F171 on a Miele dishwasher in a few lines: meaning and fix.
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.
F171 tells you the salt level is too low.
At a glance
Code
F171
What it means
The dishwasher reports insufficient salt.
What you can check
Wait for the programme to finish, refill the salt, then press OK. If the light stays on, press OK a second time; it can also stay lit briefly while the salt dissolves, or with combi tabs.
When to call a technician
Book a service visit if F171 stays on after you have refilled the salt and pressed OK, and the light does not go out on its own.
Wait for the programme to finish.
Put salt back in.
Press OK on the display.
When F171 stays on, Miele customer service is the contact named in the support text.
From the manual
The G 7000 and G 5000 user manual words the same alert as “Refill salt” and says to refill only after the program is done. A filled reservoir does not always clear it at once. If the salt has not yet reached the right concentration, press OK a second time. Setting the hardness below 0.9 mmol/L (5 °dH) turns the reminder off entirely.
Miele also says a salt light that stays on right after refilling is just the salt still dissolving; it goes out by itself. Combi tabs (X-in-1) can keep the light on too, and that is normal.
Look-alike codes
Different cause, similar look: F170 for rinse aid and F173 for a restricted water inlet.
Dishwasher repair in the SC metro areas
Our service-center line, (844) 459-5005, serves the Miami, New York, Houston, Los Angeles and San Diego metro areas. Say what the display shows and which model you have. Browse dishwasher repair for more.
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 a specialist Miele service visit for a clear estimate and approval before any repair. Experienced technicians, clear diagnostics, and workmanship coverage on completed repairs.
