Miele washing machine F20: heating fault
The door glass stays cold, the programme takes forever and your Miele shows F20? Then the water is no longer heating up.
Error code F20
What does F20 mean on a Miele washing machine?
F20, or Heating fault on a text display, means the water does not reach the set temperature in time. Your Miele checks this itself: if the temperature has not risen by at least 4 degrees after 12 minutes of heating, or the so-called thermostop runs out before the temperature is reached, the machine shows F20. During the thermostop the remaining time on the display stands still.
With cold water the machine still washes, but grease and stains stay in and the laundry starts to smell musty. With F20 there is little you can do yourself apart from a reset. It is usually the heating element or the heating relay, which is work for a technician. The diagnosis costs €69, the repair a maximum of €179 in total, parts extra.
How it works, in 3 steps
Prices
How much does Miele washing machine repair cost?
Whether your Miele washing machine won't drain, leaks or shows an error code: you pay the same fixed price, just like for any other brand.
A technician finds out at your home why your Miele washing machine isn't working properly. If you don't go ahead with the repair, you only pay for the diagnosis.
If the technician can repair your Miele washing machine, you pay €110. No time limit: even if it takes long or a second visit is needed.
Spare parts are not included. The technician tells you in advance if a part is needed and what it costs.
Chrono surcharge for a visit in the evening, at the weekend or just a few hours after your request.
Second appliance during the same visit? The technician can check and repair it too for €80.
Maintenance as well? The technician can also clean and check your appliance thoroughly, for €50 per appliance on top of the diagnosis and repair.
Prefer remote help first? A video repair costs €49. See all our prices →
What can you try yourself with F20?
Does a reset help with F20 on a Miele?
Sometimes, if it is a temporary fault in the electronics. This is how to do it:
- Unplug the machine or switch off the fuse.
- Wait at least 2 minutes.
- Plug it back in and switch the machine on.
- Start the programme again.
If F20 appears again on the next hot programme, a part is faulty. Do not keep resetting: a relay that sticks can burn out the heating element.
How can I be sure my Miele is no longer heating?
Start a 60 °C programme and feel the door glass after 20 minutes. If it is cold, the water is not heating. Other signs: programmes take much longer than normal, and the laundry smells musty or comes out grey.
Which parts cause F20 on a Miele washing machine?
According to Miele’s service documentation there are three causes:
- The heating element has burnt out. Through age or limescale. Replacing it is a standard repair.
- The heating relay on the control board is faulty. The element no longer gets power, or the relay sticks.
- A software fault. On some recent W1 models a software update clears the message. A technician can carry it out.
The technician measures on site which of the three it is. These are live parts in an appliance full of water: working on them yourself is dangerous.
Is it worth repairing a Miele with F20?
Almost always. A Miele washing machine is built to last, and a heating element or relay is not an expensive part. Against a new Miele of 1,000 euros or more, a repair of up to €179 plus the part is a simple sum. And a good appliance does not end up on the scrap heap for one part.
Can I keep washing cold in the meantime?
For a few washes, yes. In the long run we advise against it: without hot water, grease and detergent residue stay in the machine, which leads to smells and mould in the door seal.
Where do we repair Miele washing machines at home?
Our technicians work in Antwerp, the Brussels-Capital Region, East Flanders, West Flanders, Flemish Brabant, Limburg, Liège, Namur, Hainaut and Walloon Brabant.
Do your technicians have to travel from Vilvoorde every morning?
No. Our technicians live all over Belgium and set off every morning from their own municipality. The parts they need are delivered straight to their homes. That way we get to you quickly, without long drives and often as soon as the next working day.
Another error code on your Miele washing machine?
The full list of all F codes and display messages is on our page Miele washing machine repair. Detailed explanations are also available for F10, F11 and F20. ADD, Ctr or 888 on the display? Read reset a Miele washing machine.
Frequently asked questions about F20 on a Miele washing machine
The thermostop makes sure the programme reaches the right temperature. Until it does, the machine waits and the remaining time stands still. If the temperature is not reached within the set time, F20 follows.
Yes. Models with a numeric display show F20, models with a text display show Heating fault.
Yes, indirectly. Limescale insulates the heating element, so it overheats and burns out. A programme at 60 °C or higher, now and then with machine cleaner, helps prevent it.
Yes, F20 is the Miele version of that. A general explanation for all brands is on washing machine not heating.
The diagnosis at home costs €69. If the technician can repair it, you pay a maximum of €179 in total, however long it takes. Parts are extra and you hear the price beforehand. If you decide not to repair, you only pay the €69.
Yes, 3 months on the repair. If the same fault comes back within that period, we come back at no extra cost.
No. We are an independent repair service, not an official Miele service partner. Our technicians do repair Miele appliances every week, at a fixed price you know in advance. If your appliance is still under the manufacturer’s warranty, contact Miele directly.