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Dishwasher leaking

If you see foam, suspect hand dish soap first. Otherwise, check levelling, loading and the hose connections. If water is coming from underneath, turn off the supply valve first.

5 checks, quickest firstAbout 52 minutes if you do them allLast checked against its sources on

Fix Finder

Fix Finder: dishwasher leaking

Work through the checks below, in order.

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Before you start

  • Before reaching into the tub or under the sink: switch the dishwasher off at the circuit breaker.
  • Before touching any hose or connection: turn off the water valve under the sink.
  • Let the dishwasher cool after a cycle; the water and heating element can be hot.
  • Wear gloves when clearing filters. Broken glass ends up there.

More in appliance repair safety basics.

All the checks, in order

  1. Clear suds from dish soap

    Safe to tryAbout 20 min

    Hand dish soap foams out through the door seal.

    1. Press Cancel or open the door to stop the cycle.
    2. Mop up the floor so water doesn’t soak into cabinets, then take the dishes out.
    3. Pour about ¼ cup of vegetable oil into the bottom of the tub to break down the foam.
    4. Run a quick cycle with no detergent and no dishes. Repeat if suds remain.
    5. Use only automatic dishwasher detergent from now on.

  2. Check level and door alignment

    Safe to tryAbout 5 min

    A dishwasher that isn’t level can let water run out of the door.

    1. Check the dishwasher sits level and the door lines up when closed.

  3. Load carefully

    Safe to tryAbout 2 min

    Large items can hold water and spill it, or push against the door.

    1. Load large items upside down.
    2. Make sure nothing sticks out past the racks into the door.

  4. Clean the door seal

    Safe to tryAbout 5 min

    Food stuck on the seal stops it closing tight.

    1. Wipe the rubber door seal with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
    2. Look for tears. A torn seal needs replacing.

  5. Check the water connection

    Take careAbout 20 min

    A loose connection under the dishwasher leaks every time it fills.

    1. Turn off power at the breaker and the water valve under the sink.
    2. Take off the kick panel at the bottom front, as your manual describes, to reach the water connection.
    3. Check the rubber washer is seated. Hand-tighten the coupling, then give it ¼ to ½ turn with pliers.
    4. Check the drain hose is connected securely at both ends.

When to call a technician

  • Water keeps appearing from underneath after these checks.
  • A leak or drip-tray code appears, such as Whirlpool F8 E4, F8 E5 or GE 999.
  • Water keeps running into the dishwasher when it’s off. Turn the supply valve off now.

Error codes that point here

If your dishwasher shows one of these, open it for the brand’s exact meaning.

Whirlpool F8 E4Water in the drip trayWhirlpool F8 E5Fill valve stuck openGE 999Leak detected, or control needs a resetSamsung LCLeak detectedSamsung OCToo much water (overfill)LG AELeak or overfill detectedLG bEToo many suds

Questions

Why does vegetable oil stop dishwasher suds?

Whirlpool recommends about ¼ cup of cooking oil in the tub, then a quick cycle with no detergent, to break down foam from dish soap.

Sources

  1. Leaking: Underneath: Dishwasher, Whirlpool Product Help
  2. LG Dishwasher: Guide to Error Codes, LG USA Support
  3. Removing Odors in your Dishwasher, Whirlpool Product Help
  4. Dishwasher Error Codes: Reading, Whirlpool Product Help
  5. Dishwasher: Error, Fault or Function Codes, GE Appliances Support
Last checked against its sources on