April 20, 2023

Dishwasher: Why is my dishwasher leaking?

Don't ignore a leak from your dishwasher--water can quickly damage your flooring or subflooring. If water leaks from the bottom of the door, a damaged or stuck spray arm could be causing a wave action inside the washer tub that has water sloshing over the front lip of the tub. Check the spray arms for damage and make sure they spin freely after loading the dishwasher. Other causes of leaks from around the front door include a loose or broken door hinge and a damaged door seal.

Leaks under the dishwasher can be caused by a leaking drain line, broken heating element water seal, leaking pump and motor assembly or leak in the water inlet assembly.

For more help finding the source of the leak, check out our dishwasher leaks troubleshooting video.

THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR DISHWASHER PROBLEM

Replace the dishwasher door seal

Replace the door seal, or tub gasket, if you find water leaking from the opening to the tub. Water usually leaks from the lower sides of the dishwasher door when the tub gasket is leaking. The tub gasket can be damaged or worn out and is usually visibly damaged if it needs to be replaced.

Dishwasher door seal

Find the required part specific to your product.

October 01, 2016

By Lyle Weischwill

How to replace a dishwasher door seal

Water seeping through the edges of the dishwasher could mean it's time to replace the door seal, also called a tub gasket. It's a pretty easy DIY job. This repair guide and video explain how to do it.

Repair difficulty

Time required

15 minutes or less

Replace the dishwasher drain line

Replace the drain line--also called the drain hose--if it develops a hole or tear. Holes in the drain hose cause the dishwasher to leak, especially when the dishwasher is draining.

Dishwasher drain line

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-DISH-Replace-Dishwasher-Drain-Hose-Intro-Image

April 01, 2014

By Lyle Weischwill

How to replace a dishwasher drain hose

Water leaking from under a dishwasher could mean the drain hose cracked or split. This step-by-step DIY repair guide shows you how to replace a leaking drain hose.

Repair difficulty

Time required

30 minutes or less

Replace the dishwasher heating element

Replace the dishwasher heating element if it's visibly broken or not heating properly. If the heating element isn't visibly broke, check for a wiring failure, control failure or a blown fuse in the heating circuit before replacing the heating element--those issues could also be responsible for the heating element not working properly. You’ll also need to replace the heating element if broken element water seals allow water to leak through the bottom of the tub.

Dishwasher heating element

Find the required part specific to your product.

October 01, 2016

By Lyle Weischwill

How to replace a dishwasher heating element

Your dishwasher gives some clear clues if the dishwasher's heating element stops working: the water doesn't get hot (no steamy kitchen) or your dishes don't dry. You can replace the heating element in less than an hour, following the steps in this DIY repair guide and video.

Repair difficulty

Time required

45 minutes or less

Replace the dishwasher circulation pump and motor assembly

Several situations can require the replacing the circulation pump and motor assembly in a dishwasher. If the motor on the circulation pump fails, then the dishwasher pump won't run at all. Sometimes the motor runs but doesn't generate water pressure through the spray arms, because the damaged impeller or pump housing is damaged. The pump housing and/or the seals could also deteriorate or become damaged, causing the dishwasher to leak. Problems inside the pump and motor assembly can create abnormal noises in the dishwasher. In all these situations, the pump and motor usually must be replaced.

Dishwasher circulation pump and motor assembly

Find the required part specific to your product.

October 01, 2016

By Lyle Weischwill

How to replace a dishwasher circulation pump and motor assembly

When the dishwasher spray arm won't spray, the problem could be the circulation pump or the pump motor. Installing a new dishwasher circulation pump and motor assembly costs about as much as just replacing the motor, and is easier. This DIY repair guide with video shows how to replace a dishwasher circulation pump that's not working.

Repair difficulty

Time required

15 minutes or less

Replace the dishwasher water inlet assembly

The water inlet assembly is an apparatus that is mounted to the side of the dishwasher tub near the water inlet valve. It receives water from the water inlet valve and directs it into the dishwasher tub through a vented opening. If the vent or the connecting hose is clogged, then the inlet assembly will need to be repaired or replaced.

Dishwasher water inlet assembly

Find the required part specific to your product.

Replace the dishwasher door hinge

The dishwasher door hinge is attached to a spring. It pivots on a pin to allow the door to open and close in a controlled manner. If the door hinge is damaged, it won't allow the door to open and close properly. In that situation, replace the door hinge.