What this error means
Water supply fault — the machine is not receiving water from the inlet
The F10 error means the machine detected that no water entered during the fill phase, or the flow stopped before the fill was registered. This is most commonly caused by a completely closed water supply tap, a disconnected or kinked inlet hose, or a failed inlet valve solenoid. Unlike F12 which relates to a slow fill, F10 indicates that water entry was not detected at all from the start of the fill attempt.
What you'll need first
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Step-by-step
Symptoms to look for
- Machine pauses immediately after starting with no water entering at all
- F10 displayed within the first 60 seconds of a programme
- No sound of water entering the machine at any point during the fill phase
- Programme starts but no fill progress is shown on the display
How to fix it
Find the cold water isolation tap behind or under the machine. Turn it fully anti-clockwise. Confirm the hose fittings at both the tap end and the machine end are hand-tight and not dripping.
Hold the machine body and pull it carefully away from the wall. Run your hand along the full hose length. Check both ends are securely attached and the hose is not doubled back on itself or completely compressed.
Turn the tap off fully. Unscrew the hose fitting anti-clockwise. Inside the inlet port is a small flat or cylindrical mesh filter. Remove with tweezers, rinse under running water and scrub with an old toothbrush to remove limescale and debris. Refit firmly.
With the hose disconnected, point it into a bucket and briefly open the tap for 3 seconds. You should see a strong, steady, uninterrupted flow. Miele washing machines require a minimum of 1 bar supply pressure — higher than most competing brands. A weak trickle will produce F10 even with the tap fully open.
With the machine completely unplugged and water off, remove the rear panel. The inlet valve is where the hose connects internally — a solenoid block with one or two coils. Check for corrosion, cracking, or mineral deposits around the valve body. A failed valve coil means no signal reaches the mechanism and the valve never opens.
Reassemble, turn water on fully and start a 40-degree programme. Watch the first 3 minutes — you should hear water entering and the programme display should begin counting down.
When to call an engineer
- Inlet valve solenoid reads open circuit on a multimeter — valve has failed and must be replaced
- Water supply tap confirmed fully open and pressure adequate but F10 persists — inlet valve fault
- Inlet hose inlet filter is missing — must be refitted before running the machine
- Wiring to the inlet valve is burnt, corroded, or the connector has melted
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between F10 and F12 on a Miele washing machine?
Why does Miele require higher water pressure than other brands?
Can a failed inlet valve cause F10?
Is it safe to run the machine after F10?
🎯 What is likely causing this fault?
⚠️ Estimates based on common faults — not a guaranteed diagnosis. Always verify before ordering parts.
Parts you may need
Enter your model number to filter results to your exact machine
Usually found on a label inside the door frame or on the back panel of the machine.
| Part | Approx. UK Cost | Find it |
|---|---|---|
| Inlet Valve | £25 - £30 | 🛒 Amazon UK → |
| Inlet Valve | £19 - £25 | 🏷️ eBay UK → |
ℹ️ Prices are approximate. Always check the part number matches your model before ordering. Not sure of your model number? Find out how to locate it here.