Today, I will be helping you answer a fairly common dishwasher question: “Why is my dishwasher leaking from underneath?”
And of course, I will also tell you what you can do to pinpoint and fix the part that is acting up.
So, read on to know how you can quickly fix a dishwasher leaking from underneath problem…
Why is my dishwasher leaking from underneath? (Plus how you can fix it)
Without further ado, below are the possible causes (and solutions) for a dishwasher leaking from underneath:
The water supply line (water inlet hose) might be damaged
To be more specific, the hose might be torn.
This could be due to normal wear and tear or some rodent having nipped on it.
Usually, this will cause water to start dripping from this point… The water will drip to the bottom of the dishwasher and eventually flow from underneath the dishwasher.
How you can fix the problem
Of course, you will start by carefully inspecting the inlet hose for any signs of damage.
To make this troubleshooting step easier, be sure to have the water faucet fully open – water should start leaking through the faulty part.
Once you identify the faulty part, you can opt to patch it up or order a replacement hose depending on the extent of the damage.
The drainage system might be clogged
And, this is resulting in a water backflow.
Over time, this water will overfill and start leaking – either through the front or underneath (depending on the location of the clog).
Having that in mind, be sure to remove any clogs that might be inside the circulation pump and drain pump.
In addition to that, inspect and remove any clogs that might be inside the drain hose… This includes straightening out any kinks that might be along the hose.
A component of the drainage system might be worn out
In turn, this will result in water leaking and flowing to the bottom of the dishwasher before it starts flowing from underneath.
Pro tip: If the water leaking from your dishwasher is dirty, chances are that the drainage system is to blame.
Possible solutions you can try
Since the drain hose is the easiest, start by making sure that it does not have any tears.
A good way to test this is to run a drain cycle – if the hose is worn out, water will begin leaking from the bad part.
So, if the drain hose has worn out, you will need to get a replacement hose.
Fortunately, drain hoses are universal – see current prices for a replacement drain hose.
On the other hand, if the hose looks good, chances are that the drain pump is to blame.
To troubleshoot the pump, start by removing any clogs that might be in there.
Next, confirm that the motor is running during the drainage cycle… If it is not, test it for around 120v AC (across its terminals) while running a drain cycle.
Finally, check the pump for any signs of damage (cracks) along it.
If the pump motor does not run or the pump assembly has cracks, it means that the drain pump assembly is bad.
In this case, your best bet is to swap out the pump with a good one.
To make your work easier, we have compiled a list of replacement pumps for some common dishwasher models:
| Dishwasher model | Replacement drain pump |
| LG | Order it on Amazon |
| GE | Order it on Amazon |
| Samsung | Order it on Amazon |
| Whirlpool, KitchenAid | Order it on Amazon |
| Frigidaire, Electrolux | Order it on Amazon |
| Kenmore | Order it on Amazon |
| Bosch | Order it on Amazon |
| Maytag | Order it on Amazon |
The water inlet valve might be bad
Usually, the water inlet valve might be faulty in one of two ways:
- It is loose.
- It has cracked.
Whichever the case, it will result in water dripping underneath your dishwasher.
So, how can you fix it?
Start by carefully inspecting it to see if it is loose or if it has signs of cracking.
If it is loose, you can try tightening it a little bit… You can also use some thread seal or Teflon tape to help tighten the valve.
On the other hand, if the valve is cracked, you will need to replace it.
Fortunately, most replacement valves range between $15 and $30 depending on the dishwasher’s brand – you can see current prices for some notable brands in the market below:
| Dishwasher model | Replacement water inlet valve |
| LG | See current price on Amazon |
| GE | See current price on Amazon |
| Samsung | See current price on Amazon |
| Whirlpool, KitchenAid | See current price on Amazon |
| Frigidaire, Electrolux | See current price on Amazon |
| Kenmore | See current price on Amazon |
| Bosch | See current price on Amazon |
| Maytag | See current price on Amazon |
The tub might be cracked
Over time, the stainless-steel tub might begin to lose its anti-corrosive coating.
This is more so if you are fond of using the wrong washing detergent.
Once the tub loses this anti-corrosive coating, high chances are that the tub will start rusting. And, with time, this rust might eat up the metal until it eventually forms a hole in there.
So, carefully inspect the wash tub for any signs of damage.
If the dishwasher is leaking due to a hole in the tub, my advice would be to get a new dishwasher.
This is because the entire process of replacing the tub will cost you almost the same price as a new dishwasher (if not more).
Pro tip: If you note that your dishwasher is always leaking even when it is not running, a faulty tub is usually one of the suspects.
Why is my dishwasher leaking from underneath – recap
Usually, a dishwasher that is leaking from underneath is due to one of the following:
- A bad water supply line.
- A bad water inlet valve.
- Presence of clogs in the drainage system.
- A component of the drainage system is worn out.
- A cracked tub.
So, be sure to check the above parts when fixing a dishwasher that is leaking from underneath.