may run back down the pipe.

The drain hose connection must incorporate an arch that is higher than the sink connection. This prevents the water from running back down the pipe by providing an uphill section along which the water cannot run.

How to Drain the Lower Tray Safely

The lower tray may still have a quantity of water in it which activates the drain via a Styrofoam float and microswitch.

To sort this out, you must remove the kick plate at the bottom of the dishwasher. This gives you access to another plate held in place with a couple of Phillips head screws.

Remove the plate by lifting it up and out. Before going any further, remember to unplug the dishwasher as you will be removing water close to electrical wiring.

Once the plate is out of the way, you can use a sponge to soak up any water that is lying in the lower tray.

If you’ve sorted out the drain valve and water is still finding its way into the bottom tray, then you could have a leaky intake valve. If that is the case, then you must replace the valve.

Switch off the water to your dishwater at the main supply. Otherwise, the water will continue to flow into the tray until you fix the problem. The water could then overflow the tray and damage your floor..

Miele Dishwasher Noisy Drain Pump

Modern dishwasher in the kitchen

A noisy drain pump is hard to miss on your dishwasher and it usually means it needs replacing.

Apart from the noise, you’ll find that the water doesn’t circulate very well.

To fix a noisy Miele dishwasher drain pump, you need a partition kit. After removing the dishwasher from its cabinet, drain the sump and turn it on its side. Remove the drip plate and then disconnect and remove the pump. Replace the impeller, O-rings, and seals. Put it back together and you’re done.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on March 30, 2022.

When removing the pump, be careful not to damage the hoses as they become brittle with age. Replacements are not part of the pump partition kit.

Miele Dishwasher Not Filling With Water

Tired man sitting on the floor behind the dishwasher

When your Miele dishwasher doesn’t fill with water, it is usually accompanied by repeated beeping sounds.

After selecting your cycle and closing the door, the dishwasher drains for a minute or two and then starts to beep instead of filling with water.

To fix a Miele dishwasher when it’s not filling with water, you need to locate the fill valve. Turn the water and power off and remove the dishwasher from the cabinet. Remove the fill valve from the hose. Some fill valves are beneath the sink so there’s no need to move the dishwasher.

The fill valve usually fails after 8 or 9 years of use. You should also check the filter while you have the hose off as it can get blocked up after so long.

Generic valves are much cheaper than original valves from Miele and they work just as well.

Miele Dishwasher Keeps Filling With Water

Modern dishwasher in the kitchen

When your dishwasher keeps filling, then it is usually the water valve that is stuck open.

Before replacing the water valve, check to see if the intake drain light is blinking when you select a cycle. You’ll also hear the pump constantly draining water. Locate your fill valve and replace it. You’ll find the valve either behind your dishwasher or beneath the kitchen sink.

Miele Dishwasher Noise When Filling

Man putting plates in the dishwasher

It can be quite disconcerting when you hear grinding sounds coming from your dishwasher when it turns on.

To fix a noisy Miele dishwasher when it’s filling, remove the spray arm and filter basket. Remove the non-return valve and check for debris that may be caught in the impeller. Small bits of food or debris often get stuck between the impeller and the side of the sump, causing a grinding noise.

There are only a few parts that can fail or break in your dishwasher. Blockages are easily cleared and replacement parts and rebuild kits take care of worn-out components.

Failed non-return valves in the sump, circulation pump failures, or stuck intake valves cause Miele dishwasher draining or filling problems. Impellers and non-return valves can become clogged with debris that passes through the filter basket. Cleaning and repairing the problems are usually easy.

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