What causes Miele Washer F138?

A leak inside the washer, so water collects in the floor tray and lifts the Waterproof system float (Miele US and UK support). Water that ran back into the machine after the lint or drain filter was cleaned, for example if the filter flap wasn't fully open (Miele Netherlands); this can dry out on its own. A drain filter that isn't screwed in tightly, which Miele warns can let water leak out. A leaking hose, seal or connection inside the cabinet that a technician has to locate.

How do I fix Miele Washer F138?

Turn off the water inlet tap and unplug the machine. Unplugging also stops the drain pump. If you've just washed at a high temperature, wait. Miele warns the escaping suds can be hot enough to scald. Don't use the emergency door release until the water has been drained. Open the drain pump access panel, put a shallow container (a universal tray) underneath, and slowly unscrew the drain filters to let the water out a little at a time. Note how much water comes out. When the water stops, screw the drain filters back in firmly and check they are seated correctly, then unlock the door with a screwdriver using the emergency release. Make sure the drum isn't moving before you reach in. If F138 appeared right after you cleaned the lint filter, Miele Netherlands suggests booking a technician but trying a program again after a few days, since the water may evaporate; if a few test programs run normally you can cancel the appointment. Otherwise, contact Miele Service (US 888-996-4353) to remove the water from the floor tray and fix the leak. Have the model and serial number ready.

When should I call a pro for Miele Washer F138?

F138 keeps coming back, or you didn't clean a filter beforehand: Miele recommends a service visit to find and fix the leak. There is a large amount of water, or water on the floor around the machine: shut off the water and call Miele Service. The technician empties the floor tray, resets the Waterproof system and traces the leak to a hose, seal or connection. The machine is under warranty or extended cover: use Miele Service first.

Code: F138🧺 Miele Washer

Miele Washer F138: Waterproof System Activated, Water in the Floor Tray (What to Do)

Q: What does Miele Washer F138 mean?

F138 on a Miele washing machine or washer-dryer means the Miele Waterproof system has been activated: water has been detected in the floor tray (drip tray) inside the machine because of a leak. Miele says to unplug the machine, drain the water carefully through the drain filter access panel before using the emergency door release, and contact Miele Service to remove the water and fix the leak. Miele Netherlands adds that if F138 came up the first time you ran the machine after cleaning the lint filter, the water may have run back into the machine and can evaporate on its own. Miele's support pages in the US and UK describe F138 the same way: "The Miele Waterproof system has been activated. Water has been detected due to a leak inside the washing machine/washer-dryer." Newer machines may show the message "Waterproof system activated" instead of the number, and Miele's US page for that message gives the same steps. The Waterproof system uses floats in the floor tray (the internal drip tray under the machine's components). When a float detects water there, the machine stops as a safety measure. Miele Netherlands points out that this isn't always a fault: if you had just cleaned the lint filter and the filter flap wasn't fully open, water can run back into the machine and trip the float. In that case the water may evaporate by itself. Otherwise F138 points to a real leak inside the machine, such as from a hose, seal or connection, which Miele asks its service to find and repair.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Based on 4 manufacturer & service sources

What the code means

Miele's support pages in the US and UK describe F138 the same way: "The Miele Waterproof system has been activated. Water has been detected due to a leak inside the washing machine/washer-dryer." Newer machines may show the message "Waterproof system activated" instead of the number, and Miele's US page for that message gives the same steps. The Waterproof system uses floats in the floor tray (the internal drip tray under the machine's components). When a float detects water there, the machine stops as a safety measure. Miele Netherlands points out that this isn't always a fault: if you had just cleaned the lint filter and the filter flap wasn't fully open, water can run back into the machine and trip the float. In that case the water may evaporate by itself. Otherwise F138 points to a real leak inside the machine, such as from a hose, seal or connection, which Miele asks its service to find and repair.

Likely causes

A leak inside the washer, so water collects in the floor tray and lifts the Waterproof system float (Miele US and UK support)
Water that ran back into the machine after the lint or drain filter was cleaned, for example if the filter flap wasn't fully open (Miele Netherlands); this can dry out on its own
A drain filter that isn't screwed in tightly, which Miele warns can let water leak out
A leaking hose, seal or connection inside the cabinet that a technician has to locate

Safe DIY checks

⚠ Before you start

Unplug the washer and shut off the water before draining it. Suds can be hot after a hot wash, and Miele warns never to reach into the drum unless it has completely stopped. Don't tip the machine to empty the floor tray; leaks inside the cabinet and any wet electrical parts are for a trained technician.

Turn off the water inlet tap and unplug the machine. Unplugging also stops the drain pump.
If you've just washed at a high temperature, wait. Miele warns the escaping suds can be hot enough to scald.
Don't use the emergency door release until the water has been drained. Open the drain pump access panel, put a shallow container (a universal tray) underneath, and slowly unscrew the drain filters to let the water out a little at a time. Note how much water comes out.
When the water stops, screw the drain filters back in firmly and check they are seated correctly, then unlock the door with a screwdriver using the emergency release. Make sure the drum isn't moving before you reach in.
If F138 appeared right after you cleaned the lint filter, Miele Netherlands suggests booking a technician but trying a program again after a few days, since the water may evaporate; if a few test programs run normally you can cancel the appointment.
Otherwise, contact Miele Service (US 888-996-4353) to remove the water from the floor tray and fix the leak. Have the model and serial number ready.

🛠 When to call a pro

F138 keeps coming back, or you didn't clean a filter beforehand: Miele recommends a service visit to find and fix the leak.
There is a large amount of water, or water on the floor around the machine: shut off the water and call Miele Service.
The technician empties the floor tray, resets the Waterproof system and traces the leak to a hose, seal or connection.
The machine is under warranty or extended cover: use Miele Service first.

Parts that commonly fix it

Always match the part number to your exact model.

⚙

Shallow tray or universal drip tray

To catch water when you slowly unscrew the drain filters, as Miele's steps describe.

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Washer drain filter

Only if the filter or its seal is damaged and won't seal when screwed in tightly. Match the part to your exact model.