WHY IS MY DISHWASHER LEAKING?

6 POSSIBLE REASONS WHY YOUR DISHWASHER IS LEAKING

There are multiple reasons why your dishwasher may be leaking water. Dishwasher leaks may occur from the front, around the door or from the bottom of the unit. If you’re not sure where your leak is coming from, refer to the possible issues below as a starting point.

Always check your dishwasher’s use and care guide for model-specific troubleshooting instructions. Understanding the different parts of a dishwasher can also help you find the source of the leak. Explore a list below of potential reasons for why a dishwasher may leak.

1. A DAMAGED DISHWASHER WATER LINE

Is your dishwasher leaking from the water line underneath? Check the water line from the household water supply to see if it is damaged or cracked. 

You can check the water line by following these steps, though location may vary slightly depending on your dishwasher model. See this guide or check your use and care guide for full instructions. Always disconnect electrical power or turn off the breaker before any inspection or attempting repairs.

1. Remove the lower toe kick panel by removing the two fasteners.
2. Turn the plastic fasteners a ¼ turn counterclockwise to unlock them.
3. Remove the panel.
4. Locate the water hookup in the front left corner of the machine.
5. Inspect the water connections and check the floor and hose for dampness. Tighten the hose as needed.

2. CLOGGED DISHWASHER FILTER

Though it’s normal for there to be a small amount of standing water in the dishwasher filter area, if you find more than an inch, it may be clogged. This can lead to improper draining that may cause the water level to rise too high and leak out when overfull.

Checking your filter for clogs and cleaning is a fairly simple and routine task. Learn how to remove, clean and replace a dishwasher filter.

3. USING INCORRECT DETERGENT

Using dish soap in a dishwasher is not recommended and can cause a thick foam of suds that may spill out of the dishwasher door. Unlike dishwasher detergent, which uses enzymes to clean without creating suds, dish soap relies on bubbles for cleaning. This excess foam can lead to leaks, so it's important to use only dishwasher detergent designed for dishwashers.

4. CLOGGED OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED DISHWASHER DRAIN LINE

If you cleaned the dishwasher filter, but your dishwasher still won’t drain, check the drain line. If the line is not installed correctly or clogged, residual water can remain in the bottom of the tub and can cause your dishwasher to leak.

Look under your sink to make sure of the following:

1. The drain hose comes through at the bottom of the cabinet.
2. If you don’t have an air gap, make sure the hose is looped so that it touches the underside of the counter.
3. Check that the drain hose clamp is positioned correctly, as seen in this diagram and in your use and care guide.
4. Have you recently installed a new garbage disposal? Make sure the sink disposer knockout for the dishwasher drain has been removed before operating the dishwasher.

If the drain line appears to be installed correctly, but standing water is still gathering at the bottom of the tub, it may be clogged or the result of a broken drain motor. These are both more complex issues that should only be addressed by a service technician.

5. UNLEVEL DISHWASHER

Make sure that your dishwasher is fully level so that it can perform properly and help prevent water from collecting under it, which could lead to a potential leak.

Place a level against the top front opening of the tub to check that your dishwasher is level from side to side. If the dishwasher is not level, adjust the front legs up or down until it is square in the cabinet and flat on the floor, evenly supported by the leveling legs and rear wheels.

Always reinstall the anti-tip brackets to the counter or side cabinets after making adjustments or reinstalling the dishwasher. Make sure you have the right size rough opening for your dishwasher. Learn more about how to level a dishwasher for peak performance.

6. A DAMAGED DISHWASHER DOOR LATCH OR GASKET

Is your dishwasher leaking from the front or door? Check the door latch—if it’s loose or bent, then it will not close completely and may cause leakage around the door during cycles. You may be able to tighten the latch with a screwdriver if it’s simply loose, but first disconnect all electrical power or turn off the breaker before attempting to make any repairs.

Another possible cause of a leaky door is a loose, cracked or damaged dishwasher gasket, which works to seal the door and keep water from escaping. If it’s loose, it can typically be secured back in place, but if it’s damaged you will need to replace it.

Also, check for items like silverware or large food particles that may be stuck between the door seal and the tub of the dishwasher. This may cause the door to not shut or seal properly.

If the water is below the dishwasher or on the floor and the cause still cannot be found, schedule an appointment with an authorized service technician to perform further inspection and diagnosis of the problem.