Miele F70 fault codewhat it means and how to fix it
The Waterproof System has activated. Miele give the clearest emergency instruction of any dishwasher manufacturer — close the stopcock, switch off, unplug, call.
Stop — this needs an engineer
Get a qualified appliance engineer to look at your Miele F70
We do not pass enquiries to a repair firm, so there is no form here. When you book a qualified appliance engineer, tell them the make, the model and the exact code or message on the display, and ask whether they carry parts for this make — that is what turns one visit into a repair rather than a quote.
What F70 means
F70 is the code for Miele’s Waterproof System, and it is the only Waterproof System article in their entire dishwasher index. Their instruction is worth reading in full because it is the best-written leak instruction of any brand covered on this site: the Waterproof System has been activated, the current programme is cancelled and the drain pump switches on, close the stopcock, switch the dishwasher off, disconnect the mains plug, the drain pump will stop running, contact Miele Customer Service.
Notice what that sequence tells you. The drain pump running is not a fault developing — it is the machine actively pumping out to protect you, and Miele explain that it stops once you disconnect the power, so an owner who unplugs it and hears the noise cease knows the system worked rather than that something broke. That is a small piece of writing that prevents a lot of panic. Notice also the order on that page: stopcock first, then power. Water is what does the damage, and it keeps arriving whether or not the appliance has electricity.
Miele’s current manual lists the same three actions for its Waterproof message the other way round — switch off, turn off the tap, call Miele — so the order matters less than doing both within the same minute. Miele’s clarity here makes a useful contrast with some other brands. LG’s manual gives their leak code no isolation instruction at all (their online guide does at least say to unplug it), and one Samsung support page suggests taping a leaking hose. Miele tell you to shut everything off and stop.
What causes it
| Cause | What is actually happening | How likely |
|---|---|---|
| Internal hose or connection leaking | Water escaping inside the cabinet and reaching the base, where the Waterproof System detects it. Common and often a modest repair. | Common |
| Door seal failed | A perished seal letting water run down inside the door and collect underneath rather than escaping visibly. | Occasional |
| Sump or tub leaking | A split or failed seal at the bottom of the machine. The more serious end, and it has to be found before it can be priced. | Occasional |
| Heavy foaming overflowing the tub | Washing-up liquid produces enough foam to escape the tub. Miele have a separate code for detected foam, F52, but severe cases can reach the base and trigger this instead. | Occasional |
Can you fix it yourself?
Stop — this needs an engineer
What it costs to fix
Typical repair cost
£120–£350
Miele parts and labour sit above the market average, which is part of what you pay for with the brand. Expect £120 to £220 for a hose or seal repair and considerably more for sump or tub work.
Typical UK prices including parts and labour, updated September 2026. Your quote may differ.
Own this appliance and had this code? . Nothing is published until a person has read it.
Related Miele fault codes
- F11Get it checkedWater left standing in the cabinet because the machine cannot drain. Miele treat this as an owner job and walk you through the drain pump.Related: same brand
- F12Get it checkedThe water inlet is blocked or restricted. Miele use the same wording for F13 and F15, give F173 the same filter procedure, and warn that the hose connection houses an electrical valve.Related: same brand
- F69Get it checkedThe circulation pump is blocked. Miele distinguish this from a pump fault, and a blockage is yours to clear.Related: same brand
- F52Usually simple to fixA sensor has detected too much foam and stopped the programme. Nothing is broken — the machine is protecting itself from suds.Related: same brand
- F86Usually simple to fixThe salt reservoir flap in the door is not closed. On Miele machines with the salt container in the inner door, a lid left open after a refill stops the programme. Ten seconds to fix.Related: same brand
Own a Miele dishwasher? Save it and its codes come first next time.
Related guides
Common questions about Miele F70
What exactly should I do, in order?
Miele’s own sequence: close the stopcock, switch the dishwasher off, disconnect the mains plug, then contact Miele Customer Service. Water first, power second. The stopcock matters most because water keeps arriving regardless of whether the machine has electricity.
The pump is running constantly. Is that the fault?
No, that is the protection working. Miele explain that when the Waterproof System activates, the programme is cancelled and the drain pump switches on. They also tell you it will stop once you disconnect the mains plug, so the noise ending when you unplug it is confirmation the system behaved correctly.
Can I drain the base tray and carry on?
No. Whatever put water in the base is still there, and emptying the tray only removes the warning. Miele’s instruction is to isolate the machine and call them, and on this code they are unambiguous about it.
There is no water on the floor. Does that mean it is a false alarm?
Not usually. The system is designed to catch water inside the machine before it reaches your kitchen, and a dishwasher sits sealed under a worktop where a leak is invisible for a long time. A dry floor means it caught it.
Technical review
Not reviewed by an engineer
No engineer has read this page. Severity follows what the manufacturer publishes, and we would rather tell you that than let a byline imply a sign-off.
Sources and how we verified this
We establish the facts from the sources below and then write the explanation ourselves. We do not copy manufacturer wording and we do not host their manuals.
- Manufacturer support portal
This page has not been reviewed by an engineer, and we would rather tell you that than imply otherwise. The severity rating follows what the manufacturer publishes: where they say isolate the appliance and call someone, so do we.