Frigidaire Dishwasher Leaking During a Cycle

Door Latch

• One common reason for leaks in the dishwasher is the latch that seals the door shut before the wash. A faulty door latch will cause the door to jar slightly during the washing cycle and even break the gasket seal on the door that keeps water inside the washtub. The result is water that leaks out from the sides and the bottom of the dishwasher intermittently throughout the wash. This can cause additional problems with dishwashers that have a door sensor that shuts down the washer every time the door opens slightly; the frequent stopping and starting can put stress on the motor. If a faulty door latch is the suspected problem, call a professional service technician for repair or replacement options.

Gasket

• The door of a dishwasher is also equipped with another barrier that keeps water from spilling out, which is the gasket. This barrier is a small plastic strip that runs along the rim of the dishwasher and provides a suction seal that keeps the door in place during a wash. Over time, the gasket loses its flexibility and can even crack or break. When this happens, water pressure pushes on the door and sometimes spills out onto the floor, even when the door latch is secure. Door gaskets are easily replaceable by removing the old gasket and carefully placing the new gasket over the impression left by the previous sealer. Ensure the gasket is properly aligned; misaligned door seals can also cause leaks.

On the Level

• Like any appliance, the dishwasher is affected by how it sits on the floor. A tilted dishwasher can put strain on one side of the dishwasher sending a jet of water that can even overload the gasket. Several Frigidaire model dishwashers have small adjustable feet on the bottom of the unit. Units without adjustable feet are leveled with pads or leveling mounts.

Detergent

• Sometimes, the detergent used in the wash is not compatible with the local water supply. While often this results in undissolved detergent on the dishes, in the case of soft water the amount of suds can overload the space in a dishwasher washtub. This sends soapy water streaming out of the sides of the washer. Reducing the amount of detergent in the wash or changing detergent brands can prevent this issue.