A leaking dishwasher is not only inconvenient but also very dangerous. But what causes your dishwasher to leak in the first place? More importantly, how can you fix it?
Let’s talk about all that starting with the question…
Why is your Samsung dishwasher leaking?
The most common causes of dishwasher leaks come from damaged hoses, clogged filters, and faulty inlet valves or drain pumps.
To fix a leak, unplug your dishwasher and verify that the supply and drain hoses are connected tightly. Clean the filter assembly and replace any damaged components.
If this doesn’t resolve the issue, you may be looking at another leak source. Try performing the following steps to fix the problem:
- Make sure that the garbage disposal cap has been removed.
- Loosen the screws securing your dishwasher to the cabinetry.
- Push the rubber seals into alignment.
- Clean the spray arms from excess detergent suds or food waste.
Do you need more to go on? Keep reading below for our detailed guide on troubleshooting leaks.
Important Note: Before you perform any of the steps below, make sure to unplug your dishwasher first. To be certain that there’s no power left, press the power button and ensure it doesn’t light up.
What causes dishwasher leaks and how can you fix them?
There are 11 common causes of a leak in a dishwasher.
- The water supply hose is loose or damaged.
- The water inlet valve is faulty.
- The tub is stretched or bowed.
- The dishwasher door isn’t fully closed.
- The drain hose is loose, bent, or damaged.
- The garbage disposal cap is still intact.
- The door rubber seal is pushed out or worn out.
- The drain filter is clogged or torn.
- The nozzles are either clogged or damaged.
- The drain pump isn’t functioning properly.
- You’re using dishwashing liquid.
With that in mind, here’s a quick overview of some troubleshooting techniques you can perform to resolve each issue.
| Cause | Solution |
| Damaged or Loose Water Supply Hose | Check the connections of your water supply hose and make sure that they are tight on both ends. Look for any holes or damages in the hose and replace it if necessary. |
| Faulty Water Inlet Valve | Uninstall the water inlet valve and check it for continuity. Install a new valve if it’s faulty. |
| Overstretched Tub | Loosen the screws that secure your dishwasher to the cabinetry. Make sure that the tub is no longer bowed and is open at the right measurement. |
| Open Dishwasher Door | Check the door latch of your dishwasher door and make sure that it hooks the door in place. Also, check the leveling legs and adjust them accordingly to prevent your dishwasher from tilting. |
| Unremoved Garbage Disposal Cap | Disconnect the drain hose from the garbage disposal and inspect if the cap is still intact. If it is, knock the cap off using a hammer and a screwdriver. Uninstall the garbage disposal and remove the debris inside to avoid clogging. |
| Damaged or Loose Drain Hose | Inspect your drain hose’s connections on both ends and make sure that they are secured. Look for any damage, holes, or clogs inside the hose that may cause water to spill. |
| Pushed Out or Damaged Rubber Seal | Inspect the rubber seals of your dishwasher door and push them back into alignment if necessary. Replace the rubber seals if you see signs of wear and tear. Install the new seal properly and make sure that there are no gaps where water can slip through. |
| Uncleaned or Torn Drain Filter | Pull out the filter assembly and disassemble the filters. Clean each filter in running water using a soft brush and mild soap. Replace the filters if you see any holes or deformities. |
| Clogged or Damaged Spray Arms | Check the water nozzles or spray arms for clogs and clean them thoroughly. Replace them if they are cracked or damaged as this can cause them to spray water uncontrollably. |
| Dysfunctional Drain Pump | Remove the water pump motor assembly below your dishwasher and take a resistance reading. Replace the pump if it’s damaged. |
| Using Dishwashing Liquid | Wash the tub and get rid of any excess suds caused by dish soap. Make sure to only use dishwasher detergent for your machine. |
And now, let’s dive a little deeper into what triggers these causes and how you can fix them.
Damaged or Loose Water Supply Hose
The water supply hose allows the water from your pipes to enter the inlet valve and flow into your dishwasher.
If the hose has a loose connection on either end, it’s possible for the water to slip through the gaps and leak.
A bent, kinked, or clogged water supply hose will also restrict the flow of water and force it to leak into tiny gaps or holes.
Solution: Remove your dishwasher’s kick panel to access the water supply hose. Prepare a towel and a pan to catch any spilling water when you disconnect the hose from the inlet valve.
Inspect the flow of water and verify if there are any clogs in between. Remove any blockage and reinstall the hose’s connection to the valve securely.
Make sure that there are no bends, gaps, or kinks during the reinstallation. Replace the hose if there are clear signs of damage.
Faulty Water Inlet Valve
The inlet valve regulates the water that’s coming into your dishwasher. If this component becomes faulty, it may keep the entry port open even when it’s turned off.
The valve also has a mesh filter that sifts the dirt from the incoming water. This filter is vulnerable to clogs, especially if your house has a hard water supply.
Both a faulty inlet valve and a clogged mesh filter can cause your dishwasher to leak.
Solution: First, make sure that your dishwasher is unplugged. Unscrew the kick panel below to access the water inlet valve and remove the wire connections.
You’ll then need to test if your valve has continuity. To do so, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Adjust your analog tester to the lowest setting of ohms of resistance. Calibrate the meter by touching the probes together while adjusting the needle to read zero.
- Step 2: Use the probes to touch both terminals.
- Step 3: Check the reading indicated in the tester. If the reading is between 500 – 1500, then the valve is fine. On the other hand, the inlet valve is damaged if the needle does not move at all.
You can also uninstall the entire valve assembly to check for clogging or mechanical issues.
Avoid repairing the valve by yourself. It’s best to have professionals replace it if it’s damaged in any way.
Overstretched Tub
The tub becomes overstretched when your dishwasher is screwed too tightly on the cabinetry. If the tub is bowed on the side, it may create gaps wide enough for water to slip through.
This will also cause your dishwasher door to not close properly, which will result in a leak during the washing cycle.
Solution: Loosen the screws that secure your dishwasher to the cabinetry. Make sure that the opening of the tub is at the right measurement.
Check your user manual to learn the accurate measurement for your dishwasher model.
Open Dishwasher Door
Another likely cause of your dishwasher leak is an unintentionally open door. This usually happens when the latch no longer hooks the door correctly.
Your dishwasher door may also accidentally open if the appliance is tilting. This will cause a leak, especially if the front side of your dishwasher is lower than the rear.
Solution: Test the door latch and check if the strike is still intact. Open the control panel to inspect the latch assembly for any defects.
Also, make sure that the leveling legs on your dishwasher are not damaged. Adjust the legs accordingly so that your dishwasher isn’t tilting forward.
Unremoved Garbage Disposal Cap
Some dishwashers are attached to the garbage disposal to drain wastewater.
If your dishwasher is connected to a garbage disposal system, it is possible that the cap was unremoved during the installation.
When this happens, the wastewater from your dishwasher won’t be able to get out of the drain hose and will spill elsewhere.
Solution: Disconnect the drain hose from the garbage disposal. Gently knock the cap out using a screwdriver and a hammer.
Uninstall your garbage disposal and take out the debris inside. This will help avoid clogging in the future.
Reinstall the garbage disposal and drain hose back in place while making sure that their connections are secure.
Damaged or Loose Drain Hose
The drain hose carries the wastewater out of your dishwasher. If the connection is loose, it might create a gap big enough for water to sneak through.
Leaks can also happen if your drain hose has bends or holes in between. Clogs caused by food residue, debris, or frozen water are also likely causes of the drain hose leaking.
Solution: Inspect your drain hose and look for bends or kinks. If the drain hose is straight, disconnect it from both ends and test it for clogs.
To do this, you can use a flashlight to check inside the hose or pour some water to see if it can flow freely from end to end.
Clear the drain from any clogs and reinstall it properly. Make sure that the dishwasher isn’t sitting on top of the hose and that the connection is secure.
Pushed Out or Damaged Rubber Seal
The rubber seal in your dishwasher door prevents water from leaking outside during the washing cycle. It helps keep the water inside no matter how strong the pressure is.
However, since they are made of rubber, the seals are vulnerable to damage. It is also possible the rubber seal is simply pushed out of alignment.
Either way, a worn-out or misaligned rubber seal will cause water to leak through the dishwasher door.
Solution: Check the rubber seals on your dishwasher door to see if they are still intact and in good condition. Push them back in alignment if necessary.
Replace the rubber seals if they are severely worn out. Luckily, they are not very expensive and can be installed quite easily.
Uncleaned or Torn Drain Filter
The drain filter in your dishwasher needs to be cleaned regularly. This helps prevent large food residue and debris from lodging in the components below, causing bigger problems.
An unclean filter will stop wastewater from draining properly. This will cause standing water left at the bottom of your dishwasher to leak through the door or the base.
Solution: Pull out your filter assembly and clean it. If you’re unfamiliar with how to do this, follow the steps below.
- Step 1: Open your dishwasher door and pull out the lower racks.
- Step 2: Hold the propeller down and turn the filter assembly counterclockwise.
- Step 3: Pull out the filter assembly gently and disassemble the filters.
- Step 4: Clean the filters thoroughly in running water using a soft brush and mild soap.
Be careful not to damage the filter screens when cleaning them. Poking a hole in the screens may create a gap for larger food residue to sneak through and clog the drain motor.
Clogged or Damaged Spray Arms
The spray arms can be clogged by food waste or excess detergent suds. It is also possible that they were damaged by broken glass pieces or other debris.
When this happens, the water streaming out of the nozzles may be redirected to the dishwasher door itself.
This will cause a leak if your dishwasher door is slightly open, bowed, or the rubber seals have created a gap large enough for water to pass through.
Solution: Check the spray arms for any signs of damage. If they are fine, look for any clogs in the opening where water is supposed to come out and clean them.
Replace the spray arms if they are already damaged.
Dysfunctional Drain Pump
The drain pump is responsible for forcing the water out of your dishwasher. If the pump is damaged, it will result in standing water inside your appliance, which will cause leaking.
There are some signs that tell you if your drain pump is already damaged.
On top of standing water in the tub, a low humming sound means that the impeller inside the pump isn’t turning. A loud squeal means that the pump’s bearing is worn out.
Solution: First, locate your drain pump and remove the entire assembly. Then, check if each component is working properly.
- Drain Impeller. Test if the impeller can move freely. When you try to spin it, it should have a jerky motion because of the magnet.
- Drain Solenoid and Motor. Test your drain solenoid and motor for continuity using a multimeter.
Use a multimeter on Rx1 mode and connect the probes to the terminals. If they are working, you should get a reading of zero or nearly zero.
- Check Valve. Make sure that the valve can move freely and is free from blockages. Replace it if it’s damaged.
Replace the drain pump if the impeller, solenoid, or motor is damaged. Make sure to order the exact replacement pump for your dishwasher model.
Using Dishwashing Liquid
Dishwashing liquids or dish soaps may sound like a fine alternative, but they are designed for handwashing, not for dishwashers.
Using dish soap creates too many suds inside the tub, which reduces your dishwasher’s cleaning and drying performance. Moreover, the soapy residue can escape the tub and cause leaks.
Solution: Clean your tub and wash off any excess suds.
Verify that the detergent you’re buying and using is designed for dishwasher use. Double-check the name on the label to make sure.
Also, avoid using too much detergent. This will cause problems similar to what happens when using an inappropriate detergent for your dishwasher.
You should be able to stop the leak in your dishwasher by following the steps above. But if you find some of the steps too overwhelming, there’s nothing wrong with asking your local appliance repair expert for help!
