Miele Dishwasher F26 Error: What It Means and How to Fix It
Updated 2026-07-22
On Miele dishwashers, an F26 fault is commonly tied to the drainage system — the machine isn't seeing water leave the tub within the time and flow rate it expects.
What usually causes it
A clogged drain filter at the bottom of the tub, a kinked or blocked drain hose, or a partially clogged garbage disposal knockout plug (if the dishwasher drains through the sink disposal) are the most common causes.
Safe first steps
First, the quick checks:
- Remove and rinse the drain filter assembly at the bottom of the tub.
- Check the drain hose behind the machine for kinks.
- If the dishwasher drains into a garbage disposal, confirm the knockout plug was removed at installation.
When to call a technician
If the filter and hose are clear and the code persists, the drain pump itself may have failed, which calls for a service visit to test and replace.
Preventing it from recurring
Scrape large food debris off dishes before loading rather than relying on the filter to catch everything, and rinse the drain filter every few weeks even without a fault showing — buildup is gradual and often goes unnoticed until it fully blocks flow.
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