Miele F96 washing machine: what it means & what to check

Stop using it for now. Carrying on with this fault risks further damage or a leak. Switch it off at the wall until it has been looked at.

What F96 actually means

The machine isn't getting water through its second, non-mains supply — the grey water (recycled or rainwater) inlet — so it has stopped the wash.

Some Miele machines can be plumbed to two supplies: normal mains water and an alternative supply such as recycled grey water or harvested rainwater. F96 means the machine called for water on that alternative inlet and didn't get what it expected within the time allowed, so it halts rather than carrying on with an underfilled drum. If your machine only has one hose to a normal tap, this code points at the second inlet valve or its control rather than anything you've done.

What F96 looks like on a Miele washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Miele washing machine, F96 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
Not filling with water
No water going in
Takes for ever to fill
Stops right at the start of the cycle

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

The tap or isolating valve on the grey water supply turned off or only part open
The grey water tank empty, or its pump or filter blocked
A kinked or trapped inlet hose to the alternative supply
A clogged filter screen in the alternative inlet connection
A faulty inlet valve or level sensing on the grey water circuit

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.

Check the alternative supply tap is fully open, and the mains tap too
Look at the grey water tank or reservoir — is there water in it and is its pump running?
Follow the alternative supply hose along its length and straighten any kinks or tight bends
Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then back on and restart the programme
If you can switch the machine to a mains-water-only programme, see whether it fills normally — that tells us the fault sits on the alternative supply side

Common questions about Miele F96

What does F96 mean on a Miele washing machine?

The machine isn't getting water through its second, non-mains supply — the grey water (recycled or rainwater) inlet — so it has stopped the wash. Some Miele machines can be plumbed to two supplies: normal mains water and an alternative supply such as recycled grey water or harvested rainwater. F96 means the machine called for water on that alternative inlet and didn't get what it expected within the time allowed, so it halts rather than carrying on with an underfilled drum. If your machine only has one hose to a normal tap, this code points at the second inlet valve or its control rather than anything you've done.

Can I fix Miele F96 myself?

There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Check the alternative supply tap is fully open, and the mains tap too.
Look at the grey water tank or reservoir — is there water in it and is its pump running?.
Follow the alternative supply hose along its length and straighten any kinks or tight bends.
Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then back on and restart the programme.
If you can switch the machine to a mains-water-only programme, see whether it fills normally — that tells us the fault sits on the alternative supply side.

This sometimes clears with those checks. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.

How much does it cost to repair Miele F96?

£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 F96?

This sometimes clears with the checks above. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly. 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 washing machine 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 washing machine codes

All Miele fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

Repairs we cover near you

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

Miele F96 error — washing machine