If a Miele W1 does not drain, the display shows Drainage with the explanation that the drain is blocked or restricted or the drain hose has been fixed too high. The fix in Miele's manual: clean the filter and the pump, and keep the maximum drain height at 39 in (1 m). When the drain is faulty the pump is activated for 2 minutes and then the door is released, so wait for the pump to stop before switching the machine off. To open the door with water in the drum use the emergency release: switch the washer off, place a container under the drain pump flap, open it, slowly unscrew the filter to let the water out, then clear buttons and coins and check the impellers turn.
Differential
Likely causes of “Miele W1 WXF980 washer will not drain or stops with water inside”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A blocked drain filter or pump
What separates it The Drainage message and water left in the drum
How to confirm Clean the drain filter and the pump, as the manual describes
- 2
A drain hose fixed too high
What separates it The pump cannot lift the water because the drain hose is fixed too high
How to confirm Lower it; the maximum delivery height is 39 in (1 m)
- 3
A blocked house drain
What separates it Water backs up at the standpipe because the house drain is blocked
How to confirm Clear the standpipe, or call a plumber if the house drain is blocked
- 4
Foreign objects in the pump
What separates it There is a rattle and a slow drain because foreign objects are in the pump
How to confirm Remove buttons and coins and check the impellers turn freely
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The message that is shown on the display
- Whether water remains in the drum
- How the drain hose is set up
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedLet the pump finish
ReversibleThe drain pump runs for 2 minutes and then the door is released; wait for the pump to stop before switching off.
Open the flap
ReversibleSwitch off, put a container under the drain pump flap, open it and pull out the drain filter partly.
Drain and clean
ReversibleUnscrew the filter slowly, tighten it to pause the flow, then remove it completely, clean it and clear foreign objects.
Check the impellers
ReversibleCheck the impellers, and turn them by hand to make sure that they rotate freely.
Refit securely
ReversibleRefit the filter securely, by replacing it correctly and tightening it, then close the flap.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Miele's emergency drain sequence
- The emergency drain procedure doubles as the routine one: remove the drain filter but not completely, place a container under the flap, open the drain pump flap, slowly unscrew the filter to let the water out, and only when the flow stops take the filter out. If you need to interrupt the flow, tighten the filter again. Only then can you clean the pump area and open the door.
- Drain options
- Miele lists three ways to drain: directly into a sink with the hose laid around the edge and secured, in a 1 1/2 in (4 cm) standpipe, or in a floor drain, where the anti-siphon gap means no minimum height is required. The drain pump has a 3.2 ft (1 m) delivery head, so higher drains than that will not empty.
- Miele parts for this problem, part numbers and prices
- For a drain fault 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, the filter housing flap, part number 10261090, at $15.00 and the drain hose, part number 10103861, at $27.00 (prices change). Clean the filter and pump before replacing anything.
- 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 Drainage message returns after cleaning the filter and pump, contact Miele Technical Service
- !If the impellers do not turn freely, stop and 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
What does the Drainage message mean?+
The drain is blocked or restricted, or the drain hose is fixed too high.
How long does the pump run before releasing the door?+
The pump runs for about 2 minutes before the door is released.
Where is the drain filter?+
Behind the flap at the bottom front, with the drain pump and emergency release.
Can I extend the drain hose?+
Up to 16.4 ft (5 m) with Miele accessories.
Why is the filter dangerous to open?+
Hot suds escape after a high temperature wash; drain slowly.