Inlet/Drain light is on. I have cleaned the drain pump and non-return valve, rinsed under water, removes all foriegn objects, turned the drain pump impeller (which turns freely) and carefully replaced the non-return valve and secured it with the locking clamp. I tried turning off the dishwasher and teuned it back on. No warning light shows but as soon as I try the dishwasher on a wash cycle it fails to pump water into the machine and release the washing tablet door. The programme unit makes a noise as it always did but usually this was followed quickly by the sound of water entering the machine and then the tablet door opening. This is not happening. I have repeated the cleaning of all elements but get the same result each time. Any ideas?!

There are a few things you can check. First set the washer cycle to Stop and turn off the unit. Next make sure that the stopcock on the inlet valve is fully open. Then close the stopcock/valve and disconnect the inlet hose. Remove the seal and then the filter (use pliers). Clean this inlet filter with running water. Replace the filter and seal and reconnect the hose to your inlet valve. Reopen the valve (check for leaks from threading problems). Make sure the valve is fully open when you try to restart the dishwasher. Check your incoming water pressure at this valve as well - low water pressure will also trigger the inlet error. Make sure the hose is not kinked.

If the washer did any parts of the wash cycle, then try cleaning the outlet side of the system.
Next clean the combination filter, drain pump and non-return valve. For the filter (near the lower spray arm), turn the handle counter-clockwise. Lift the filter out and remove all debris. Rinse under running water and use a nylon bristle brush to get stubborn stuff out. Pull back the yellow clip and open the filter flap. Clean the underside of the filter with running water again.

Remove the water from the cabinet with any container that works. Raise the locking clamp for the non-return valve. Lift up the valve and clean it under running water. Carefully check the drain pump (now visible with the non-return valve out) and remove any debris. Sharp objects may be present. Move the impellers and completely check the pump for foreign objects and remove them. Replace the non-return valve and secure it with the locking clamp. Replace the combination filter so that it lays flat and secure it with the handle. Make sure that the drain hose is not kinked.

If neither of these solve the problem, you need to call for service. The Waterproof safety system has been triggered and water got into the electrical system of the unit.

Many Miele appliance manuals are here: http://www.miele.co.uk/customer/OperatingInstructions.aspx . The manual for the Miele G641 is here: http://www.miele.co.uk/Resources/OperatingInstructions/G%20641%20and%20G%20841%20Plus.pdf . See this manual for pictures of the filters and drain pump area.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

Hello fellow DIY'ers,
Have just had the red light drain/inlet error terror!
Tried all the basics, including:
- check and clean inlet hose filter,
- check and clean drain hose,
- remove and clean all the filters in the bottom, and
-remove and clean the non-return valve.
Still was left with water in the bottom at the end of the wash and the red light drain/inlet error.
After researching further I found that this light also indicates a flooded unit. There in a shallow pan in the base plate and if water collects there it activates a float switch, stops the wash, and lights up the drain/inlet error.

To fix it:
- Disconnect power, water and drainage.
- Pull out your dishwasher, suction/remove all the water from the bottom. This includes the water in the salt reservoir, the drain pump and non-return valve.
- Tip the dishwasher onto its back.
- Remove the four star head screws (sometimes a small flat blade screwdriver will fit these) from the base plate.
- Remove and inspect the base plate. It won't have any water in it as you've just tipped it up. But you will see if it's wet and any staining where the water has sat. It only takes a small amount of water to activate the switch.
- Clean and dry the base plate.
- Have a good look around for leaks in the base of the unit. There was none in mine. Our dishwasher is a snug fit under the bench and we had been doing 2-3 washes per day for several humid weeks leading up to this problem. I believe the water builds up over time and doesn't get a chance to evaporate.
- Put it all back together again and test it.
- If it works, go buy yourself/your family dinner because you just saved yourself about $420!

Regards,

DIYTom

f11 error code says in the manual
Drainage fault
Water present in appliance and is not being drained off. The display shows

Drain fault F11. The buzzer is activated for 2 minutes.

Background information:
After each drain pump step, the circulation pump operates for 2 seconds and heater pressure switch B1/13 checks the water level. If it is too high (large quantity of residual water remaining in the cabinet), the drainage time is extended. If, after a further check, the water level is still too high, then the program is interrupted, the fault code is saved and the drain pump is activated. Fault code F11 is also registered if heater relay 1K1 is not activated after the fault code F51 register check; see Section 080-3.18. Drain hose kinked. Remedy: Check the drain hose for correct positioning. Cause: Drain blocked.

Remedy:

1. Clean the on-site drain.
2. Check the sump drain.
3. Check the filters.
4. Check the heater pressure switch and replace it if necessary.

Cause:
Ball in non-return valve in sump has not opened (e.g., jammed).

Remedy:
Clean the non-return valve in the sump or replace it if necessary. Cause: Foreign objects in the drain pump.

Remedy:
Clean the drain pump and its impeller.

Cause:
Drain pump defective.

Remedy:

1. Check the voltage supply to the drain pump.
2. If correct voltage is present, check the drain pump motor winding.
3. Replace the drain pump, if necessary.

Cause:
Foreign objects in heater pressure switch.

Remedy:
Check the heater pressure switch for blockages and correct switching point.

Cause:
Heater relay defective. Heater relay (coil or contacts) becomes defective during the drainage step (after fault code F51 register check).

Remedy:
Replace the heater relay.
this is usually caused by a blockage in the drain but can also occur from other circumstances as listed above you can also see this at this link as well http://appliancehelponline.com/miele.html
if you have any further questions message me back and please also remember when our chat has fully concluded to rank how this opinion has helped in your appliance situation it allows me to continue helping others in similar situations in the future Thanks again Rick

F11 - Drainage fault

This code means that water present in appliance and is not being drained off. The display shows Drain fault F11. The buzzer is activated for 2 minutes.

Background information:
After each drain pump step, the circulation pump operates for 2 seconds and heater pressure switch B1/13 checks the water level. If it is too high (large quantity of residual water remaining in the cabinet), the drainage time is extended. If, after a further check, the water level is still too high, then the program is interrupted, the fault code is saved and the drain pump is activated. Fault code F11 is also registered if heater relay 1K1 is not activated after the fault code F51 register check; see Section 080-3.18. Drain hose kinked. Remedy: Check the drain hose for correct positioning.

Cause: Drain blocked.
Remedy:
1. Clean the on-site drain.
2. Check the sump drain.
3. Check the filters.
4. Check the heater pressure switch and replace it if necessary.

Cause:
Ball in non-return valve in sump has not opened (e.g., jammed).
Remedy:
Clean the non-return valve in the sump or replace it if necessary. Cause: Foreign objects in the drain pump.

Remedy:
Clean the drain pump and its impeller.

Cause:
Drain pump defective.
Remedy:
1. Check the voltage supply to the drain pump.
2. If correct voltage is present, check the drain pump motor winding.
3. Replace the drain pump, if necessary.

Cause:
Foreign objects in heater pressure switch.
Remedy:
Check the heater pressure switch for blockages and correct switching point.

Cause:
Heater relay defective. Heater relay (coil or contacts) becomes defective during the drainage step (after fault code F51 register check).
Remedy:
Replace the heater relay.

In other cases, owners found a piece of wood inside the door latch mechanism and removed it. The F11 error has not appeared since.

Hope ths helps.

Hi Jennyglopez..I do not think your pump is the issue,however you can make this checks.1-Take the filter combination out of the wash cabinet 2-Scoop the water out of the cabinet using a suitable container 3-Press the catch for the non-return valve inwards 4-Lift out the non-return valve and rinse well under running water.5-Remove all foreign objects from then on-return valve and drain pump 6-Carefully replace the non-return valve and secure it with the catch.Ensure that the catch engages correctly.You can also check drain hose &remove any kink in the drainhose.where the drain hose engages under the sink sometime gets clogged.Disengage the pipe & make sure hole in the drainage not clogged.Thanks & goodluck

I tried the one below on this site (ie run briefly without the non return valve in place, didn't see objects but perhaps loosened something). So I hope it can help you. Best wishes.
Best Solutionposted on Mar 02, 2010
taurustech
Rank: Guru Expert
Rating: 92%, 65 votes
Hi,

Sounds like something is caught in th drain pump as the unit has to drain first before anything else happens. Remove the filter and the non return valve which is under the clip in the sump of the unit. In the manual it shows you this. Make sure the drain pump is free of any foreign particles like broken glass. Then start the unit again so it goes to drain without the non return valve in place. This will then throw out any foreign particles as well.

or it could be the drain pump is activated all the time which is the noise you hear as there is a flood in the base of the unit which activates the float switch and constantly activates the drain pump until the water has gone. Isolate the unit at the power switch and remove the bottom panel under the door panel. Dry up the water as best possible with a towel. You will see the float at the front. Run the unit again and check for any water leaks. You may just have over sudded the unit with too much detergent. Only use 2 teaspoons of powder. To start with while testing don't use any detergent. Good luck

Hi,

Sounds like something is caught in th drain pump as the unit has to drain first before anything else happens. Remove the filter and the non return valve which is under the clip in the sump of the unit. In the manual it shows you this. Make sure the drain pump is free of any foreign particles like broken glass. Then start the unit again so it goes to drain without the non return valve in place. This will then throw out any foreign particles as well.

or it could be the drain pump is activated all the time which is the noise you hear as there is a flood in the base of the unit which activates the float switch and constantly activates the drain pump until the water has gone. Isolate the unit at the power switch and remove the bottom panel under the door panel. Dry up the water as best possible with a towel. You will see the float at the front. Run the unit again and check for any water leaks. You may just have over sudded the unit with too much detergent. Only use 2 teaspoons of powder. To start with while testing don't use any detergent. Good luck

at the bottom left corner their is a manual draining system maybe you need to use that with a bucket.
thats all i can think of unless it still has warranty just trade it in.

I cleaned out the drain pump and non-return valve on my Miele G658/858 and that fixed the problem. The G841 may have similar parts. It's easy to do. In order: 1. Turn off washer. 2. Remove the triple filter (the basket on the bottom of washer with the little handle. Turn the handle and remove) rinse out and set-aside. 3. Remove the standing water. I used a wet vac to remove the standing water from the bottom of the machine, but you can scoop it out also. 4. Tilt the locking clamp (tilt left) to the side. (this is a metal wire covering the white plastic valve. This valve is to the right of the triple filter basket.) 5. Pull out the non-return valve and rise will under running water. You may have to wiggle the valve a little. Pull straight up and out. 6. The drain pump is beneath the non-return valve. (it has a little plastic propeller, like a paddle wheel, inside) 7. Spin the propeller several times in both directions to make sure it's clear. ( I used the shop vac with a small hose attachment to clear the drain above the propeller compartment) 8. Carefully refit the non-return valve and secure it with the locking clamp. 9. Refit and lock the filter in place.
I haven't had a problem since and my dished are much cleaner- The problem must have been coming on for a long time.
Hope this helps,
Susan

I have the same problem on a Miele G647 SC Plus. It starts and completes the wash cycle, might skip a final rinse - not sure, but it drains the water. Pump then continues to run for extended period then inlet/outlet light comes on. The dishwasher never moves to the drying cycle.

I cleaned all filters, checked supply/drain hoses + the non return valve. All seemed servicable. But no real improvement in fault.

Any way I can fix this?