Miele F37 fault codewhat it means and how to fix it
The machine is not standing level, or the drain hose is too high. On some models this shows at the end of a cycle because Pre-ironing could not run.
Before you start
What F37 means
Miele publish F37 as the washing machine not being aligned correctly, with two things to check: that it is standing level, and that the drain hose is not connected too high, with the maximum delivery head again given as one metre.
The operating instructions for segment-display machines put it slightly differently and more usefully — there it appears at the end of a programme and means the Pre-ironing extra could not be carried out properly, with the same two checks, and Miele add that the machine can still be used, just without Pre-ironing. Both readings point at the same underlying thing. Pre-ironing works by tumbling the load in a controlled way at the end of the cycle, and that only works if the machine is sitting square and the drum can be moved predictably.
A machine standing on an uneven floor, or with one foot not locked, rocks slightly under load and the routine cannot do its job. This is one of the few codes where the fix is genuinely a spanner and a spirit level. Miele machines are heavy and their feet lock with a nut against the casing; a foot that has been wound out and not locked will wander loose over a few months of spinning.
What causes it
| Cause | What is actually happening | How likely |
|---|---|---|
| Machine not level | Miele’s first stated cause. Check with a spirit level across the top in both directions. | Common |
| Feet not locked against the casing | The locknuts have to be tightened up against the body. An unlocked foot works loose over months of spinning. | Common |
| Drain hose connected too high | Miele name it alongside levelling, with the maximum delivery head given as one metre. | Occasional |
What to try yourself
Put a spirit level across the top of the machine, front to back and side to side.
Push down on each top corner in turn. If the machine rocks at all, a foot is not carrying its share.
Adjust the feet until it sits solid and level, then tighten the locknuts up against the casing.
The locknut is the part people forget. An unlocked foot undoes itself over a few months of spinning and the problem comes back.Measure the highest point of the drain hose. Miele want it no more than one metre above the floor.
Run a cycle. If the code was about Pre-ironing, note that Miele say the machine is usable in the meantime, just without that extra.
Get a qualified appliance engineer to look at your Miele F37
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 it costs to fix
Typical repair cost
£0
Time on site
25 minutes
Nothing. A spirit level and a spanner. Both checks Miele name are adjustments rather than repairs.
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
- F56Usually simple to fixThe final spin never got above 400 revolutions per minute. Miele blame excess foam, and the remedy is detergent dosage.Related: drum balance and spin
- F11Get it checkedThe drain is restricted. Miele publish a maximum drain height of one metre, and they warn that straightening a kinked hose can weaken it enough to split later.Related: same brand
- F10Get it checkedWater is not getting in. Miele point at the stopcock and the inlet filter, and both are owner jobs on their own guidance.Related: same brand
- F34Get it checkedThe door could not be locked. Miele’s manual says close the door again and restart; their website adds an overloaded drum and a two-minute power-off. Try those before calling.Related: same brand
- F20Get it checkedMiele publish two readings of F20: the Thermostop pausing the programme until the water is at temperature, which is not a fault, and a genuine heating fault with a two-minute power-off before booking.Related: same brand
- F138Get it checkedThe Waterproof system has found water in the floor tray. Close the stopcock and unplug — the drain pump keeps running until you do.Related: same brand
Own a Miele washing machine? Save it and its codes come first next time.
Related guides
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
- Manufacturer technical and service documentation
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.