How To Fix Leaking Dishwasher (2024)

Pump

A defective pump and/or pump seal may be the cause of a dishwasher leak. The function of the pump is to circulate water in the dishwasher and in some models, to drain the water as well. The pump typically consists of two separate compartments; one for wash or circulation and the other for draining. The circulation part of the pump will typically consist of the wash impeller and the filter components while the drain portion will consist of a drain impeller and a chopper blade or in some cases, a solenoid operated diverter.

How to test a dishwasher pump with a multimeter:

  1. Disconnect the power from your appliance before beginning.
  2. On most models, the pump will be found behind the lower access panel. Locate and remove your dishwasher pump in order to test it.
  3. To test for continuity, set your multimeter to Rx1 and touch the terminals with the probes. This test should produce a reading of exactly or nearly zero. You should also check the ground connection of the pump. To do this, leave one probe on the terminal and touch the other to the bare metal housing of the pump. This test should not produce any reading.
  4. If your readings differ from the results above, you will need a replacement pump.

Start Your Repair Here View All Dishwasher Pumps

How To Fix Leaking Dishwasher (1) How To Fix Leaking Dishwasher (2) How To Fix Leaking Dishwasher (3)

Need help finding your model number?

Back to Top

Door Gasket

If water appears to be leaking around the front of the dishwasher, the problem may be with the door gasket. The dishwasher door gasket or seal is normally made of soft rubber or vinyl and goes around the door or tub opening of the dishwasher, creating a watertight seal. Some dishwasher models have rubber baffles located at the bottom corners of the tub opening that prevent water leaking in that area. When vinyl or rubber ages, it can become less flexible or even brittle and may damage easily or not seal properly.

How to inspect a door gasket on a dishwasher:

  1. Open your dishwasher door to locate the door gasket, and baffles if applicable.
  2. Visually inspect the gasket for any signs of wearing, damage, missing pieces, or misalignment.
  3. If you find any of the above, you will need a replacement door gasket.

Back to Top

Water Inlet Valve

The water inlet valve feeds the water from your home’s main water line into the dishwasher and could be the source of a leak. The inlet valve can be found behind the lower kick plate. The hot water inlet supply to the valve may be copper tubing, rubber hose or braided hose.

How to test a dishwasher water inlet valve:

  1. Similar to most other inspections, begin by disconnecting your appliance from both the power and the water source.
  2. In order to access the water inlet valve, you will need to remove the lower access panel of your appliance. The valve will likely be located on the left side.
  3. Begin by inspecting the body of the valve. You are looking for any signs of cracking, damage, wear, or any other indication of a leak.
  4. If you find any of the above, you will need a replacement water inlet valve.

Start Your Repair Here View All Dishwasher Valves

How To Fix Leaking Dishwasher (7) How To Fix Leaking Dishwasher (8) How To Fix Leaking Dishwasher (9)

Need help finding your model number?

How to test a water inlet valveHow to replace a water inlet valve

Back to Top

Dispensers & Grommets

The detergent dispenser and the rinse aid dispenser are normally located on the inner door panel of the dishwasher. Some models use a dispenser assembly that is attached to the panel with screws and a gasket to seal against water leaks. Other models may use a dispenser that is molded into the door panel but uses a dispenser latch assembly that is attached to the back of the inner panel and use a rubber grommet to seal around the dispenser latch where it protrudes through the door panel. If you have a water leak that appears to come from the front of your dishwasher, the dispenser gasket or the dispenser latch grommet may be the cause.

How to inspect a dishwasher detergent/rinse aid dispenser & grommets:

  1. For safety, unplug your dishwasher before beginning.
  2. Open the dishwasher door to visually inspect the dispenser.
  3. First, inspect the lever for cracking or damage, a broken lever would prevent the dispenser from opening or closing properly. Next, inspect the dispenser cover for any wear or damage. Finally, inspect the container itself for cracks or other damage.
  4. If you find any issues while performing the inspections above, you will need a replacement dispenser.

Start Your Repair Here View All Dishwasher Dispensers

How To Fix Leaking Dishwasher (10) How To Fix Leaking Dishwasher (11) How To Fix Leaking Dishwasher (12)

Need help finding your model number?

Back to Top

Spray Arm

Water is forced through the dishwasher spray arms to spray water and detergent around the dishwasher. All dishwashers have a lower spray arm located at the bottom of the dishwasher, and some dishwashers also have middle or upper spray arms located below the top dish rack or at the top of the dishwasher tub. Most spray arms are made of plastic which can crack or warp enough to change the spray pattern significantly. Metal spray arms can become damaged or separate at the seams which can also alter the spray pattern. These conditions can cause water to be directed at the bottom of the door where there is no gasket and therefore creating a water leak.

How to inspect dishwasher spray arms:

  1. While not crucial, we recommend you unplug your dishwasher before starting this inspection.
  2. Begin by inspecting the arms for any signs of cracking, wear, or any other damage.
  3. Next, manually spin the spray arms. You should be feeling to see if there is any resistance, if they are wobbling, or if they hit the dish racks. Additionally, inspect to see if any of the holes in the arms are clogged, clear out anything you may find.
  4. If you find any of the issues described above, you will need replacement spray arms.

Start Your Repair Here View All Dishwasher Spray Arms

How To Fix Leaking Dishwasher (13) How To Fix Leaking Dishwasher (14) How To Fix Leaking Dishwasher (15)

Need help finding your model number?

How to check a spray armHow to replace a spray arm

Back to Top

Float & Float Switch

The float and float switch are used as a safety device to prevent the dishwasher from overfilling with water. The float is located inside of the tub at the bottom of the dishwasher and the float switch is located beneath the tub directly below the float. The float lifts as the water level in the dishwasher rises, and when the proper water level is reached, the stem of the float activates the float switch to turn off the water inlet valve. A malfunctioning float or float switch could cause the water level to be too high and create a leak. The proper water level is normally just to the heating element on the bottom of the tub. If the water level in your dishwasher is too high, then you should suspect that the float or float switch may be the cause of the problem.

How to test a dishwasher float switch with a multimeter:

  1. Disconnect your dishwasher from the power source as well as the water supply.
  2. The float switch will be found inside your dishwasher’s tub; you will need to remove the lower access panel to access it. The switch is usually located directly below the float assembly, once you have located it, remove it in order to test it.
  3. Using a multimeter set to Rx1, touch the switch’s terminals with the probes to test for continuity. You should receive a reading of zero or infinity. With the probes still touching the terminals, press in on the switch’s button, this should change it to the opposite extreme (from zero to infinity, or infinity to zero).
  4. If your test results differ from those above, you will need a replacement float switch.

Start Your Repair Here View All Dishwasher Parts

How To Fix Leaking Dishwasher (16) How To Fix Leaking Dishwasher (17) How To Fix Leaking Dishwasher (18)

Need help finding your model number?

How to check a float assemblyHow to replace a float assemblyHow to test a float switchHow to replace a float switch

Back to Top

Hose Clamps & Hoses

The hose clamps secure the drain hose and the circulating hose to the dishwasher pump. These hoses and clamps can be found by removing the kickplate at the bottom of the dishwasher. If the clamps have come loose or the hoses have cracks in them, it could be the cause of a leak. Be sure to check the clamps on both the drain hose and the circulating hose.

How to inspect dishwasher hoses:

  1. Disconnect the water supply as well as the power source from your appliance before beginning.
  2. The hoses are usually found behind the lower access panel (or kickplate). You will need to remove this in order to locate them.
  3. You will be checking two hoses, both of which are connected to a pump below the lower spray arm: The drain hose and the recirculation hose. Remove both hoses in order to inspect them.
  4. Visually inspect the hoses for any signs or wear, cracking, or damage. Attempt to run water through each to identify if there is a blockage inside the hose.
  5. If you find any issues while performing the inspection above, you will need a replacement hose.

Start Your Repair Here View All Dishwasher Hoses and Tubes

How To Fix Leaking Dishwasher (19) How To Fix Leaking Dishwasher (20) How To Fix Leaking Dishwasher (21)

Need help finding your model number?

How to check a drain hoseHow to replace a drain hose

Back to Top

Still not sure which part is broken? We can offer you custom troubleshooting help if you search with your model number.

How To Fix Leaking Dishwasher (2024)

FAQs

Why is my dishwasher leaking from underneath? ›

If you find that your dishwasher is leaking from the bottom, this is most likely due to a leaky gasket and can be indicated by water on the floor in front of the dishwasher. If you notice that the dishwasher is leaking from underneath, you could also have a cracked hose or faulty valves connection issue.

Why is the bottom of my dishwasher door leaking water? ›

A worn door seal, or gasket, is usually the primary reason your dishwasher is leaking from the bottom right corner of the appliance door. Seals get squeezed over time to the point that they can no longer seal properly. This causes food particles and other debris to get stuck between the dishwasher door and the seal.

Can a leaking dishwasher be repaired? ›

Some of the most common culprits of dishwasher leaks can be repaired with DIY solutions. You can probably resolve a leaky dishwasher by replacing the gasket or door latch. The solution could also be as simple as changing dishwasher detergents.

How much does it cost to fix a leaky dishwasher? ›

The national average range for dishwasher repairs is between $100 and $300, with most homeowners spending around $200 to fix a leaky dishwasher. Some jobs are much cheaper, such as replacing a worn seal, and cost approximately $50. Other parts can be much more expensive like a replacement motor, which costs up to $600.

What is the average life expectancy of a dishwasher? ›

However, dishwashers don't last forever. The life expectancy of a dishwasher is about 10 years, according to manufacturers surveyed by Consumer Reports.

Why is my dishwasher flooding the floor? ›

Major causes of dishwasher flooding include overfilling, drainage issues, flawed installation, or damage. To prevent dishwasher flooding, consider inspecting the gasket, monitoring water levels, checking hoses, and searching for water in the inlet valve.

Why is my whirlpool dishwasher leaking from the bottom? ›

The most common reasons your Whirlpool dishwasher is leaking from the bottom are a faulty pump and motor assembly, clogged water valve or a cracked drain hose.

Why is there water in the hole at the bottom of my dishwasher? ›

Occasionally, a dishwasher may have standing water remaining if the cycle has been interrupted before the draining process has been completed. Excessive standing water that fills the bottom of your dishwasher after a complete wash cycle is likely due to a clog in the drain or nearby garbage disposal.

How do I stop my dishwasher leaking from the bottom? ›

The water in the dishwasher backs up and begins to seep out of the dishwasher basin, causing the unit to leak. This is a relatively easy fix. Simply remove any food, fat, grease, and other debris from the bottom of the dishwasher, then pull the filter out of the unit and wash it thoroughly.

What is the most common cause of a dishwasher leaking? ›

If you are wondering what is the most common cause of a dishwasher leaking then you may be surprised to learn that it is simply seal failure. The seal around the door is under constant pressure and is the part knocked the most.

How to unclog a dishwasher drain hose? ›

Clean the Drain with Baking Soda and Vinegar

Use a DIY mixture of equal parts baking soda and vinegar to unclog the drain. Pour the solution into the basket at the bottom. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Finish by pouring hot water down the basket and running the rinse cycle.

How does water leak into base of dishwasher? ›

It can happen for various reasons, and it's important to identify the source before attempting any repairs. The most common causes of dishwasher leakage are hose leaks, leaking seals, and drain line issues. Hose Leaks: When the hoses that supply water to the dishwasher become worn out or damaged, they can leak water.

Why is there water in the bottom of my dishwasher? ›

Water can sit in the bottom of your dishwasher when there's a clog. A dirty filter is often the cause. When the filter collects food and debris, it prevents water from draining. Many homeowners are unaware that filters need regular cleaning and replacement.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Kareem Mueller DO

Last Updated:

Views: 6059

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kareem Mueller DO

Birthday: 1997-01-04

Address: Apt. 156 12935 Runolfsdottir Mission, Greenfort, MN 74384-6749

Phone: +16704982844747

Job: Corporate Administration Planner

Hobby: Mountain biking, Jewelry making, Stone skipping, Lacemaking, Knife making, Scrapbooking, Letterboxing

Introduction: My name is Kareem Mueller DO, I am a vivacious, super, thoughtful, excited, handsome, beautiful, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.