Dish Washer Is Leaking From Under the Front Door

Soap

• The wrong kind or too much soap can cause the dishwasher to leak from the door. Dish soap meant for hand washing creates too many suds for the dishwasher to handle. Stop the dishwasher partway through a cycle when it is leaking and open the door. Check if there is more than one-half inch of soap bubbles or suds. If so, soap is the leak’s likely cause. Try switching brands and only use soap designed for dishwashers.

Gaskets

• Gaskets are the rubber seals around the door’s edge that are designed to keep water in the washtub. A ripped, pinched or loose gasket allows water to leak out the door. If the gasket is damaged, replace it. If it has come loose, reseat it by pressing it back into place. Carefully examine the entire gasket, especially the areas around the leak and the corners, which can easily become loose.

Dispenser

• A loose or worn soap dispenser let water out of the washtub and into the door. This water then leaks out of the door’s bottom. If other causes are eliminated, try removing the door’s interior panel and checking for moisture inside the door around the soap dispenser. The insulation in the door is likely to be damp if that’s the problem. Replacing the soap dispenser with a new one eliminates the leak.

Spray Arm

• Although less common, problems with the spray arm can cause the dishwasher to leak from the door. If the arm has a hole or crack, it may spray water directly toward the door. Since the gaskets are not designed to withstand high-pressure spray, the water makes its way past the seals. Examine the spray arms carefully. Even the smallest hole or crack can cause problems. If the spray arm is damaged, it needs replacement.