Finding an inch of water sitting in the bottom of your Miele dishwasher after the cycle finishes is one of the most common service calls we get. Miele dishwashers are engineered for a long service life, so a drainage fault is almost never a sign the machine is failing wholesale — it’s usually one of three specific things.
Start With the Filter Combination
Miele’s coarse-and-fine filter combination, located at the base of the tub, is the single biggest cause of drainage complaints. Food debris and small fragments collect here over time and can eventually trigger a drainage fault code on the display. Twist the filter free per your model’s manual, rinse both stages under running water, and run a short cycle to confirm.
Check the Drain Hose Path
If the filter is clean and water still won’t clear, check the drain hose behind the unit for kinks — this is especially common after a dishwasher has been reinstalled or the cabinet has been worked on recently.
When It’s the Drain Pump
If cleaning the filter doesn’t resolve it, the drain pump itself may be obstructed or failing. This isn’t a job we recommend attempting yourself, since it involves disconnecting water lines in a tight space.
What to Do Next
If the filter and hose both check out clear and water is still pooling, it’s time for a diagnostic visit. Our technicians carry the parts that fail most often on Miele dishwashers, so most drainage repairs are completed in a single visit.