Dishwasher Leaking
Common causes and checks you can carry out at home before calling an engineer.
🛑 Act immediately — Switch off at the mains and turn off the water supply tap under the sink as soon as you notice a leak. Mop up standing water before investigating.
Common Causes
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Worn or Damaged Door Seal
The most common cause of a front leak. The rubber door seal can crack, harden or become misaligned over time, allowing water to escape during the cycle. Inspect the seal all the way around the door.
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Too Much or Wrong Detergent
Too much detergent or a product not designed for automatic dishwashers produces excessive foam that can overflow through the door seal and appear as a front leak.
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Loose or Damaged Inlet Hose
A loose connection or split in the water inlet hose at the back of the machine will cause water to leak from the rear during the fill phase of the cycle.
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Loose or Damaged Drain Hose
A loose or split drain hose connection can cause water to leak from the back of the machine during the draining phase of the cycle.
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Blocked Filter Causing Overflow
A severely blocked filter can prevent water from draining from the tub, causing it to overflow through the door seal and appear as a front leak.
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Faulty Door Latch
If the door latch is not holding the door firmly closed during the cycle, water can escape through the gap. The door must be held shut securely throughout the entire cycle.
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Flood Protection Device Triggered
Many dishwashers have a flood protection device in the base. If water has leaked internally and collected in the base tray, the machine will stop and may display an error code. This requires professional attention to remove the water and identify the source of the internal leak.
Checks To Try Before Calling An Engineer
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Check the Door Seal
Inspect the rubber door seal for any visible cracks, tears or debris. Clean it thoroughly and check that it is sitting correctly in its groove all the way around the door.
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Check the Detergent
Ensure you are using dishwasher-specific detergent at the correct dosage. Never use washing up liquid in a dishwasher — it produces excessive foam that will cause leaking.
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Check the Hose Connections
Inspect the inlet and drain hose connections at the back of the machine. Ensure both are firmly seated and check the hoses themselves for any cracks or splits.
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Clean the Filter
Remove and clean the filter from the bottom of the tub to ensure water can drain freely and is not backing up through the door seal.
Browse by Brand
Select your dishwasher brand for leak-related error codes and specific fault guides.
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When to call a professional — If the leak persists after the above checks, or if the flood protection device has been triggered, there is likely an internal fault requiring professional diagnosis. Do not continue to use a leaking dishwasher.
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