Dishwasher
E15
The E15 error code on a Miele dishwasher means water has been detected in the base of the machine, triggering the anti-flood protection system. It’s one of the more urgent dishwasher errors — left unaddressed, it can cause water damage to your kitchen floor and cabinetry.
What does this error mean?
Miele dishwashers have a flood sensor (part of the Waterproof System) in the base tray beneath the machine. When water collects there — even a small amount — a polystyrene float rises and trips a microswitch, cutting off the water supply and displaying E15. The machine is doing exactly what it’s designed to do: protecting your home. The error won’t clear until that water is physically removed and the underlying leak fixed.
Est. repair cost
£80–£150 for a professional repair; £15–£40 DIY if the fix is a door seal or inlet hose
🔍 Likely causes
🛠️ Step-by-step fix
Switch the dishwasher off at the mains and pull it away from the wall — you need access to the base and rear connections.
Tilt the machine carefully to the left or right (have a towel ready) to drain the water from the base tray — this resets the float sensor and will clear the E15 code temporarily so you can investigate further.
Inspect the door seal all the way around — run your finger along the gasket looking for cracks, tears, or sections caked in limescale and grime. Clean thoroughly with a damp cloth; replace if damaged (a Miele door seal costs around £20–£40 and fits without tools).
Check the inlet hose at the back of the machine — ensure the connection is tight at both the tap and the machine. Look for kinks, cracks, or drips along its length. Replacement hoses cost around £15–£25.
Run a short cycle while watching underneath the machine with a torch — identify exactly where water is appearing before calling an engineer. This information will save time and money.
If you cannot find an obvious external leak after steps 2–5, stop here and call an engineer — internal hose or pump issues require disassembly and are not safe DIY territory for most homeowners.
📞 When to call a professional
If tilting the machine and clearing the base tray doesn’t stop the E15 from returning after one cycle, there is an active internal leak that needs a qualified appliance engineer. Tell them: ‘My Miele dishwasher is showing E15 — the base tray keeps refilling with water and I cannot identify an external leak.’ Miele’s own service line (0330 160 6600) or a Which?-trusted local engineer are your best options.
⚖️ Repair or replace?
A professional repair for an E15 fault — typically a hose replacement or pump seal — costs £80–£150 in most UK regions. If your Miele is under 8 years old, repair almost always makes financial sense given the brand’s build quality and the relatively low cost of common parts. If the machine is over 10 years old and the engineer finds a failed circulation pump or control board, replacement becomes more competitive — a comparable Miele freestanding dishwasher starts at around £700–£900 new.