Miele Dishwasher: not spraying

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If your Miele dishwasher isn’t spraying water effectively during the wash cycle, it can lead to poorly cleaned dishes. This issue may stem from clogged spray arm jets, a dirty filter, or even low water pressure. Proper maintenance and troubleshooting can help restore your dishwasher's functionality.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Miele Models

  • Miele’s official support guidance describes blockage of spray arms by dishes or clogged jets and provides removal and cleaning steps. If the dishwasher displays a "Spray arm blocked" indicator, follow model-specific removal instructions.

Possible Causes

Clogged spray arm jets with food debris or mineral deposits

How to Identify: Visible food particles or deposits in spray arm holes; spray arms do not spin freely by hand; dishes remain dirty after cycle.

Part: Spray arms (upper/middle/lower)

Dirty or clogged filter / sump area reducing water flow

How to Identify: Slow drainage, visible debris in filter, reduced water circulation.

Part: Filter assembly / sump

Low water pressure or inadequate inlet flow

How to Identify: Dishwasher fills slowly or with insufficient water, weak spray, possibly accompanied by water supply warning codes.

Part: Water inlet valve / household supply

Faulty circulation pump or impeller

How to Identify: Humming without spray action, very weak or no water movement even after cleaning arms and filters.

Part: Circulation pump / impeller

DIY Solutions

Clean spray arms

Moderate 15-30 minutes
Tools Needed: toothpick or thin wire, warm water, small brush
  1. Open dishwasher and remove upper and lower spray arms according to model instructions.
  2. Rinse spray arms under warm water and use a toothpick or thin wire to clear each hole of debris.
  3. Use a small brush to scrub away mineral deposits and then reattach spray arms.
  4. Ensure arms spin freely when turned by hand before running a test cycle.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power is off before removing parts

Rearrange dishes to avoid spray arm blockage

Easy 5-10 minutes
  1. Open dishwasher and inspect rack loading.
  2. Move tall dishes, pots, and utensils so they do not interfere with the free rotation of spray arms.
  3. Close dishwasher and run a short wash to test spraying.

Clean filter and sump area

Moderate 10-20 minutes
Tools Needed: warm water, soft brush
  1. Remove bottom rack and access dishwasher filter assembly.
  2. Take out filter and rinse under warm water, removing trapped debris.
  3. Inspect sump area for food or foreign objects and remove them.
  4. Reassemble filter and run a rinse cycle.
⚠️ Safety First: Power off before removing internal components

Professional Repairs

Replace water inlet valve

Estimated Cost: $50 - $150 for part (varies by model) plus labor

Circulation pump or motor replacement

Estimated Cost: $200 - $500+ including labor

When to Call a Professional

Water continues not to spray after cleaning spray arms, filters, and checking loading
Dishwasher fills slowly or not at all, indicating inlet supply or pressure issues
Unusual noises like humming without spraying (possible pump failure)

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean spray arms periodically: Blockage of spray jets causing no spraying
    Frequency: monthly or as needed
  • Clean filter assembly: Reduced water flow from debris buildup
    Frequency: monthly
  • Proper rack loading: Spray arm rotation blockage
    Frequency: every use

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Miele Dishwasher not spraying?
Common causes include clogged spray arm jets, a dirty filter, or low water pressure.
How do I fix Miele Dishwasher not spraying myself?
You can clean the spray arms, rearrange dishes, and clean the filter to improve water flow.
How much does it cost to fix not spraying?
Professional repairs can range from $50-$150 for a water inlet valve to $200-$500+ for a circulation pump replacement.
When should I call a technician for not spraying?
If DIY solutions fail or if you suspect a circulation pump issue, it's best to contact a professional.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

75%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Clogged spray arm holes
  • Faulty spray arm motor
  • Blocked water inlet filter

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Remove the middle spray arm and inspect for clogs. Clean the holes with a toothpick or brush, then reattach and test the dishwasher.

  2. Check the spray arm motor for functionality. If it's not spinning, replace it. This may require disassembling parts of the dishwasher.

  3. Inspect and clean the water inlet filter located at the bottom of the dishwasher. Ensure it's free of debris and properly installed.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Miele middle spray arm not spraying/spinning (no, it's not c...

Community Discussions

middle spray arm not spraying/spinning

Blow out the pipes by running a cycle without the spray arms attached to clear the blockage.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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