Miele Washer F138 — What It Means & How to Fix It
F138 means the safety tray under the tub sensed water and the machine stopped — unplug, drain collected water, and if it recurs, that's a leak to trace.
What this code means
F138 is the washer's waterproofing alarm: water showed up in the safety drip tray beneath the tub, and the machine's protection system stepped in. The immediate owner action is to unplug, open the lower kick-strip, and drain any collected water from the tray — then reset and watch. If F138 comes back, the machine has a genuine leak (a door seal, a hose joint, or the dispenser path), and that's leak-diagnosis work for a technician, because a washer that leaks onto its own electronics doesn't stay a small problem for long.
Documented for Miele washers by Domex (water in the drip tray, safety tray detected water); the waterproof-system fault family is standard across Miele laundry machines.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| Genuine internal leak — seal, hose or dispenser | Common | No — technician job |
| Overflow or spill during the cycle | Occasional | Yes — drain and dry, then watch |
| Water protection sensor triggered by condensation or spray | Less common | Limited — dry thoroughly and retest |
What you can try yourself
- Unplug the washer — the protection system may have left it in a powered state, and you need it dry to inspect anyway.
- Remove the lower kick-strip and drain any water sitting in the tray with a cloth or shallow tray.
- Look for an obvious leak source around the door seal, the detergent drawer housing and visible hose joints.
- Let the area dry completely, refit the kick-strip, and run a short quick cycle while you stay near the machine.
- If F138 returns, stop using the washer and book a leak diagnosis — water and electronics don't get better on their own.
Seeing the symptom rather than the code? Washer won't drain: checks that apply across brands.
When to call a technician
- Standing water anywhere under the machine — unplug now.
- F138 returns on the next cycle after drying.
- Water damage or corrosion visible at the base of the machine.
Typical professional repair cost: Free if drying it clears it; $150–450 once a technician traces and repairs the leak.
Frequently asked questions
My machine stopped mid-cycle with F138 — did I flood the room?
No — F138 is exactly what caught it. The drip tray caught the water and the machine sealed itself. Check the tray, dry it, and book the leak hunt before the next load.
Why did F138 show after a steam program?
Steam can condense and pool more than a normal cycle — that's the 'spray and condensation' cause. Dry the tray and retest; if it recurs without steam, it's a real leak.
Sources checked
Error meanings can vary by model. This guide was checked against the documentation above; use the manual for the model number on your own appliance when it differs.
Related Miele codes
- Miele Washer F1 F1 on a Miele washer is a short circuit in the heating/water-temperature sensor circuit — a reset is worth one try, then it's technician work.
- Miele Washer F2 F2 is the open-circuit twin of F1 — the temperature sensor reads disconnected, so the heater stands down until a technician confirms the sensor or wiring.
- Miele Washer F10 F10 means the washer isn't getting enough water — closed stopcock, blocked inlet filter or a faulty inlet valve — and the first fixes are all done at the plumbing, not in the machine.
- Miele Washer F11 F11 on a Miele washer is a drainage fault — usually a blocked debris filter, a kinked hose or a failing drain pump, and the filter clean is a safe first move.
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