Written by
Maya Chen Appliance Repair Content SpecialistPublished October 20, 2026
Content statusVerified
Error codeF171
ApplianceDishwasher
Quick answer
F171 on a Miele dishwasher and the salt refill step.
Model compatibility
Miele reuses codes across series and model years, so F171 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
The dishwasher reports insufficient salt.
Insufficient salt
A Miele dishwasher that shows F171 is reporting that it does not have enough salt.
Replenish the salt at the end of the programme and confirm with the OK button. Should the message stay, the support text says to contact Miele customer service.
Miele’s operating instructions for the G 7000 and G 5000 dishwashers describe the matching refill reminder, “Refill salt”. Wait until the program ends before opening the reservoir. Once it is full, the reminder can linger while the salt concentration is still below the right level, so confirm it with OK again. The reminder is switched off if the water hardness is programmed below 0.9 mmol/L (5 °dH).
Miele’s support page also notes that after salt goes in, the salt light can stay lit for a while because the salt takes time to dissolve. No remedy is needed, and the light goes out on its own. With X-in-1 combi tabs the light may stay on anyway, which is normal.
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 G 5000, G 7000 and AutoDos dishwasher diagnostics and repair — drainage, cleaning, leaks and error codes. Dishwasher 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.
