Written by
Maya Chen Appliance Repair Content SpecialistPublished October 20, 2026
Content statusVerified
Error codeF28, Clean brew unit by hand
ApplianceCoffee Machine
Quick answer
F28, also shown as Clean brew unit by hand, means too much ground coffee in the brew unit or a blocked grinder channel.
Model compatibility
Miele reuses codes across series and model years, so F28, Clean brew unit by hand may mean something different on another appliance or generation. Confirm this against your model’s documentation and record your full model number before acting.
Plain language
What thiscode means
F28 means too much ground coffee was added to the brew unit or the grinder channel is blocked.
What F28 means
On a Miele coffee machine, F28 and the message Clean brew unit by hand have the same two causes. Too much ground coffee was added to the ground coffee chute, so the brew unit cannot process it and the grounds go into the grounds container. Or the coffee grinder channel is blocked.
Too much ground coffee
Switch the machine off with the On/Off switch.
Wait 2 minutes, then switch it back on.
For ready ground coffee, add one portion to the chute. Only 1 portion of coffee or espresso can be made at a time.
With the supplied scoop, use these amounts: CM 7xxx, exactly 2 level scoops; CM 6xxx and CVA xxxx, exactly 1 level scoop; CM 5xxx, exactly 12 g of ground coffee.
Blocked grinder channel
Miele says to vacuum out the ground coffee chute once a year. Open the appliance door and remove the ground coffee drawer. Insert the vacuum cleaner attachment and use the suction tube to vacuum the chute. Take the attachment out, refit the drawer and close the door.
If the fault persists, Miele says to contact customer service or book a repair appointment online.
Related codes
F73 concerns the brew unit not reaching its start position.
Do not attempt repairs involving electrical components, gas, water lines, refrigerant or sealed systems. Unplug the appliance if it is safe to reach the outlet, and leave internal diagnostics to a qualified technician.
Get started
Seeing this code on your Miele appliance?
Book an on-site visit in Los Angeles County or Orange County. We diagnose the appliance that is showing the code and give a written estimate before any repair.
Miele built-in coffee machine diagnostics and repair — brewing, pressure, leaks and grinder faults. Coffee-machine service is booked as an on-site visit in Los Angeles County and Orange County.
Tell us about your Miele —we’ll take it from there
Request a repair visit for a Miele appliance in Los Angeles County or Orange County. Share the model and symptom — or call and we will take the details.
