Miele Washing Machine Error Code F31

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: June 10, 2026

⚠ Medium Severity 🔧🔧 Moderate DIY

NTC temperature sensor fault

The most common cause of the F31 error on a Miele washing machine is thermistor open circuit (~65% of cases); start with: test the thermistor.

💰 DIY cost: $25–$60 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $200–$380 Save $175+ by doing it yourself

Miele Washing Machine error code F31 on the display panel — How the F31 code appears on a Miele washing machine display

What Does Error Code F31 Mean on a Miele Washing Machine?

NTC temperature sensor fault.

F31 fires when the control board reads the wash-water NTC thermistor as open, shorted, or outside its expected resistance window, so it can no longer confirm heating temperature and typically halts the program. The board distinguishes this from a heater fault because it sees an implausible sensor signal rather than a failure to reach temperature. A dead thermistor, a loose or corroded connector, or a chafed harness near the tub and heater are the usual triggers.

Models affected: Miele front-load washers with an NTC wash-water sensor and heating circuit, including W1 Series models

What owners report: Owners commonly report F31 appearing partway through a heated wash or right as heating should begin, sometimes after moving or servicing the machine. A quick reseat of the sensor connector occasionally clears an intermittent fault, but a genuinely open thermistor usually needs replacement before the code stays gone.

What Causes Error Code F31?

Here are the most common causes in order of frequency. Start with the most likely cause before moving to the next:

1

Thermistor open circuit 65% of cases
2

Connector loose 25% of cases
3

Wiring damaged 10% of cases

How to Fix Miele Washing Machine Error Code F31

🔧🔧 Moderate DIY Est. time: 30–60 min

⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.

1

Test the thermistor

With power off, measure the NTC at room temperature — it should read roughly 6k–10k ohms, not open.

🔩 Multimeter
2

Check the connector

Reseat the connector at the sensor and inspect for corrosion, moisture, or a backed-out pin.
3

Inspect the wiring

Trace the thermistor harness for rubbed insulation or breaks where it passes the tub and heater area.
4

Replace the thermistor

Install a genuine Miele NTC thermistor if resistance is out of range or intermittent when moved.

🔩 Miele NTC thermistor ($25–$60)

How to Reset Error Code F31

After replacement or connector repair, restart the washer and run a heated program; F31 clears only after the control sees a valid temperature rise.

Note: If the error returns after resetting, the underlying issue has not been resolved. Work through the fix steps above.

Did this guide fix your appliance?

When to Call a Professional

If a new thermistor reads correctly but F31 returns, the harness or control-board temperature input is failing and should be diagnosed by Miele service.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $200–$380

Same Code on Other Brands

Error code F31 appears on these other brands too. See every brand that shows F31 →

Whirlpool Dryer F31

Exhaust thermistor failure

Frigidaire Oven F31

Oven temperature probe short circuit

Maytag Dryer F31

L2 line voltage / heating circuit fault

Kenmore Oven F31

Oven temperature sensor shorted (Frigidaire-platform models)

Find Replacement Parts

Use these links to find the exact replacement parts for your Miele Washing Machine:

🔩

Search PartSelect

Miele Washing Machine repair parts

🔧

Search RepairClinic

Step-by-step video guides

External links — ApplianceErrors.com is not affiliated with these retailers.

More Miele Washing Machine Error Codes

F11 Pump fault — water not draining F19 Drain time exceeded — slow or failed drain F16 Water protection system activated — flood protection triggered F53 Motor fault — drive motor failure F1 NTC temperature sensor short-circuited F2 NTC temperature sensor open-circuited

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my Miele Washing Machine when error F31 appears? +

You often can for a cycle or two, but the sensor issue behind F31 will keep interrupting normal operation until it is fixed. Plan the repair rather than ignoring the code.

What most commonly causes F31 on a Miele Washing Machine? +

Across reported Miele washing machine repairs, the most frequent is thermistor open circuit (65% of cases), connector loose (25%), then wiring damaged (10%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.

F31 keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +

A reset only clears the stored F31 fault; if it returns, the sensor problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — test the thermistor, then check the connector — since the code will reappear until the root cause is resolved. This is a moderate job — a multimeter and some disassembly are usually involved.

How much does it cost to fix Miele Washing Machine error F31? +

A DIY repair typically runs $25–$60 in parts, versus $200–$380 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $175. Expect the work to take roughly 30–60 minutes.

Which Miele Washing Machine models show error F31? +

F31 is documented on Miele front-load washers with an NTC wash-water sensor and heating circuit, including W1 Series models. Other units sharing the same control platform can display it too, so the fixes here generally transfer across the series.

Sources & References

• Miele Customer Support — official manufacturer documentation
• Our editorial & verification policy

Content verified against manufacturer service documentation. Last verified: June 10, 2026.

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