Miele Dishwasher F13 Troubleshooting (Water Intake Fault)

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What This Error Means

F13 means: Water intake fault (fill time exceeded).

What’s actually happening: The dishwasher isn’t filling with water quickly enough, so the control board aborts the fill and throws F13.

Typical causes: closed or weak water supply, kinked hose, clogged inlet screens, a tripped WaterProof hose, or a tired inlet valve / flow meter inside the machine.

Official Fix

Do this first, exactly in this order:

  • Kill power and water. Unplug the dishwasher or flip the breaker off. Close the water tap feeding it. Don’t skip this.
  • Confirm the tap is actually on. Turn the handle fully open. If it’s a quarter-turn valve, it should be parallel with the pipe when open.
  • Check basic water pressure (bucket test).
    • Unscrew the inlet hose from the tap.
    • Point the bare tap into a bucket.
    • Open the tap fully. You should get a strong, steady stream, not a weak dribble.
    • If the house pressure is bad here, that’s a plumbing problem, not a dishwasher fault.
  • Inspect the inlet hose run.
    • Straighten any kinks or tight bends behind cabinets.
    • Make sure the machine isn’t shoved so far back that the hose is crushed.
  • Clean the inlet filter(s).
    • With the tap still off, look into the end of the hose that was on the tap.
    • Pull out the small metal or plastic mesh screen with pliers or a pick.
    • Rinse it under running water and scrub off any grit or lime.
    • If your model has a second little screen at the dishwasher end of the hose, clean that too.
  • If you have a Miele WaterProof (double-walled) hose:
    • Check the indicator window on the hose head.
    • If it shows red, the safety system has tripped (internal leak in the hose).
    • Official line: the complete WaterProof hose/valve assembly must be replaced by Miele service. The machine will keep throwing F13 until that’s done.
  • Reconnect and test.
    • Reconnect the hose firmly to the tap, open the tap fully.
    • Restore power.
    • Run a short program (Rinse/Hold) and watch the first couple of minutes.
    • If it fills quickly and runs, you’re done.
    • If F13 comes back after all this, the manual’s answer is: call Miele service to check the inlet valve, WaterProof system, and internal sensors.

The Technician’s Trick

When the tap, hose, and filters are fine but F13 keeps popping, the usual culprits are a sticky flow meter or a weak inlet/WaterProof valve. Here’s how a tech chases it down.

  • Listen to the fill.
    • Start a cycle and stand by the left side or back (panels on, just listening).
    • Buzzing/humming but little water = valve is powered but restricted or weak.
    • Dead silent when it should fill = no power to the valve or a blown coil; that’s parts and a meter, not just hose-wiggling.
  • Clean the internal flow meter (for the reasonably handy).
    • Unplug the machine and close the water tap. Pull the dishwasher out so you can reach the sides.
    • Remove the left side panel (a few Torx screws at the back/top, then slide the panel back and lift off).
    • Follow the inlet hose from where it enters the cabinet: you’ll hit the WaterProof/inlet block and, on many models, a small clear plastic puck or small body with wires – that’s the flow meter.
    • Gently clamp the small rubber hose going into the meter (to limit spills), then pull the hose off the meter.
    • Use a turkey baster or large syringe with hot water and a bit of vinegar to flush backwards through the meter. You’re trying to free the tiny turbine wheel that counts water.
    • Flush again in the normal direction until the water runs clean and the wheel spins freely when you flick it with a toothpick.
    • Reconnect the hose, remove the clamp, and make sure everything is seated properly.
  • Retest after the clean.
    • Open the water tap and plug the dishwasher back in.
    • Run a Rinse cycle. If it now fills fast and F13 stays gone, the flow meter was sticking and you’ve just done the “service” fix without new parts.
    • If you still get F13 with known good pressure and a cleaned meter, the inlet/WaterProof valve itself is likely weak or failing and needs replacement.

If you’re not comfortable pulling panels and working around live wiring, stop at the Official Fix steps and call a pro. Guessing with water and mains voltage is how kitchens get ruined.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: Under ~10–12 years old, good racks and tub, and the problem is clearly a clogged filter, kinked hose, or a single inlet/WaterProof valve or flow meter – usually far cheaper than a new Miele even with a service call.
  • ⚠️ Debatable: Around 12–15 years old, already had pump/heater repairs, and now needs both a WaterProof hose and internal valve or sensor work – total cost can start to overlap a mid-range new dishwasher.
  • ❌ Replace: 15+ years old, rusting racks, any signs of leaks, and F13 is just the latest fault – don’t pour money into it; put the cash toward a replacement with a fresh warranty.

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