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DISHWASHER FAULTS

Dishwasher Leaking

Dishwasher leaks commonly come from the door seal, inlet hose, drain hose, pump, sump, overfilling or internal hose connections.

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Switch off, unplug and close the water supply before dismantling the appliance

Dishwashers combine mains electricity, hot water and hidden pumps. Stop using the machine if it leaks, trips the electrics, smells burnt or contains sharp broken glass.

MOST LIKELY CAUSES

Start with these

Door seal fault Damage or debris allows water past the edge.
Hose or connection leak Supply and drain hoses may loosen or split.
Pump or sump leak Seals beneath the tub can fail.
Overfilling A float, inlet valve or level sensor may allow too much water.
◫ Symptom variations Match the exact point in the wash cycle. ⌄
  • Water at front of machine
  • Leak only during draining
  • Water beneath adjacent cabinet
  • Machine activates anti-flood mode
  • Leak appears during fill
✓ Quick checks Simple checks before removing panels. ⌄
  1. Note the exact cycle stage when the fault appears.
  2. Record any error code before switching off.
  3. Check filters, spray arms, hoses and visible water connections.
  4. Confirm the appliance is level and correctly loaded.
  5. Unplug before touching filters, hoses or internal parts.
If the cause is external: correct the hose, filter, loading or supply fault and test carefully.
If electrical, pump or internal leaks are suspected: stop and call an appliance engineer.
1 Step 1 — Stop the cycle and isolate power and water Switch off and unplug before removing filters, hoses or panels. ⌄

Process

Unplug the machine and close the supply valve.

Success looks like: Further leakage is limited.
Escalate when: If water is near the socket, isolate the circuit only if safe.
2 Step 2 — Dry and trace the leak timing Switch off and unplug before removing filters, hoses or panels. ⌄

Process

Note whether it appears during fill, wash or drain.

Success looks like: The likely system is narrowed down.
Escalate when: Avoid repeated full cycles.
3 Step 3 — Inspect external seals and hoses Switch off and unplug before removing filters, hoses or panels. ⌄

Process

Check the door seal, inlet hose and drain connection.

Success looks like: A visible fault is found.
Escalate when: Internal leaks require appliance access.
⌁ Common causes explained Why dishwasher faults develop. ⌄

Dishwasher leaks commonly come from the door seal, inlet hose, drain hose, pump, sump, overfilling or internal hose connections.

The stage of the cycle is the main clue. Fill faults happen at the start, circulation faults during washing, heater faults once the wash is underway, and pump faults during draining.

⌘ Advanced diagnostics Appliance-engineer checks and repair work. ⌄
  • Inspect sump and circulation pump seals.
  • Check dispenser and internal hoses.
  • Test inlet valve for overfilling.
  • Inspect float and anti-flood system.
  • Run a controlled service test after repair.
▣ Parts that may need replacing Common components linked to this fault. ⌄
  • Door seal
  • Inlet hose
  • Drain hose
  • Pump seal
  • Float switch
! When to call an appliance engineer Conditions that should end basic troubleshooting. ⌄
  • The dishwasher trips the electrics.
  • Water leaks from inside the cabinet.
  • The circulation or drain pump is grinding or seized.
  • Internal electrical testing is required.
  • The appliance must be dismantled to reach the fault.
  • The same fault returns after basic checks.
? Frequently asked questions Common dishwasher questions. ⌄

Why is there a small amount of water below the filter?

A small amount can be normal on some models. Standing dirty water above the filter usually indicates a drainage fault.

Why are plastics still wet after the cycle?

Plastic retains less heat than glass or ceramic, so some moisture is normal even when the drying system works.

Should I keep resetting the electrics if the dishwasher trips?

No. Unplug it and arrange electrical fault testing.