My Miele washing machine won't drain.

It's easy to suspect a drainage problem: your Miele washing machine won't drain and stops with the tank full. This problem is rare, but it can be quite annoying. Several malfunctions and issues can cause drainage problems, so diagnostics can help pinpoint the culprit. We'll explain how to perform diagnostics and what repairs are needed in our step-by-step instructions.

How does the malfunction manifest itself and why did it appear?

It is almost impossible to miss a breakdown in the drainage system. With this malfunction, the Miele washing machine will behave “suspiciously” with many telling “symptoms”. So, something from the list will definitely appear:

• the drain will be very slow, and instead of 2-3 minutes it will stretch to 5 or more;
• software failures will become more frequent – ​​cycle settings will suddenly “fly off”;
• the started wash will stop at the drain and the system will display an error;
• the water will not always drain: sometimes it will go into the sewer, sometimes it will remain in the drum;
• when switching to rinsing, the washing machine will stop;
• After washing, the spin cycle will not start.

Running a Miele with a problematic drain is dangerous – it can cause leaks and short circuits!

Typically, the program takes an unusually long time, or the washing machine stops with the drum full. In the latter case, the situation is complicated by laundry trapped in the drum—without draining, the door won't open for safety reasons. Several factors can cause such problems:

• the pipe going from the tank to the pump is clogged;
• there is a foreign object stuck in the pump;
• the drainage filter is clogged and does not allow water to pass through;
• the pump broke down and stopped pumping water;
• the central drainage system, sewer pipe or siphon is clogged;
• The drain hose is clogged.

The answer to "what to do" is obvious: check all the elements of the drainage system sequentially, cleaning the Miele drain. Modern machines can automatically detect a malfunction: the self-diagnostic program displays an error code on the display. The user then simply deciphers the combination and narrows the troubleshooting field.

The lint filter is clogged

Most often, a clogged debris filter is to blame for a non-functioning drain. Cleaning it is a simple task, and even a novice with no experience can do it themselves. The main thing is to follow the instructions. The first step is to ensure safety: turn off the water supply and unplug the appliance. Then, access the filter.

1. Please pay attention to the lower right corner of the body.
2. We find the false panel, pry it up with a screwdriver and disconnect it from the body.
3. We tilt the machine back, raising the front legs by 4-6 cm.
4. Place a flat container under the filter plug.
5. We put old rags nearby.
6. Slowly unscrew the nozzle, holding onto the protruding part.
7. We wait for the water to drain.
8. We take out the filter completely.

The removed filter must be thoroughly cleaned. First, remove any large debris, then scrape off any remaining dirt and scale with a toothbrush. If the scale layer is particularly thick, soaking the filter attachment in a warm lemon solution for 20-120 minutes is recommended.

Do not wash the waste filter in hot water – high temperatures will cause the plastic to deform!

The filter seat is also essential for cleaning. Use a brush or a dish sponge. After cleaning, replace the filter attachment and reassemble the machine in reverse order.

The pump is out of order

If cleaning the debris filter does not help improve drainage, then you need to continue diagnosing the drainage system - check the pump and impeller. It's better not to stop right after the "garbage dump" but to also evaluate the neighboring elements. Especially if the “cleaning” was done a long time ago.

The impeller and pump are located near the filter. If large debris or a strand of hair gets into the drain, they can jam. As a result, the blades don't spin, and water isn't pumped into the sewer. Check the pump as follows:

• unscrew the drainage filter according to the instructions above;
• We shine a flashlight through the freed filter seat;
• we find the impeller - the blades on the pump;
• We are trying to inspect and spin the blades.

If there's no debris stuck to the impeller and the blades rotate without issue, then the problem isn't caused by a blockage. Otherwise, troubleshooting will involve cleaning the parts. Once cleaning is complete, run a test cycle. If the problem recurs, return to diagnostics.

Repairing the pump and impeller with electrical tape or scotch tape is prohibited – only replacement of parts!

Remove the filter again, then run the "Spin" program on the washing machine and observe the pump's response. If the impeller doesn't spin, the problem has been detected. Pump repair is not cost-effective. It's much cheaper and easier to purchase a replacement pump, buying an original part for $10–$30. The key is to find a reputable supplier and provide the seller with the serial number of your existing Miele.

The new pump must be installed in place of the old one. Remove the faulty unit by disconnecting the wiring, disconnecting the drain hose, and loosening the retaining bolts. Afterwards, we fix the purchased pump in the “nest” and return everything that was previously removed to its proper place. Don't forget to run a test wash. Connect the Miele to the power supply and run an empty cycle. If there are no alarming symptoms, the repair was done properly.

   

1 reader comment

1. February 3, 2024 at 11:31 PM

   Anonymous:

   Good day, my Mile 3240 washing machine lights up during the wash cycle (check the drain), but the water barely drains. Then the machine stops, and the display shows "- - -" (three dashes). If I switch to the drain/spin program, it drains normally, but not completely. A couple of glasses of water remain in the drum. I cleaned the filter (there were three matches). The hose and drain are clean.

   Answer