Frigidaire Dishwasher Is Leaking and Not Draining

Frigidaire Information

• The basic operations of a Frigidaire dishwasher are the same as just about every other manufacturer's dishwasher. Water enters the dishwasher through the inlet, where it mixes with soap. This soapy water is then pumped up through a sprayer arm, which rotates as it spins and sprays the dishes inside. The dirty water is then pumped out, and the process repeats, only with plain water. A heating element inside the dishwasher then dries the dishes.

Electical Safety

• Before working on your Frigidaire dishwasher, be sure to turn off the power for the appliance. This will help prevent accidental shock, should you touch a live electrical component. Undercounter dishwashers will be tied into the main home circuit. Turn off these types of washers by cutting the power at the main circuit breaker. For a portable model, simply unplug the washer from the outlet where it is connected.

Door Leak

• One place where a Frigidaire could be leaking is around the door. Frigidaire and other dishwasher models have a rubberized seal that helps keep the door watertight during the wash and rinse cycles. If these seals crack or wear out, they can be the cause of a leak. Repair this type of leak by removing the old dishwasher door seal and replacing it with a new one.

Hose Leak

• Another place where a Frigidaire dishwasher can leak is at the inlet. This is where the water supply hose connects to the dishwasher. This connection is usually hidden behind an access panel, called the kick panel, at the base of the dishwasher. Remove the kick panel with a screwdriver to check the supply hose connection. Tighten a loose connection with a wrench. If the hose itself is leaking, turn off the water supply, remove the old hose, and replace it with a new one.

Draining Problems.

• Some Frigidaire models have a screen inside the dishwasher that traps food debris before it enters the drain hose. If this screen becomes clogged, water won't drain from the appliance. Open the door, remove the lower dish rack, and check the screen, which is located on the floor of the dishwasher cabinet. If the screen is clear, the hose may be clogged. Remove the drain hose by loosening the hose clamps at either end. Rinse the hose out with a strong spray from a garden hose, or run a plumber's snake through the hose to clean out anything trapped inside.