Miele's manual is short on the sounds of the W1 but specific: unusual sounds from the drain pump are no fault, because lapping sounds at the beginning and end of the drain process are normal. Grinding, rattling or clicking is more likely a foreign object: the drain filter and pump can catch buttons and coins, and Miele says to turn the impellers by hand to check they rotate freely after cleaning the filter. Shaking during the spin is four feet not resting evenly, and a washer moved or delivered without removing the shipping struts can be damaged and noisy.
Differential
Likely causes of “Miele W1 WXF980 washer makes grinding, squealing, clicking or banging noises”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Normal drain pump sounds
What separates it There is lapping at the start and end of draining because these are normal drain pump sounds
How to confirm No action; Miele says there is no fault
- 2
Foreign objects at the drain pump
What separates it There is rattling or grinding while draining because foreign objects are at the drain pump
How to confirm Clean the drain filter and pump and check the impellers turn freely
- 3
The four feet not resting evenly
What separates it There is shaking and noise in the spin because the four feet are not resting evenly
How to confirm Level the machine with the four adjustable feet and tighten the counter nuts
- 4
Shipping struts still fitted
What separates it There is heavy vibration from first use because the shipping struts are still fitted
How to confirm Remove the shipping struts, as the installation section describes
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- What the noise is and at what stage
- Whether the shipping struts were removed after delivery
- Whether the machine is level on the floor
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedListen for normal sounds
ReversibleListen for normal sounds, since lapping at the start and end of the drain is normal.
Clean the drain filter
ReversibleOpen the flap, drain the water into a container, remove the filter and clear objects; turn the impellers by hand.
Level the machine
ReversibleUse a spirit level; hold the foot with a pipe wrench and turn the counter nut until it sits firmly against the housing.
Check the struts
ReversibleCheck the struts, and confirm that the two shipping struts were removed and the holes covered.
Call service if it persists
ReversibleCall service if it persists, and give them the model and the serial number, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Floors and vibration
- Miele says a concrete floor is the most suitable installation surface, far less prone to vibration in the spin than wooden floorboards or carpet, and that on a wooden joist floor the machine should sit on a 2 ft x 2 ft x 1 3/16 in plywood base anchored to the joists. It also recommends installing in a corner, usually the most stable part of the floor.
- Leveling procedure
- Use a spirit level, hold foot 1 with a pipe wrench and turn counter nut 2 with the wrench supplied until it sits against the housing; then adjust and lock. All four counter nuts must be tight against the housing, including the feet that needed no adjustment, or the machine can move about.
- Miele parts for this problem, part numbers and prices
- For a noisy drain pump area Miele's own shop lists the drain pump DPS25-375, part number 10908780, at $92.00 (the 220-240 V version, so match voltage and model), the filter insert, part number 4731981, at $36.00 and the foot M10x34 mm, part number 304595, at $30.00 (prices change). Clean the filter and check the impellers turn before buying a pump.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the W1 WXR960 washer.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the noise continues after cleaning the drain filter and levelling, contact Miele Technical Service
- !If the pump impellers do not turn freely, call service
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Miele's own manual lookup for the US, where the WXF and WXR W1 instructions are listed by model.
Miele's own US spare-parts shop, prices and part numbers; prices change.
Exact questions
Common questions
Is lapping from the drain pump normal?+
Yes; Miele says lapping sounds at the beginning and end of the drain process are not a fault.
Why does my Miele shake?+
The four feet are not resting evenly on the floor; level the machine.
What are shipping struts?+
Two struts fitted for transport that must be removed before use; they are stored on the back for a future move.
Which floor is best?+
Concrete is the most suitable; wooden floors need a plywood base to reduce vibration.
How do I check the pump?+
Remove the drain filter and turn the impellers by hand.
Where do I level?+
Adjust all four feet and tighten the counter nuts firmly.