Miele F16 washer dryer: what it means & what to check

What F16 actually means

The machine has detected too much foam in the drum and has stopped the cycle rather than carry on washing in it.

Miele's control monitors what happens to the suds during washing and spinning, and F16 is raised when there is more foam in the drum than the cycle can cope with. Excess foam stops water draining properly and stops the drum reaching spin speed, so the machine halts the programme. In the great majority of cases this is a detergent dosing issue rather than a broken part.

What F16 looks like on a Miele washer dryer

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Miele washer dryer, F16 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water
Standing water in the bottom
F16 flashing on the display
Beeping and showing F16

Recognise any of those? That is this fault, and the rest of this page explains what causes it and what you can check yourself.

What usually causes it

Too much detergent for the load size or the water hardness
Using non-Miele or hand-wash detergent that foams heavily
Liquid detergent used on a short or low-temperature cycle so it isn't fully rinsed away
Washing items that already hold detergent residue from previous overdosing
A lightly loaded drum with a full dose of detergent

What you can safely check yourself

Work through these in order. Anything beyond this — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the machine plugged in.

Run a rinse-and-spin or extra rinse cycle with no detergent at all to clear the foam out
Next wash, cut the detergent dose noticeably — around half if you have been eyeballing it — and follow the dose on the pack for your water hardness
Check you are using a low-foam machine detergent, not hand-wash or dishwashing liquid
Don't run tiny loads on a full dose; match the amount to how full the drum is
Clean out the detergent drawer if there is caked residue in it

Common questions about Miele F16

What does F16 mean on a Miele washer dryer?

The machine has detected too much foam in the drum and has stopped the cycle rather than carry on washing in it. Miele's control monitors what happens to the suds during washing and spinning, and F16 is raised when there is more foam in the drum than the cycle can cope with. Excess foam stops water draining properly and stops the drum reaching spin speed, so the machine halts the programme. In the great majority of cases this is a detergent dosing issue rather than a broken part.

Can I fix Miele F16 myself?

There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Run a rinse-and-spin or extra rinse cycle with no detergent at all to clear the foam out.
Next wash, cut the detergent dose noticeably — around half if you have been eyeballing it — and follow the dose on the pack for your water hardness.
Check you are using a low-foam machine detergent, not hand-wash or dishwashing liquid.
Don't run tiny loads on a full dose; match the amount to how full the drum is.
Clean out the detergent drawer if there is caked residue in it.

This often clears with those checks, and rarely needs an engineer.

How much does it cost to repair Miele F16?

£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Tried the checks and it's still showing F16?

This often clears with the checks above, and rarely needs an engineer. Then it wants someone who can open it up.

What it costs, before you call: the price is the same whatever the fault turns out to be — £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Our own engineers, not a call centre. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — most washer dryer faults are seen same day or next day.

Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need

Outside our area? The explanation above still stands — take it to a local engineer and tell them the code. Knowing it saves them time and you money.

Other Miele washer dryer codes

All Miele fault codes and repairs →

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Miele F16 error — washer dryer