Meiko Dishwasher Error Code 101: Drainage Level Not Reached
Message 101 on a Meiko M-iClean U dishwasher means the drainage level was not reached, so the water did not empty from the tank as expected. The maker says to check the drainage sieve and clean it if needed. If 101 comes back, call a service technician.
Medium: the machine may not finish cycles properly until it drains.
- Code
- 101
- Maker
- MEIKO
- Equipment
- Dish machines
- Applies to
- M-iClean U (red/gray messages)
What does MEIKO error code 101 mean?
On Meiko M-iClean U undercounter dishwashers, message 101 means the drainage level was not reached, so the water did not empty from the tank as expected. After a wash, the machine pumps the tank down and checks that the level drops to the drain mark. When that check fails, it shows the message. Staff see 101 after a cycle, often with water still in the tank. The maker's operator step is to check the drainage sieve and clean it if needed, and to call a service technician if that does not help. A sieve clogged with food or paper is the most common reason, because the pump pulls water through it. Beyond the sieve, a kinked drain hose, a slow building drain, debris or a worn impeller in the drain pump, or a level reading that does not match the water in the tank can all cause it. The display text is 101.
Affected models and control systems
Meiko M-iClean U undercounter dishwashers (red and gray messages), per the operating instructions 9763258, section 9.4.1 Messages. Other Meiko models use different message numbers.
Code numbers and their meaning can change between control generations. We match the full model and control before acting on a code.
What you may notice
- Message 101 after a cycle
- Water still standing in the tank
- Slow or incomplete draining
- Gurgling from the drain
Possible causes
Listed in MEIKO's documentation
- Drainage sieve clogged with food or paper
- Drain hose kinked or the building drain slow
- Drain pump with debris or a worn impeller
- Level sensing that misreads the water in the tank
Other likely causes — what usually sits behind error code 101 on this control. A technician confirms which one it is before any part is replaced.
- A sieve seated crookedly so scraps bypass it and reach the pump
- A floor drain or grease trap behind the machine that is backing up
- A drain hose bent behind the machine after it was pushed back
Safe checks before calling for service
- Switch the machine off and let the water cool before anyone reaches in.
- Take out the drainage sieve and clean it, as the owner's manual says.
- Put the sieve back in the right position and start a cycle.
- If 101 comes back, call a service technician and do not try to empty the tank onto the floor.
How a technician diagnoses error code 101
- Read the message and ask when it began and how much water remained.
- Check the sieve, hose route and building drain.
- Test the drain pump for debris and impeller wear.
- Check the level sensing against the actual water level.
- Replace the pump or sensor only after the test.
- Draining a hot tank by hand risks scalds and a wet floor near electrical parts.
- Pump and level sensing checks involve live wiring behind the panels.
- A slow building drain may need plumbing work that the machine cannot fix.
How error code 101 differs from similar codes
Message 101 concerns draining; 111 is the opposite, where water was lost from the tank.
Technical reference
- Document
- M-iClean U Original operating instructions 9763258 (update 2026-06), 9.4.1 Messages p.43-45
- Edition
- 9763258 / Valid from: 2018-09 / Update: 2026-06
- Models / control
- M-iClean U (red/gray messages)
- Section
- 9.4.1 Messages, printed pp. 43-45 of 70 (PDF pp. 43-45)
- Checked
- October 2026
We use the maker's document to read the code and do not reproduce it. Always confirm the complete model and control before applying these steps.
Related MEIKO dish machine error codes
Can I keep using the dishwasher with 101?
Clean the sieve and try one cycle. If the water still does not empty, stop and call us.
Will 101 clear by itself?
It clears once the cause is removed. A clogged sieve is the usual reason, so a clean often does it.
Is 101 the same as 111?
No. 101 is water that did not drain, while 111 is water that disappeared from the tank.
Need help with MEIKO error code 101?
A technician confirms the cause on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.