Case Overview

A homeowner in Russian Hill, San Francisco contacted us after their Miele WXR860 WPS washer began displaying a persistent drain fault warning and stopped completing cycles. They had already contacted Miele customer support, who advised scheduling a factory technician with a 2-week wait time.

“The cycle would start, run for a few minutes, then suddenly stop and flash the drain fault error. It happened every single time.”

Rather than waiting, the client searched “Miele washer drain fault fix Russian Hill” and found our Miele appliance repair service page.

Appliance Info

 

Brand Miele
Model WXR860 WPS
Type Front-load washing machine
Location Green Street, Russian Hill, SF
Age 3 years
Features TwinDos, CapDosing, WiFiConn@ct

Reported Symptoms

  • Drain fault error appears ~5 minutes into any cycle
  • Water remains in drum
  • Audible humming sound but no water movement
  • No foreign objects visible in the filter trap
  • Unit won’t restart unless unplugged

What a Prior Company Suggested

A local general appliance service advised replacing the full drain pump assembly and control board.
Quote: $780
Lead time: 7–10 business days

The client declined, skeptical of replacing electronics for a mechanical issue.

What Our Diagnostic Found

We arrived the next morning and ran Miele’s test program (Service Mode 3) using the onboard diagnostics.

Diagnostic Step Test
Pump motor test ✅ Responding
Water level sensors ✅ Normal
Trap + drain hose inspection ⚠️ Slight backflow from pump
Impeller rotation test ❌ Restricted movement detected
Power module board ✅ No damage, consistent voltage

Root Cause

The issue wasn’t the board or pump motor — it was plastic debris lodged inside the impeller housing. The obstruction:

  • Restricted impeller rotation
  • Caused incomplete draining
  • Triggered a false drain fault due to water level sensor not detecting empty state

This is common in Miele TwinDos models, especially when detergent containers leak or overfill.

The Fix

  • Disassembled drain pump housing
  • Extracted foreign material (piece of garment label + lint buildup)
  • Cleared and flushed the internal hose
  • Cleaned and reseated impeller chamber
  • Ran a full rinse + spin test under diagnostic mode
  • Verified completion of normal and delicate cycles

Why This Case Was Unique

  • TwinDos models often confuse general techs unfamiliar with Miele logic
  • Drain fault errors can appear even when the pump is functional
  • Board replacements are rarely necessary unless visible short/damage
  • Miele parts are expensive and often backordered — repairs must be precise

Before You Call: What to Try

  1. Remove and clean the drain filter
  2. Run a Rinse/Spin only cycle
  3. Unplug the washer for 5 minutes
  4. Check if TwinDos containers are empty or leaking
  5. If error reappears — schedule a professional visit

Why Russian Hill Clients Trust Us

 

Feature Benefit
Miele-trained technicians We use factory testing protocols
Component-level diagnostics No unnecessary part swaps
Local service Based in SF, no travel delays
Flat-rate repair quotes No surprises or upselling
Clean, respectful service We protect flooring, cabinetry, and finishes

Why Local Repair Matters in Russian Hill

Top reasons our clients call us in this neighborhood:

    • Narrow stair access — we carry compact gear
    • Historic electrical setups — we’re GFCI-aware
    • Noise restrictions — we test without disturbing neighbors
    • High-end brands common — Miele, Bosch, Sub-Zero, Gaggenau

Unlike nationwide repair chains, we specialize in high-end appliance repair for neighborhoods like:

Our technicians are trained to handle brands like:

Check our appliance brands page for more.

Additional Resources

Client Feedback

“They fixed my Miele washer in under two hours. The last company wanted to replace the board. These guys knew exactly what to look for.”
– Julian C., Russian Hill

Book Miele Washer Repair in Russian Hill

Need Miele appliance service in San Francisco? We repair W1, TwinDos, and CapDosing models with factory-level accuracy — fast, clean, and guaranteed.

Schedule today via our booking form or call us directly.

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