What F138 Means
F138 on Miele washing machines and washer-dryers means the control board has detected water inside the machine's base pan and has triggered the Waterproof System — Miele's built-in leak-protection safeguard that shuts the machine down to prevent water damage to your home. This is a leak-detection response, not a wash-performance issue like a dispenser or drainage fault.
Common Causes of F138
- A failed door seal, hose connection, or internal fitting letting water reach the base pan
- A worn or cracked drum bearing seal allowing wash water to leak internally
- A supply or drain hose that has worked loose or developed a slow leak over time
- A faulty base-pan sensor giving a false leak reading
🔧 One Safe Check You Can Try
Turn off the machine's water supply and unplug it, then check the floor around and underneath the machine for visible water. Don't run another cycle until a technician has confirmed there's no active leak — restarting the machine risks further water damage and doesn't address why the Waterproof System tripped.
⚠ Why You Shouldn't Go Further Than That
- Confirming whether this is a genuine leak or a faulty sensor means opening the base of the machine, close to live electrical and water connections.
- If it is a real leak, continuing to run cycles risks water damage to your home's flooring and subfloor.
- The Waterproof System is a safety feature working as designed — repeatedly restarting the cycle to clear the code defeats the protection it's built to provide.
Opening a panel to inspect or repair something yourself doesn't automatically cancel your manufacturer's warranty — but it can risk accidental damage, and some manufacturers do have specific service conditions. Check your product's warranty terms, or ask us, before deciding.