The Miele W1 measures water by load, program and settings, so a low level with no message is usually a setting rather than a fault. Miele's Settings menu has Water intake and Maximum rinse level options, and the program guide has extras such as ExtraRinse and Gentle. The machine's water intake message covers the real fault: a blocked or restricted intake, a kinked hose, insufficient pressure (minimum 14.5 psi, 100 kPa), or a blocked inlet filter. The sensors also need the machine level: the manual asks that the washer stand perfectly level on all four feet.
Differential
Likely causes of “Miele W1 WXF980 washer uses very little water or the water level looks wrong”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A Settings option limiting water
What separates it There is less water than expected with no message because a Settings option limits the water
How to confirm Check Water intake and Maximum rinse level in Settings
- 2
A restricted intake
What separates it A water intake message shows because the intake is restricted
How to confirm Check the faucet, the hose and the filters, and clear any restriction
- 3
Low water pressure
What separates it The fills are slow at busy times because the water pressure is low
How to confirm Confirm that the pressure is at least 14.5 psi, and then run the program again
- 4
An unlevel machine
What separates it The sensing is uneven and the machine moves because it is not level
How to confirm Level all four feet, and tighten the counter nuts
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Settings for Water intake and Maximum rinse level
- The program and the extras that you chose
- Any message that is shown on the display
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedCheck Settings
ReversibleTurn the selector to Additional programs, open Settings and review Water intake and Maximum rinse level.
Check the supply
ReversibleCheck the supply, with the faucet fully on, the hose straight and the pressure adequate.
Clean the filters
ReversibleClean the filters, both in the hose end and at the inlet valve, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Level the machine
ReversibleLevel the machine, so that all four feet are firm and the counter nuts are tight.
Try another program
ReversibleTry another program, and compare the water use with the program guide, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Program extras
- Miele's extra options include Pre-wash, Buzzer, Gentle and ExtraRinse, and the program guide lists which temperatures, spin speeds and extras each program allows. ExtraRinse adds a rinse; Gentle changes the drum action. Neither changes the fill by itself, but both change how much water the program uses overall.
- Settings menu
- The Settings menu is reached by turning the selector to Additional programs and choosing Settings. It includes Language, Buzzer volume, Keypad tone, Welcome tone, Code, Unit, Brightness, Display switch-off, Program info, Memory, Water intake, Long p-wash Normal, Soak duration, Gentle action, Temp. reduction and Maximum rinse level.
- Miele parts for this problem, part numbers and prices
- Miele's own shop lists the foot M10x34 mm, part number 304595, at $30.00 and the foot M10x46 mm, part number 233801, at $36.00 for a machine that will not level (prices change). A low water level with no message is a setting first; check Settings before ordering.
- Sensing and the calibration program
- New W1 machines run a calibration program during first use, after the display language and Miele@home are set and the shipping struts are removed. The calibration lets the washer learn its drum and sensors, so a fill that seems wrong on a brand new machine that skipped or interrupted the calibration may correct itself once the calibration program has run to the end.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the W1 WXR960 washer.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If a water intake message returns after cleaning the inlet filters, contact Miele Technical Service
- !If the level is wrong on every program with the settings at default, 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 is Maximum rinse level?+
A setting that limits the rinse water level.
What pressure does Miele require?+
14.5 psi (100 kPa) minimum, 145 psi (1,000 kPa) maximum.
Can I change the water intake?+
Yes, in Settings under Water intake.
What does ExtraRinse do?+
It adds rinse water and time.