Dishwasher
E10
The E10 error code on a Miele dishwasher signals a water intake fault — the appliance isn’t receiving enough water, or water isn’t arriving fast enough to run the cycle safely. It can range from a simple blockage you can clear in minutes to a faulty valve that needs a professional. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly what’s causing your E10, what you can safely fix yourself, and when it’s time to call in an engineer.
What does this error mean?
The E10 error code on Miele dishwashers (sometimes displayed as ‘Water Intake Fault’ on models with a text display) means the appliance has started a cycle but failed to detect that the correct volume of water has entered the machine within the expected time window. Miele dishwashers use a pressure switch or flow meter to monitor how much water enters the tub. If that sensor doesn’t register sufficient water — typically within about 30 seconds of the intake phase beginning — the machine stops the cycle and throws E10 to protect itself from running dry and damaging the pump or heating element. In short: your dishwasher is saying ‘I tried to fill up, but not enough water arrived.’
Est. repair cost
DIY fix: £0 (cleaning filter/hose) to £25–£50 (Aquastop hose replacement) or £20–£45 (solenoid valve part). Professional repair: £80–£160 all-in for a typical E10 fault including call-out and labour.
🔍 Likely causes
🛠️ Step-by-step fix
Step 1 — Reset the machine first: Turn the dishwasher off at the power button, wait 30 seconds, and switch it back on. Attempt to run a short cycle. Occasionally a temporary pressure drop triggers E10 and a simple reset clears it. If E10 returns, move to Step 2.
Step 2 — Check your water supply stopcock: Open the cupboard under the sink and locate the isolation valve on the cold water pipe feeding the dishwasher. It should be fully open (handle in line with the pipe). If it’s at an angle, open it fully and restart the machine. No tools needed.
Step 3 — Inspect the inlet hose for kinks: Carefully pull the dishwasher out slightly from its housing (protect your floor with a cloth) and trace the grey or blue inlet hose from the back of the machine to the stopcock. Straighten out any kinks or tight bends. Push the machine back and test a cycle.
Step 4 — Clean the inlet hose filter: Turn off the water supply at the stopcock. Place a towel on the floor to catch residual water, then unscrew the inlet hose from the back of the dishwasher (it’s a standard hand-tight fitting). Inside the connection port on the machine you’ll see a small plastic mesh filter. Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to pull it out gently, then rinse it under the tap to clear any limescale or grit. Refit and reconnect the hose, turn the water back on, and test.
Step 5 — Check the Aquastop hose: If your Miele came with an Aquastop hose (a thicker hose with a plastic block at the tap end), inspect it carefully. If the hose has been wet externally near the plastic block, or if you’ve had a leak recently, the thermal cutout inside may have tripped. Unfortunately, Aquastop hoses cannot be reset — a triggered Aquastop hose must be replaced entirely. Replacement Miele Aquastop hoses are available from Miele directly or appliance parts suppliers for around £25–£50. This is a safe DIY replacement: turn off the water, unscrew the old hose at both ends, and fit the new one.
Step 6 — Test your household water pressure: Turn on a cold tap at the kitchen sink fully. If the flow seems unusually weak, you may have a wider pressure issue. Check whether neighbours are affected or contact your water supplier. If pressure is consistently low at the dishwasher feed specifically, a plumber may need to investigate the isolation valve or supply line.
Step 7 — Inspect the water inlet solenoid valve (DIY-cautious step): The solenoid valve is located inside the dishwasher at the bottom rear, accessible by removing the kick plate/base panel. Before doing this, isolate the appliance from the mains by switching off at the socket and unplugging it. Remove the two or three screws on the base kick plate and locate the valve where the inlet hose connects internally. Check for visible scale build-up around the valve body or any signs of burning on the electrical connector. If the valve appears heavily scaled, some homeowners successfully clean it by soaking in white vinegar — however, if the solenoid coil has failed electrically, you will need to replace the valve. If you are not comfortable working near internal components, stop here and call a professional.
Step 8 — Replace the inlet solenoid valve (advanced DIY): If you’ve confirmed the solenoid valve is faulty, genuine Miele replacement valves are available from Miele UK (via their spare parts line) or from specialist appliance parts retailers such as eSpares or 4ourhouse, typically for £20–£45 depending on your model. Ensure the machine is fully unplugged and the water supply is off. Disconnect the hose and the two electrical spade connectors from the valve, unscrew it from the housing, fit the new valve in reverse order, and test. Always use the correct part number for your specific Miele model (found on the rating plate inside the door).
Step 9 — If all above steps fail, stop DIY: If you’ve checked the hose, filter, stopcock, Aquastop, and valve and E10 persists, the fault is likely an internal sensor (pressure switch or flow meter) or a control board issue. These require diagnostic equipment and are not safe or cost-effective to attempt without training. Contact Miele’s UK customer service or a Miele-approved engineer.
📞 When to call a professional
Call a qualified appliance engineer if: the E10 error persists after you’ve checked and cleared the inlet filter, confirmed the stopcock is open, inspected the hose for kinks, and replaced a tripped Aquastop hose. You should also call a professional if you’re not confident removing the kick plate to access the solenoid valve, or if you suspect the fault lies with the pressure switch, flow meter, or main control board — these are not DIY-appropriate repairs. When you call, tell the engineer: ‘My Miele dishwasher is showing an E10 water intake error. I’ve already checked the stopcock is open, inspected the inlet filter, checked the hose for kinks, and confirmed the Aquastop hasn’t tripped.’ This will save diagnostic time and money. For Miele appliances, it’s worth contacting Miele UK directly on 0330 160 6600 to check whether your machine is still under warranty (Miele offer up to 10 years on some components) or to book a Miele-authorised engineer who will have access to genuine parts and model-specific diagnostics.
⚖️ Repair or replace?
Miele dishwashers are premium, long-life appliances built to last 20 years with proper maintenance, so the repair-vs-replace calculation is more favourable than with budget brands. If your machine is under 10 years old and the fault is a solenoid valve, Aquastop hose, or inlet filter, repair is almost always the right call — these are relatively inexpensive parts with straightforward labour. A professional call-out and repair for an E10 fault typically costs £80–£160 all in, which is very reasonable against a replacement Miele dishwasher costing £700–£1,500+. If your machine is over 12–15 years old and the fault turns out to be the control board (which can cost £150–£300 for the part alone, plus labour), the maths becomes tighter — at that point, consider the overall condition of the machine and whether other components are near end of life. Parts availability for Miele is generally excellent; Miele UK stocks spares for appliances up to 15 years old as standard, and many older parts remain available. On balance: repair if the machine is under 12 years old and the fault is mechanical or valve-related. Reconsider only if the repair quote exceeds £250–£300 on an older machine.