Why Is My Dishwasher Leaking? 9 Sources and How to Fix Them

** The usual sources are a worn door gasket, a door that does not latch, a spray arm blocked by dishes, too much or the wrong detergent, a loose hose or clamp, a faulty water inlet valve, or a leaking pump seal. Watch where the water appears during a cycle.

water appears during a cycle. Where it shows tells you which part to check, and what you can fix yourself.

Why is my dishwasher leaking: stop the water first

1. Stop the cycle and switch off power at the breaker.
2. Turn off the water supply at the shut-off valve under the sink if water keeps coming in.
3. Mop up and dry the floor and cabinet base to prevent damage.
4. Check under the machine for the source with a flashlight.

Quick facts: why is my dishwasher leaking
Time needed	20 to 60 minutes to find the source
Tools	Towels, flashlight, screwdriver, pliers, replacement gasket or clamp
Difficulty	Easy for door, load and detergent causes; moderate for hoses and pumps
Safety	Switch off the power before opening the lower panel

Where the water appears

Where	Likely cause	Fix
From the door edge	Worn, dirty or misplaced gasket	Clean or replace the gasket
From the door latch area	Loose or broken latch, door out of line	Adjust or replace the latch
Suds or water at the front	Too much or the wrong detergent	Use dishwasher detergent only
From inside the tub on the floor	Spray arm blocked, cracked arm	Reload, replace the arm
Pool at the base, back or side	Loose hose, clamp, or inlet valve	Tighten, replace
Drips from the bottom during fill	Inlet valve	Replace
Water under the middle during wash	Pump seal or tub crack	Technician

Fixes that often work

• Clean and inspect the door gasket. Wipe away food, grease and soap film, and check for splits and flat spots. Replace a hard or torn gasket.
• Use dishwasher detergent, not hand dish soap, which makes excess suds. Do not overfill the dispenser.
• Reload the dishes. Make sure nothing blocks the spray arms or the door.
• Check the level. An unlevel dishwasher can send water out of the door. Adjust the feet.
• Tighten hose clamps under the machine and check the drain and fill hoses for cracks.

Hard-to-spot causes

A faulty float switch can let the tub overfill, and the water spills at the door. A cracked tub or failing pump seal leaks from underneath during the wash. A cracked spray arm can send jets at the door. If the water level looks high at the start of the cycle, the inlet valve or float is suspect. If you ask why is my dishwasher leaking and find no obvious cause, a technician can test these parts.

Water damage risk

A slow leak can rot the cabinet base and the floor, and promote mold. Do not ignore it. Place a tray or leak sensor under the machine if you need to keep using it temporarily, but stop using the dishwasher until the source is found.

Is it worth repairing?

A door gasket, latch or clamp is cheap to fix. A pump seal or tub leak may approach the price of a new machine on an old dishwasher, so ask for a quote.

When to call a professional

Call if the leak is from the bottom, back or pump, if you suspect the inlet valve or float, or if the floor is damp. Prevent the problem by cleaning the gasket monthly and using the right detergent. After any repair, run a leak check by placing dry paper towels under the door and along the base for one full cycle.

Why is my dishwasher leaking: the common points

Why is my dishwasher leaking is one of the most common questions about this appliance. Water usually escapes at the door seal, the hose connections or the bottom of the tub. Check the door gasket for food and tears, and look under the machine for drips at the supply and drain hoses. Why is my dishwasher leaking after every cycle can point to an overfilled detergent dispenser or a float switch stuck in the up position. Dry the base and check again after the next run to see where the water appears. If why is my dishwasher leaking is still unclear, run an empty cycle and watch the seams closely.

Related reading

• Dishwasher Water Backing Up Into Sink: Causes and Fixes
• Dishwasher Not Draining? 8 Checks Before You Call a Repair Pro
• Dishwasher Smells Bad? How to Remove Odors and Find the Cause
• Dishwasher Not Cleaning Dishes? 9 Causes and Fixes

Browse all appliance repair guides, or find an appliance repair technician in your city from the appliance repair directory.